35
JULY 2013
ACT
INDUSTRIAL CRANES
PRODUCT FOCUS
but we expect to expand and enjoy the
resurgence of the general industrial crane
market,” says Bailey. “The niche markets
that have the greatest need include nuclear,
aerospace, food manufacturing – basically
those that can’t tolerate exhaust emissions,
the carbon monoxide, the smell or the
soot.”
The 9-ton capacity Bailey IC18 is the
company’s latest model. This crane
has a pick and carry capacity of 11,700
pounds and an 18,000-pound capacity on
outriggers. It features four-wheel steering,
a rated load indicator, regenerative braking
and operates on 80-volt battery power.
For the short term, hybrid or electric
power markets are small, but in the longer
term, Bailey predicts larger sales and rental
markets will switch to these products.
“The markets will switch primarily
because we have removed the fear of
being ‘stranded’ with a battery powered
machine,” he says. “But with the addition
of our Hybrid Charging Engine, one
push of a button and the machine will
run continuous. When running in
battery mode, our machines do not
produce greenhouse gasses. We are
environmentally friendly. We also are
the only manufacturer to offer a (hybrid)
engine that runs on Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG). CNG is the cleanest fuel,
cleaner than LP and is approximately 30
percent less expensive for the same energy
unit.”
Bailey Cranes also offers UL-EE
compliance where the machine is
approved for operation in Class I, Division
2 hazardous locations.
Thus far, Bailey says customers in
California have expressed the most
interest in electric powered cranes due to
the stiff restrictions on emissions in that
state. Bailey Cranes has an agreement
with Broderson for conversion to battery/
hybrid operation of their industrial cranes.
Additionally, Bailey does conversions for
the high capacity Mobilifts and TwinLifts
manufactured by Lift Systems.
“We see a huge demand for our product,”
he says. “Our plan is to capture 10 percent
of the market within three years and 50
percent in five years.”
Heavy duty lifters
Lift Systems offers industrial pick and
carry machines that are compact but can
still do heavy duty lifting. Ben Forster says
the market for Mobilifts, Twinlifts and
Riggers brand TriLifters are strong.
“Business is good and we have a steady
backlog,” he says. “We see the market as
ever increasing.”
Lift System’s line of industrial pick
and carry machines range from 7.5 ton
capacity to 110-ton capacity.
“Our machines don’t require outriggers
like the carry deck cranes,” he says. “Most
of our models offer 90-degree steering.”
The market for Lift Systems’ line includes
rigging companies and manufacturers that
purchase an industrial hoist truck rather
than an overhead crane.
“We’ve been selling more machines
into permanent installations where
the companies are using our types of
machines in lieu of an overhead crane,”
he says. “They are buying our machines
rather than investing in the infrastructure
of the building. Our units are portable and
if they change facilities they can take the
high profile refineries and petrochemical
facilities. It’s only a matter of time before
older machines are banned, he says.
“These older units don’t have LMI
systems or anti-two block systems
you find on today’s cranes,” says
Robertson. “Right now, the market
is predominately controlled by the
antiquated Galion machine. It will just
take time for the owners to replace these
older models with the newer machines
that are safer, have all the modern features
you would want, plus creature comforts
like air-conditioners, nice seats and cabs.
The newest model in the Manitex/
Badger small capacity crane line is the
CD90i, which was designed to compete
in the carry deck segment. The Manitex
CD90i will go head to head against
Broderson and Grove Yardboss and
Shuttlelift carry decks, Robertson says.
The CD90i was designed to lift loads
that can’t easily be reached by a traditional
crane or forklift. The 9-ton cab-down
crane is easy to maneuver in cramped
machine shops or shipyards and with
its innovative outrigger system can be
positioned close to the load.
Robertson says it’s the only 9-ton crane
on the market that allows for lifting a full
load and moving it 360 degrees at five feet
radius. The crane feature a three-section,
full power boom that extends 11.55 to
25.40 feet.
Hybrid market heats up
Jeff Bailey is president of Bailey Cranes,
which specializes in manufacturing
battery-powered and hybrid canes;
battery and hybrid conversions of new
and used cranes; as well as custom crane
engineering, structural design and
analysis.
“The niche markets are keeping us busy
grade
The Manitex Badger
M150 cab-down has
a rated capacity of 15
tons and was designed
for oil and gas and
refinery applications.
The 9-ton capacity Bailey Crane IC18 has a
pick and carry capacity of 11,700 pounds
and an 18,000-pound capacity on outriggers.
