2044 South Vineyard Avenue Ontario, CA 91761 909-930-1822
800 East Grantline Road Tracy, CA 95304 209-830-8600
Stephenson Equipment www.stephensonequipment.com
Harrisburg, PA 800-325-6455
Philadelphia, PA 800-220-4033 Pittsburgh, PA 800-692-7600
Wilkes-Barre, PA 866-667-6756
Opening Fall 2025 Lancaster, PA 800-325-6455
Albany, NY 518-357-2200
Syracuse, NY 800-368-6455
Now Open! Lancaster, PA 800-200-2611
777 Doheny Drive Northville, MI 48167 800-336-4369
Antioch, CA 925-434-0320
Bay Shore, NY 631-416-5070
Cincinnati, OH 513-250-3080
Corona, CA 951-281-2550
Gonzales, LA 225-647-3010
Joliet, IL 815-727-1000
Greenville, SC 864-315-2900
Orlando, FL 407-654-3840
Twinsburg, OH 330-486-0800
Bolton, ON, Canada 905-857-7474 JDC teamjdc.com
La Porte, TX 281-842-8700
Sulphur, LA 337-607-3260
Westfield, MA 413-642-4000
Corpus Christi, TX 361-388-2180
Wharton, NJ 973-206-4300
Whitestown, IN 317-768-2600
Adding Tools, Accessories to Your Vocational Truck Can Take Your Business Further Down the Road
With the Right Upfit REACHING HIGHER
By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT
UPFITTING YOUR VOCATIONAL TRUCK can boost your business and your bottom line. Upfitting can turn your work vehicle into not just another tool but a purpose-built asset; expand the services you can offer; and make your brand shine. The process starts with a plan, a budget, your GVWR and a trusted upfitting partner.
Realistically and practically approaching the build, say upfitting specialists, can mean the difference between a great build and a pricey hit to your wallet.
“Upfitting can be as simple as installing shelving in a van or as complex as building a fully equipped service body,” said Taylor Kraenzel.
That equipment can include toolboxes, cranes, lights and power systems, added Kraenzel, marketing specialist of Ameri-Tech Equipment Company.
What Upfitting Can Do for Your Business
“When you upfit a vocational truck, you’re not just buying a vehicle,” Pape Kenworth writes in a blog post. “You’re building a tool your business will rely on every day.”
The upfit you choose determines your truck’s productivity, safety and profitability, said the company.
Kraenzel believes upfitting is important, number one, because it increases a contractor’s productivity.
work faster and more efficiently.
“Custom storage, built-in power sources and accessible tools save time on every job,” Kraenzel said in a blog post.
“In the field, every minute counts — upfitting can mean fewer delays and more completed work orders.”
Upfitting helps a contractor maximize safety on the road and on the job. A well-configured truck isn’t just efficient, it’s safer, said Kraenzel.
Tool storage, warning lights, back-up cameras and emergency lighting reduce the risk of accidents both on the road and on the job site.
Proper upfitting, he said, also ensures that loads are secured, tools aren’t flying around the cab and drivers have better visibility.
“When your truck is built to do its job, it performs better and lasts longer,” wrote Kraenzel.
Installing the right suspension, tires and auxiliary equipment, for example, helps your vehicle handle rough terrain, heavy loads or long idle times.
When your work truck handles challenging situations better, you reap the rewards with fewer repairs and more uptime.
“A clean, organized and professionally upfitted truck sends a message of professionalism, preparedness and pride,” said Kraenzel. “Adding your company’s branding, lights and gear not only makes your truck stand out, it also shows you take your work seriously.”
When your vehicle is outfitted with the right gear, he said, your team can
Upfitting your vocational truck meets the industryspecific needs of your customers.
continued on page 8
Adobe Stock photo
When you invest in upfitting your vocational truck, you’re adding value to your business by adding a purpose-built asset to your fleet.
Alta Equipment Company
www.altaequipment.com
Byron Center, MI (616) 878-7450
New Hudson, MI (248) 356-5200
Flint (Burton), MI (810) 744-4840
Traverse City, MI (231) 943-3700
Detroit, MI (313) 394-1811
Atlantic & Southern Equipment
www.atlanticandsouthern.com
Birmingham, AL (205) 951-6656
Theodore, AL (251) 443-5229
Lake City, GA (404) 361-1100
Midland, NC (704) 731-7272
Middle and East TN (865) 898-2083
General Equipment & Supplies
www.genequip.com
Duluth, MN (218) 297-1105
Shakopee, MN (800) 966-1455
Minot, ND (800) 825-0479
Fargo, ND (800) 437-2924
Bismarck, ND (800) 279-4437
Williston, ND (701) 791-1390
Kelly Tractor Co.
Crane & Foundation Equipment
www.kellytractor.com
Clewiston, FL (863) 983-8177
Davie, FL (954) 581-8181
Ft. Myers (239) 693-9233
Mulberry, FL (863) 205-2537
Miami, FL (305) 592-5360
Columbus Equipment Company
www.columbusequipment.com
Columbus (614) 443-6541
Toledo (419) 872-7101
Cincinnati (513) 771-3922
Richfield (330) 659-6681
Cadiz (740) 942-8871
Dayton (937) 879-3154
Massillon (330) 833-2420
Zanesville (740) 455-4036
Piketon (740) 289-3757
Orlando, FL (407) 568-8055
West Palm Beach, FL (561) 683-1231
Link-Belt Construction Equipment Mid-Atlantic
www.link-beltmidatlantic.com
Ashland, VA (800) 552-3837
Chesapeake, VA (800) 342-3248
Frederick, MD (833) 546-5235
New Castle, DE (302) 501-6900
Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.
www.nixonegli.com
Ontario, CA (909) 930-1822
Tracy, CA (209) 830-8600
Rudd Equipment Company
www.ruddequipment.com
Louisville, KY (800) 283-7833
Corbin, KY (606) 528-9440
Prestonsburg, KY (606) 874-2104
Evansville, IN (812) 867-6661
Ft. Wayne, IN (260) 482-3681
Indianapolis, IN (317) 247-9125
St. Louis, MO (314) 487-8925
Clearfield, PA (814) 765-8500
Leetsdale, PA (412) 741-1731
Nitro, WV (304) 755-7788
Wood’s CRW Corp
www.woodscrw.com
Carlisle, PA (717) 795-0700
Central Square, NY (315) 676-2008
Williston, VT (802) 658-1700
North Oxford, MA (508) 499-1950
“No two industries are the same, and neither are their vehicles,” Kraenzel said. “Upfitting allows you to tailor your truck to your exact job demands.”
Questions to Ask Before the Upfit
“The key point many buyers don’t realize is that successful upfitting starts long before the truck shows up at the body builder,” said upfitter Pape.
Planning, budgeting, staying within the truck’s GVWR, choosing the right upfitting partner and being realistic about timelines should start early.
“Vocational trucks are designed around a single primary purpose or vocation,” added the upfitter. “Before you spec a chassis, take time to clearly define how the truck will be used day in and day out.”
Working through these questions with your representative helps ensure the final configuration supports productivity, durability and driver comfort, it added.
• Is the unit dedicated to road construction, oilfield work, utility service, towing and recovery, refuse hauling or municipal snow and ice control?
adjustment or repair after delivery?
These answers, in the long run, also will reduce compromises and help your truck perform exactly as you intended from day one
Growing From the Right Foundation
As Pape noted, the GVWR sets the hard limit of your build. The GVWR is the maximum legal engineered weight of the truck and everything on it.
So, the truck’s chassis, body, fuel, tools, payload and passengers are factored in. Exceed the GVWR and you’ll impact safety, said the company.
But safety is not the only impact. Exceeding the GVWR also will affect braking performance, component wear and regulatory compliance.
“When you start bolting equipment onto a bare chassis, the weight adds up quickly,” said Pape. “That’s why key spec decisions need to be made before the order is placed.”
You need to consider axle configurations and ratings to support your heaviest realistic load, advised the upfitter.
Frame length and reinforcements equipped to handle body and equipment stress need to be determined. You need to nail down the necessary size of suspension and brakes for the expected weights and duty cycles you’ll be handling.
• What payloads and tools will it carry every day?
• Will it haul aggregates, equipment, tools, parts, or materials — and how often will that load change?
• What jobsite conditions will the truck face?
• Will it operate off-road, navigate tight urban streets or handle steep grades?
• Will your vocational truck have to endure harsh winter weather or spend long hours on the highway?
• What do drivers need to work efficiently and safely?
• How frequently are drivers entering and exiting the cab?
• Will drivers need extra storage, work lighting, PTO controls or application-specific switches?
“Answering these questions early creates a clearer path to the right chassis, upfit, and drivetrain,” said Pape.
Of the outfitter itself, the contractor should ask if they’ve built trucks like this for similar applications before.
How does the upfitter ensure the final build stays within GVWR and meets regulatory requirements? What warranties will the upfitter offer on parts, labor and installed equipment? How does the upfitter handle service and support if something needs
Powertrain choices must be tailored to stop-and-go city work, offroad sites or high-mileage regional routes, said Pape.
The upfitter’s sales and fleet support teams work with customers early in the process to model curb weight, anticipated upfit weight and payload. The goal is to leave a safe margin under allowable GVWR, said the Kenworth vocational upfitter.
“That upfront work helps you avoid costly rework later, such as relocating components, changing axles or even reordering a chassis,” the company added.
Adding Mounted Service Truck Crane
If work requires you to lift materials that weigh thousands of pounds, you probably need a mounted service truck crane, said Caleb Steward, Drake Truck Bodies.
“These cranes allow you to lift and lower heavy materials with optimal maneuverability,” added Steward, general sales manager, wrote in a company blog post. “Additionally, mounted service truck cranes attach to the back of your truck body, allowing you to take the crane with you wherever you go.”
A mounted service truck crane reduces the need for additional equipment on jobs. Over time, this can help you save time and money. But what type of crane?
Telescopic cranes have a boom made from tubes that fit inside each other and can be powered by an electric or hydraulic system.
“The crane works by extending and contracting those tubes, similarly to how a classic telescope would ‘open’ or ‘close,’” said Steward.
Electric telescopic cranes are some of the most cost-effective on the market, he said. They operate using an electricals system that controls the tubes’ length.
These cranes are good options for workers who don’t need to lift anything over 2,000-6,000 lbs., typically the weight limit for electric telescopic cranes.
Road construction, oilfield work, utility service, towing and recovery, hauling or snow and ice removal each require a different set of upfitting parameters.
Adobe Stock photo
However, noted Steward, it’s only a good option for individuals who do not need to lift constantly because overused electric telescopic cranes can degrade.
“Therefore, if you only need a crane for lightweight lifts and seldom use, an electric telescopic crane may be perfect for you,” he said, adding, “However, if you need a more heavy-duty option, you may consider purchasing a hydraulic telescopic or articulated crane.”
Hydraulic telescopic cranes operate using a hydraulic power mechanism. The hydraulic mechanism enables them to lift as much as 6,000 to 14,000 lbs.
These cranes can often reach as high as 80-200 ft., allowing you to reach most objects, he said.
“Hydraulic telescopic cranes are some of the most common on the market because they can lift most objects,” added Steward. “These cranes are much stronger than electric telescopic cranes and are ideal if you are planning to use the crane more frequently.”
They’re a sturdier option for most jobs because they can lift heavier objects, reach farther and last longer than electric telescopic cranes, said Steward.
“However, it is important to ensure your truck is equipped for this type of crane as they are much larger and more expensive than electric cranes.”
Articulated cranes are some of the most robust. If your job requires you to frequently lift objects heavier than 14,000 lbs., this could be the option you need.
“In fact, many of these cranes can lift more than 35,000 pounds,” said Steward who added that they differ from telescopic cranes in the way they move.
“While telescopic cranes have interconnecting tubes that extend and contract, articulated cranes operate with joint-like maneuverability.”
In other words, these cranes bend and fold like a knuckle, said Steward. And folding inward, they are much more compact and easy to store than telescopic models.
“They are also more lightweight than other types of cranes and easier to operate,” said Steward, adding they can be powered by gas, battery or diesel fuel. CQ
Adobe Stock photo
If you’re planning a work truck upfit, start early by considering budget, vehicle GVWR, your upfitting partner and a realistic timeline for delivery after the build.
Before you spec the chassis, know how the truck will be used daily. Make sure the final configuration will support productivity, durability and driver comfort.
Adobe Stock photo
DRIVING MARITIME RESEARCH FORWARD
THE NORWEGIAN OCEAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER
is set to become one of the world’s most advanced research and education hubs for maritime technology.
The project, undertaken on behalf of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and SINTEF Ocean, will further strengthen Norway’s leading role in sustainable ocean resource management, offshore energy and environmentally friendly shipping.
A total of six Liebherr tower cranes are in operation across the extensive construction site: four Liebherr 280 EC-H 12 Litronic, one 280 EC-H 16 Litronic and one 81 K.1 fast-erecting crane. They handle heavy concrete and steel components, formwork and large structural elements in immediate proximity to the coastline, operating reliably despite changing weather and strong coastal winds. Liebherr’s Norwegian partner UCO (Utleiecompagniet AS) supplied the cranes and is supporting the project with technical expertise and comprehensive service.
Centre
for Research,
and teaching facilities. Research will focus on areas such as emission-free shipping, renewable offshore energy, sustainable aquaculture and digital simulation of maritime processes.
The cranes play a vital role in ensuring that the various building structures and testing facilities are constructed safely and on schedule, establishing the infrastructure for a project that is set to become a symbol of the green transition within the maritime industry.
Liebherr photo
The Norwegian Ocean Technology Center is set to become one of the world’s most advanced research and education hubs for
Sustainability, Innovation
Once completed in 2030, the Norwegian Ocean Technology Center will feature wet and dry laboratories, workshops, offices
Technical Precision for Highest Requirements
The demands placed on crane technology are exceptional due to the coastal location, complex structural geometry and stringent safety requirements. The Liebherr tower crane solutions team supported the construction company HENT AS with detailed engineering and statistic calculations.
The selected Liebherr cranes are ideally suited to the project’s requirements, offering high lifting reserves, precise control and robust components that ensure reliable operation even in Trondheim’s harsh and windy coastal climate. The 81 K.1 complements the high-top cranes as a highly versatile fast-erecting crane, ideal for temporary tasks requiring frequent changes in position and working height.
Liebherr photo
Six Liebherr cranes are carrying out essential lifting operations, from concrete work and steel construction to installing large pre-fabricated components.
maritime technology.
‘Sophie’s Crane’
Sophie Allen Impresses as 22-year-old Irish Crane Operator
When it comes to mobile cranes, The Allen Brothers are sure of one thing: “Tadano — and Demag earlier on — has always been our go-to choice for reliability, quality and service.”
This is why the Irish company, headquartered in Tinode, Blessington, has consistently bet on Tadano as it continues to upgrade its fleet. The most recent of these upgrades is an AC 4.100L-1, which was preceded by the new AC 6.300-1 and AC 5.220L-1 cranes.
It is as though the AC 6.300-1 had been made specifically for Allen Crane Hire. After all, its 262-ft.-long main boom, which comes as standard, means that the crane is perfectly equipped for erecting and disassembling at least 90 percent of all tower cranes used in Ireland — the company’s core business.
“Our new AC 4.100L-1 will first and foremost be for my daughter Sophie. But to tell you the truth, when I take a look at it, I’m pretty tempted to take it out for a spin myself,” said Robbie Allen with a chuckle as he picked up the crane. The crane was handed over by Tadano Ireland Team Anthony Mullin and Ed Taylor.
“Generational Talent”
Just like in many other countries, seeing a woman at the controls of a crane is still a rare sight in Ireland. However, taking a look at Sophie Allen’s family and surroundings helps explain her extraordinary career path.
Cranes have been her passion ever since she was little, and working with her father Robbie and her uncle Alan in what is normally a male-dominated industry is simply part of her DNA. In fact, she is one of the youngest female crane operators in Ireland at 22 years old, and has been CSCS-certified since 2022. Since then, Sophie Allen has done work at countless work sites with tower cranes of all sizes, including models with a luffing jib, and crawler cranes.
Anthony Mullin is quick to confirm her extraordinary talent.
“I’ve been in this profession for almost 30 years, and Sophie’s the first female crane operator I’ve briefed. And let me tell you, I was really impressed — she’s confident, incredibly skilled in operating cranes and a true expert at load calculations and loadsecuring techniques — just an absolute generational talent,” he said, full of praise.
He hopes that Sophie Allen will serve as
a role model for other women and inspire them to join the industry, a sentiment that she shares. Sophie Allen speaks highly of him in return.
“Tony is an expert through and through and takes the time to share his vast knowledge with palpable excitement,” she said, thanking him, Graham Lawlor, Colin Fitzsimons and the Allen Cranes team for the crane training she has received — an experience that she has enjoyed every single day.
Secret to Success: Best Cranes, Operators
Robbie Allen believes that providing his employees with the best possible training is crucial.
“In the past few years, we’ve invested massively in tower cranes with top-of-theline quality and reliability so that we can provide our customers with the results they deserve,” he said. “Combining that with the best crane operators out there, has been the key to our success and what has enabled us to be in the incredibly strong position in which we find ourselves today.”
For more information, visit tadano.com.
Tadano photo
Robbie Allen hands over the key to his daughter Sophie Allen.
STEPHENSON EQUIPMENT, INC.
www.stephensonequipment.com
Philadelphia, PA 800-220-4033 Harrisburg, PA 800-325-6455
Wilkes-Barre, PA 866-667-6756 Pittsburgh, PA 800-692-7600
Syracuse, NY 800-368-6455
Albany, NY 518-357-2200
Now Open! Lancaster, PA 800-200-2611
KIRBY-SMITH MACHINERY INC.
www.kirby-smith.com
Oklahoma City, OK 405-495-7820 Tulsa, OK 918-438-1700
McAlester, OK 918-310-1550
Kansas City, KS 913-850-6300
St. Louis, MO 314-729-0125
RING POWER CRANE
www.ringpowercrane.com
St. Augustine, FL 904-494-1219
Pompano Beach, FL 954-977-5010 Orlando, FL 407-855-6195 Tampa, FL 813-671-3700
HAYDEN-MURPHY EQUIPMENT COMPANY
www.hayden-murphy.com
9301 E. Bloomington Freeway Minneapolis, MN 55420 952-884-2301 800-352-2757
MGX EQUIPMENT SERVICES, LLC
844-DIAL-MGX mgxequipment.com
1525 SE Cortina Drive Ankeny, IA 50021 515-965-1000
2111 Grays Road Dundalk, MD 21222 443-399-7100
35170 Mark McCowan Drive Geismar, LA 70734 225-251-7500
1123 Cerise Road Billings, MT 59101 406-698-6768
3510 Roy Orr Blvd. Grand Prairie, TX 75050 972-986-0910
18000 22nd Ave, Ste 100, Aurora, CO 80011 720-864-9842
1700 S Sam Houston Pkwy W, Houston, TX 77047 713-433-6411
470 Dick Buchanan Street La Verge, TN 37086 615-562-3979
3601 Koppens Way Chesapeake, VA 23323 757-935-4300
11475 S 153rd Street Omaha, NE 68138 402-894-9300
3637 E Miami Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85040 602-232-0660
5052 W 2400 S, Bldg. B Salt Lake City, UT 84120 801-297-8500
3760 N Liberty Street Winston-Salem, NC 27105 336-582-7400
3280 Charleston Hwy Aiken, SC 29801 803-864-2840
WESTERN PACIFIC CRANE & EQUIPMENT www.wpcrane.com
8600 Calabash Ave. Fontana, CA 92335 562-286-6618
1500 Madruga Road Lathrop, CA 95330 855-927-2637
275 W. Larch Road Tracy, CA 95304 209-597-3824
3521 Alken Street Bakersfield, CA 93308 855-927-2637
19602 60th Avenue NE Arlington, WA 98223 253-254-7950
91-210 Kalaeloa Blvd. Kapolei, HI 96707 808-682-7263
10680 NW 289th Place, Bldg A North Plains, OR 97133 971-202-4002
6720 Arctic Blvd. Anchorage, AK 99518 855-342-7263
SHAWMUT EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC. www.shawmutequipment.com
New Jersey Corporate Headquarters 300 S. Randolphville Rd. Piscataway, NJ 08854 732-752-3600
South Jersey 1330 Hurffville Rd. Deptford, NJ 08096 856-227-6400
New York 1144 Zerega Ave. Bronx, NY 10462 718-822-1180
Mid-Hudson Valley 1440 Route 9W Marlboro, NY 12542 845-236-3000
Long Island 22 Peconic Ave. Medford, NY 11763 631-207-2900
Pennsylvania Philadelphia Metro Area 120 Gordon Dr. Lionville, PA 19341 610-363-9200
MAMMOET MONOPILES MAKE MOVEMENT MANAGEABLE MAMMOET MONOPILES MAKE MOVEMENT MANAGEABLE
Wind turbine sizes are increasing at an unprecedented rate and for clear reason: the bigger the turbine, the more power it can generate and the fewer are needed per wind farm.
Taller turbines require larger foundations to withstand heavier winds further out to sea, but as these foundations grow, they are becoming increasingly challenging to lift and transport.
As an expert in handling heavy items safely and efficiently, Mammoet has been ahead of the curve in coming up with ways to make the movement of even XXL monopiles faster and more cost-effective, according to Mammoet.
While it is theoretically possible to place monopiles into the sea using large crawler cranes, those required to meet the lifting capacity of the installation vessel would have been too big; requiring more space than was available at the port and reinforcement of its ground.
So, Mammoet engineered an upgraded terminal crane that can lift mega monopiles into the water for offshore feedering, and a specialist patented jacking-and-cradle system for their safe handling, using its SPMTs.
Mammoet's equipment transformed the port of Ronne, Denmark, into a seamless assembly line; where monopiles were efficiently offloaded, stored, capped and then lifted into the water and no civil work was needed to reinforce the quay.
This value was demonstrated during the marshalling scope for Windanker GmbH's 315MW Windanker offshore wind farm,
which was being fed by Van Oord in the German waters of the Baltic Sea.
Better Support, Less Civil Work
The transport and installation of the 21 monopile foundations were overseen by Van Oord, with Mammoet supporting their onshore lifting and transport.
The monopiles arrived at the port of Ronne from Spain, shipped in seven batches. The heaviest monopile weighed 2,370 tons and measured approximately 285 ft. in length.
Fitted with Mammoet's XXL monopile transport system, 90 axle lines of SPMT lifted them off their grillages and cradled them securely as they were driven off the vessel.
They were then taken to a temporary storage location and placed onto sand bunds, ready to be called off for capping to make them watertight.
The added stroke of the XXL monopile transport system allowed the monopiles to be lifted higher so that the indents of the storage bunds could be deeper, improving their support while using fewer materials.
Next, at the capping location, a large LR1750 crawler crane installed plugs onto the top and bottom ends of each monopile.
Once both plugs were installed, the monopiles were driven to the quayside in front of the two MTC1600 cranes, which Mammoet developed specifically to lift XXL monopiles onto vessels and into waters.
Mammoet photo
The transport and installation of the 21 monopile foundations were overseen by Van Oord, with Mammoet supporting their onshore lifting and transport.
Once each monopile was safely in the sea, it was towed using tugs to Van Oord's specialist heavy lift installation vessel, the Svanen, which was ready in the field to lift and install it into the seabed.
“We made a completely new crane design for this project, which is not typical but something we felt was necessary with the growth of monopile foundations,” said Stefan de Vries, project manager of Mammoet. “Once everything was agreed, we needed to ensure the new MTC cranes would be ready. We collaborated with Van Oord to make sure they would suit their needs.
“Initially, it was planned that the cranes would lift 3,086 tons, but we suggested their maximum capacity match that of the Svanen, to ensure consistent limits across the project. So, we increased their combined lift capacity to 3,527 tons.”
Foundations for Success
With the ballast weight of the MTC crane positioned much further away from the pivot point of the boom, in comparison to a large crawler crane, the load-bearing pressure was far less. This helped to spread the load over a greater distance, avoiding the need for specialist foundations or temporary civil work.
and collaboration.
Due to the efficiency of crane lifting compared to Ro-Ro operations, the Svanen could remain in the field and be constantly fed monopiles.
The result was an otherwise challenging marshaling project made simpler through a combination of knowledge, innovation
With experience of monopile handling, Mammoet guides its customers to the safest and schedule boosting methods to simplify complex marshalling projects.
It also is constantly innovating to ensure its transport and lifting solutions can support not just the wind farms of today, but those of tomorrow.
For more information, visit mammoet.com.
Fitted with Mammoet’s XXL monopile transport system, 90 axle lines of SPMT lifted them off their grillages and cradled them securely as they were driven off the vessel.
Mammoet photo
Mammoet photo Mammoet has been ahead of the curve in coming up with ways to make the movement of even XXL monopiles faster and more costeffective, according to Mammoet.
GOING
Singapore HDB Housing Project Picks Potain
Manitowoc photo
Several high-capacity Potain topless tower cranes — a mix of MCT 565A and MCT 1005 models — are getting to work on a new government housing project in western Singapore.
TOPLESS
Several high-capacity Potain topless tower cranes — a mix of MCT 565A and MCT 1005 models — purchased by Tiong Woon Corp. (TWC) are getting to work on a new government housing project in western Singapore.
The country’s increasing shift to precast construction in housing projects is fuelling demand for highcapacity cranes to lift heavy concrete elements. Local government regulations require all new Housing & Development Board (HDB) apartments to be fitted with PBUs (bathroom units pre-assembled off-site). On the Jurong West N4C22 project, the cranes will handle all precast components, including its 22 ton dual-PBUs.
In addition to Potain cranes already operating on the job site, new units will be installed in the coming weeks with each working on a different tower block. All will be assembled to a height under hook of 45 m. The MCT 565A cranes are working with jibs from 30 m. to 35 m., which gives them tip capacities of 22.5 tons to 18.3 tons. Meanwhile, the MCT 1005 will operate with either 40 m. or 45 m. jibs, corresponding to tip loads of either 28.2 tons or 24.8 tons.
The MCT 1005 cranes have a maximum capacity of 50 tons and can lift 25 ton loads at speeds of up to 31 m/min. The MCT 565A cranes have a maximum capacity of 32 tons and can lift 24 ton loads at up to 22 m/min. All cranes can handle the 22 ton dual PBUs with ease. The PBUs speed construction by arriving on site partially tiled and pre-assembled with copper piping, sanitary ware, window frames, ceiling, bathroom cabinets and a waterproofing system. This means they can be quickly lifted and installed with minimal finishing work.
“Job sites in Singapore are often space constrained, so the compact and topless design of the MCT 565A, paired with its short counter-jib, is well suited for our projects,” said Michael Ang, group CEO of TWC. “We are also deploying the MCT 1005 with a short counter-jib configuration, which provides good reach in our key projects. We are confident that both cranes will serve the project’s requirements effectively.”
For more information, visit manitowoc.com/.
Terrain Kept a-Rolling On Michigan Project
A smaller AT from Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental of Kaukauna, Wis., a member of the ALL Family of Companies, traveled over wood, dirt, rock — and up a steep incline — during a recent project to replace two transformers at a hydroelectric power station.
“This was a remote location,” said TJ Brownson, sales representative of Dawes. “Our challenge was to find a crane with enough capacity to handle the load … yet small enough to fit within the space we had.”
Brownson and his team specified the 95ton Grove GMK5095 AT. Normally, cranes this size receive basic assignments that don’t turn heads or reap them glory, but this seemingly typical assignment was anything but.
First up was crossing a small bridge that had recently been re-decked in pine. Even with an AT’s roadworthy-rubber tires, the sheer weight of the crane makes it a poor match for such a soft wood. Instead, temporary steel decking was put down. After crossing the bridge, next came a steep climb up a hill to reach the job site at the McClure Dam Power Station on the Dead River near Marquette, Mich.
“This was a percent grade that had thwarted other equipment the general contractor attempted to use,” said Brownson. “It was the key aspect of the job where the Grove AT demonstrated its value — its ability to easily get to the top of the hill where the lifts were to take place.”
One might wonder, why all the fuss?
The Marquette area is seeing an increase in population and associated residential, business and health care construction. The project owner, Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO), is undertaking a complete rebuild of the power station to generate more electricity for the region.
Once at the lift site, the Grove was tasked with first removing two existing transformers. After which, the Grove GMK5095 was configured with 66 ft. of main boom and 59,700 lbs. of counterweight to pick two new transformers, each weighing 38,000 lbs. and measuring 13 ft. across and 10 ft. high.
They don’t call them “all-terrain” cranes for nothing.
“This was a remote location. Our challenge was to find a crane with enough capacity to handle the load … yet small enough to fit within the space we had.”
TJ Brownson
loaded onto a Goldhofer trailer in a parking lot east of the pine-decked bridge. Each was transported by the Goldhofer trailer across the bridge and along a path similar to that taken by the Grove AT.
The Grove required two setups to get each transformer to its destination, first picking each from a Goldhofer and setting both near a safety fence lining a mini “cliff.” Next, the Grove moved closer to the edge of the cliff and picked each transformer again, this time setting them over the fence and down into an elevation 38 ft. below.
All in all, it provided a showcase for everything a seemingly modest all-terrain crane can bring to a project.
“This was an unusual job site, in that there were two entirely different levels, separated by that 38-foot vertical distance, where work had to be done,” said Brownson. “The Grove was able to handle the limited pathways to the work zones, traverse the varying terrain and had the muscle to perform the needed lifts at the prescribed radii.”
For more information, visit allcrane.com.
The transformers took a journey of their own to get to the lift zone, first being
ALL Crane photo Brownson and his team specified the 95-ton Grove GMK5095 AT for this assignment.
Looking Back: Cranes
Courtesy of Historical Construction Equipment Association
Working to preserve the history of the construction equipment that shaped our world . . .
The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving for public education the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries.
A Bucyrus-Erie 120B electric dragline loads a Mack Super Duty AP truck during construction of San Gabriel Dam north of Azusa, Calif., circa 1933. Built by the West Slope Construction Co. joint venture, this was the world’s largest rockfill dam when completed in 1937. (Bucyrus-Erie Co. photograph, HCEA Archives)
A Lima 54-T truck crane with a 60-ft. boom and 30-ft. jib unloads cargo at the Port of Toledo in Ohio. Paul R. Jeffers, predecessor of today’s Jeffers Crane Services, is the owner.
(Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton image, HCEA Archives)
An Austin-Western hydraulic crane picks bridge steel. Along with Grove, AustinWestern was one of the two early leaders in producing hydraulic cranes for construction applications. (Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton
A Marion 7400 walking dragline strips overburden. This was one of the two smallest models of Marion’s extensive line of such machines. (Marion Power Shovel Co. image, HCEA Archives)
Bucyrus-Erie crawler and truck cranes are at work on Mactaquac Dam in New Brunswick in the late 1960s. (Bucyrus-Erie publicity brochure, 1969, HCEA Archives)
image, HCEA Archives)
empirecrane.com
7021 Performance Drive N. Syracuse, NY 13212 800-342-7575
National Crane sets the global standard for truck-mounted hydraulic cranes that are supported by reliable and exceptional customer support. With crane models that offer exceptional reach, many feature the longest boom roadable chassis. Unique technologies that aid in both operation and comfort. or contact your local dealer.
