Terex warns on counterfeit cranes

Lattice boom crawler cranes, particularly the CC 2500-1, are being copied by pirate manufacturers, it says.

The units are assembled, branded and sold as used Terex cranes well under market value. The majority of the counterfeit crane models reported to Terex Cranes tend to be commonly painted red and use the manufacturer’s legacy Demag brand. The primary markets of concern in this most recent wave of crane pirating are the Asian countries of China, South Korea, Singapore, India and Pakistan.

"We are aware of three different ‘designs’ of the CC 2500-1 crane on the market, and there are at least nine or 10 fake cranes that have been sold, all originating from China," said Klaus Meissner, director of product integrity for Terex Cranes. "This is a serious situation, and, not only because this infringes on our intellectual property but, more importantly, it poses a serious safety risk for our customers. The use of these inferior, counterfeit cranes can result in deadly consequences."

While made to look like Terex units, the pirated cranes are often assembled with a blend of older and newer technology and components that were not designed to work together. These counterfeit cranes frequently exhibit poor weld quality, inferior steel structures and improperly fitted tracks, Mr Meissner said. Additionally, many of the safety components designed into a genuine Terex crane are missing.

"Unfortunately going by serial number alone will not determine with certainty if the purchaser is buying a genuine Terex crane, as these plates can be fake as well,” added Mr Meissner. "Many of the counterfeit cranes were purchased either without an on-site inspection or through an inspection conducted by an unqualified person.”

Meissner also offers one additional bit of advice to those entering the used crane market. "If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,” he says. “Call us, and we will be happy to assist you in verifying that it is a genuine Terex crane."

If you are unsure about the authenticity of a used Terex crane that you have bought or might buy, email terexcranes.brandcheck@terex.com.

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