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From The Cover
Crane Gain — The importance of selecting the right crane for the right job Venco Venturo offers a wide selection of solutions for municipal applications By IAN LAHMER | Venco Venturo
Cranes have an essential place in society, serving a variety of functions for multiple industries. Nowhere is that more apparent than in municipalities, which rely on this equipment more than any single industry. Given the varied functions of municipalities, it’s easy to see why. Municipalities are responsible for nearly every service aspect associated with their respective cities. They don’t only handle road repairs and general maintenance. They are also responsible for landscaping, construction, utility work, general loading and general repair services, among many others. This all-encompassing set of responsibilities requires the use of heavy equipment to get those jobs done. That’s why municipal service trucks require a boost in the form of cranes. But cranes are not a one-size-fitsall solution for municipalities, which is why it’s imperative that they select the right crane for the right job. Having the wrong crane for the wrong application can prove costly, unproductive and even dangerous. When Venco Venturo works with municipalities, we guide them through a thorough selection process that includes several foundational questions to ensure they have the right crane for their varied needs. Our goal is to give them a crane that properly meets their needs, is versatile for those needs, has longevity and has the capabilities for safe and effective operation. We ask three foundational questions: How will the crane be used? How much weight will the crane lift and how far will it be moved? Are there other considerations to take into account? How will the crane be used? When we ask this question, we are looking to discover several key details, such as the nature of the municipal work, how often the crane will be used in a one-hour period and how often the crane will be used during a 24-hour period. The duty cycle is important because it allows us to understand how the crane will be used and the stress it will encounter. With this information, we can determine what type of crane is needed — electric, hydraulic or electric-hydraulic. How much weight and how far? This essential question allows us to determine the specific type and model of crane needed for the job. We use the foot-pound rating to 12 THE MUNICIPAL | JULY 2021
With the ET23KX’s 25,000 foot-pound crane rating and a maximum capacity of 5,000 pounds, operators can handle all the necessary tasks related to propane jobs. (Photo provided)
discover the best crane for your needs. The foot-pound rating comes by multiplying the weight of the maximum load — what the crane will lift — by the maximum distance the load will travel. Other considerations When we build a service truck for a specific job or application in our Upfit Center, we start with the aforementioned variables: duty cycle, application and the foot-pound rating. But sometimes — before these variables come into play — the decision for what crane to use starts with the desired or available truck. This shows that even before considering the duty cycle, application or foot-pound rating, the truck and crane service body choices also can play a prominent role in the decision-making process. In our Upfit Center, we also broaden the scope to ensure we’ve considered all the necessary tools and accessories for the application as well.
