34
ACT
JULY 2013
PRODUCT FOCUS
INDUSTRIAL CRANES
T
he market for compact cranes is
growing again, finally. Industrial
cranes, cab-down cranes and
mini-cranes have seen a spike in demand
over the last couple of years, according to
the OEMs.
John Bair, industrial crane product
specialist for Manitowoc Cranes, says
the market has been strong in the second
quarter of 2013, and the third quarter is
looking stronger yet.
“Quote activity has been very positive
as of late and we feel this recent activity
will materialize into additional orders
for this year and continue into 2014,” he
says. “We offer a comprehensive range
of models from 8.5 tons to 25 tons that
are designed to not only meet the needs
of our domestic customers but also our
customers around the world. Specifically,
we offer CE certification for the European
market.”
Demand for Shuttlelift and Yard Boss
units comes from the petroleum, wind
and auto industries.
“Industrial cranes are commonly used in
assisting larger cranes by moving product
into staging areas,” Bair says. “Demand has
been very strong with rental companies all
across North America. We’ve also seen an
increase in business from dealers located
in the southern states as of late.”
Manitowoc’s best-selling units are the
9-ton YB4409-2/Shuttlelift 3339, and
the 15-ton YB5515-2/Shuttlelift 5515-2.
The YB4409-2/Shuttlelift 3339 features
a three-section, full
power, 32-foot, 10-inch
boom with a 14,000
pound maximum deck
carrying capacity. The
YB5515-2/Shuttlelift 5515-2
was recently redesigned to
offer two full power boom
options.
The latest model to be
introduced to the Yardboss product line
is the 20-ton capacity YB5520/Shuttlelift
5520. It features a 54.5-foot, four-section,
full powered boom.
None of Manitowoc’s industrial crane
models are electric, although Bair says the
company monitors demand for electric or
hybrid versions.
“We have reviewed the viability of
an electric powered industrial crane
and at this time there hasn’t been an
overwhelming demand due to the added
cost involved with electric power,” he says.
“However, we will continue to monitor the
market.”
Product development spree
For more than 50 years, the Badger,
Little Giant and CF Lifter line of
products have made an impact on the
industrial crane market. A few years ago,
Manitex International purchased Badger
Equipment, and this has been a good
thing for the company and its products.
Manitex and Badger have been on a
product development spree. Currently
Manitex and Badger are dual-branding
cab down and carry deck cranes as
Manitex/Badger.
Badger’s CD4415/Manitex M150 is just
over 11 feet tall. It has a lifting capacity of
15 tons at a 10 foot working radius. The
maximum boom length is 62.5 feet and
the maximum tip height is 87.5 feet (when
equipped with optional jib). It has a three-
section hydraulic full power boom and a
7,500 pound maximum line pull.
“This machine targets the aging Galion
150A population,” says Randy Robertson,
director of sales and marketing. “It’s
designed mainly as a rental unit, and it
features all the current technology and
safety features you would want for these
applications.”
Cab-down Galion cranes have not been
produced since about 2000. Robertson
says the Badger CD4415/Manitex
M150 is gaining market
recognition. Many of the
older Galion cranes are
no longer certifiable and
they present safety issues for
D.Ann Shiffler
reports
that the small-but-stout
industrial/mini-crane class
is making its mark.
Making the
An indicator of the strength of the rental
market for cab-down cranes can be seen
in the Aiken, S.C. facility of WHECO Corp.
Since March 2013, WHECO has been
restoring Galion cranes for a major U.S.
crane rental company.
“We are performing a Service
Life Extension Project (SLEP) to ten
150F Galions at a time,” says Ron
Williams, chairman of WHECO. “This
customer selected WHECO to provide
a remanufacturing form of SLEP. The
reman program provides for 100 percent
of the crane to be rebuilt to a like-new
condition, with either new parts or parts
remanufactured to a like-new condition.”
The most popular Galion for restoration
is the 150F, although WHECO has provided
SLEP services for older model Galions. The
big question is why did the owner decide to
invest in restoring old units rather than buy
new ones?
“The Galion 150F has long been the down-
cab standard crane in oil refineries,” says
Williams. “The decision to perform a SLEP
to these crane is made based on two main
reasons. Number one is market demand
in that the rental customer will usually
request the Galion 150F crane because of
its simple, low-tech design, and operators
are familiar with the Galion. Second, the
Galion is a relatively low cost and simple
crane, ILO of replacement with a new down
cab crane of equal rating, so the ROI and
relatively low cost of maintenance is very
attractive to the crane owner.”
Most of the cranes WHECO is restoring
are about 15 years old. Galion units have
Grove’s
newest carry
deck crane
is the 20-ton
capacity
YB5520/
Shuttlelift
5520.
GALION BONANZA
Valla’s best-selling crane is
its 2.5 ton capacity 25E.
Most Galion units that come to WHECO’s
shop are no longer certifiable.
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