45
FEBRUARY 2014
ACT
PLANNING GUIDE
CONEXPO
efficient operation and control; the swing
system is controlled by a separate closed
loop hydrostatic transmission for swing
performance. The travel system features
2‐speed track drives with maximum
speeds of 1.6 mph and a maximum
unladen gradability of 52 percent.
Manitowoc/Grove
The Manitowoc booth, which has been
expanded to 37,800 square feet in 2014,
ANOTHER SUPER BOWL
“It’s the Super Bowl of our business.”
That’s how Dan Mardian, president
of Marco Crane & Rigging, described
ConExpo. For him, the every-three year
show is a highlight, and he has fond
memories of his times at the tradeshow.
“It reminds me of being a kid and going
to the fair or the circus,” he said. “I get to
see all this new stuff and that’s exciting
to me because it’s my career and it’s my
hobby. Plus, I get to see friends, whether
they are friends in the business, vendors
or competitors, who I don’t get to see all
the time. You get to eat good food, take a
few days off. I think of it fondly.”
Before ConExpo, Mardian maps out
the equipment he wants to see, which is
more than just cranes. He likes to check
out anything that’s new, ranging from GPS
systems to brake components, fittings and
valves.
“I know about half of the cranes that
will be displayed before I get there,” he
said. “But then they always have some
surprises, which is fun.”
Doug Williams, president of Buckner
Companies, enjoys ConExpo for many of
the same reasons.
“I like seeing all the industry players in
a casual setting, which allows friendly
networking,” he said. “While I gravitate to
the crane section, I also enjoy the new and
innovative small tool, rigging and hardware
displays. I like seeing the newest and most
innovative crawler crane developments.”
Williams also mentioned that he likes
attending the KHL Group, (parent company
of
American Cranes and Transport
),
champagne and strawberries gathering.
The 130,000 attendees to the show
are genuinely excited about seeing new
machines and services and determining
how they might fit them into their fleets.
“There are several things that I really
like about Con-Expo,” said Harry Baker,
president of Southwest Industrial Rigging.
“It’s a great place to showcase any new
equipment purchases and have them close
to home to pick up after the show.”
For Baker, that means two new cranes
at the Tadano booth that he will purchase,
the 160-ton GR 1600XL rough terrain
crane and the 400-ton ATF 400G-6.
“I like the ability to see the latest
technology and new equipment that relate
to my business,” said Baker. “Last, but
not least, you get to be involved in the
largest gathering of our industry people
that occurs in the U. S. and see others in
the industry that you don’t often get time
to see.”
lengths of 33.9 feet to 59 feet. There are
also optional 23-foot lattice insert (max 2)
sections. The entire jib system can offset
at 0°, 20°, and 40°, and when fully erected,
gives a maximum tip height of 269 feet.
The GTC‐1200 is powered by a
Cummins Tier 4f, QSL9 diesel engine
rated 350 hp (261 kW) @ 2100 rpm. The
load sensing, power-controlled hydraulic
system optimizes the hydraulic output to
the diesel engine power output for highly
Among the new cranes on the
Manitowoc stand will be the 60-ton
capacity National NBT60, the largest
boom truck ever built by the company.
>46
greatest
