Smart operators are taking a look at renting service trucks like mechanic trucks, lube trucks, service trucks and articulating crane trucks as a way to get the equipment needed for the job… but not the 7+ year commitment that comes with it.

The site www.rentmechanictrucks.com can help you determine if renting is right for you.  Or simply call us at 800-758-2410 for details.

In January of 1995, following the 1989 San Francisco tower crane collapse, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.. NCCCO (www.nccco.org)  was founded as an independent, not for profit, organization to promote the training and certification of crane operators. The organization was established to promote safe crane operating practices and has developed over the years to cover the following specialties:

· Mobile cranes

· Tower cranes

· Overhead cranes

· Signal persons

· Riggers

The NCCCO is made up of crane manufacturers, crane operators and rental companies, construction management companies and Labor Unions. The NCCCO is federally recognized by OSHA and the DOE and is approved by the Dept of Education, Dept of Defense and the Dept of Veterans Affairs. In addition it’s courses are accredited by ANSI, NCCA and the National Skills Standards Board.

In February of 2009 the NCCCO and the ACCNA (Articulating Crane Council of North America) which is a division of the NTEA (Natioanal Truck Equipment Association) announced plans to cooperatively develop a certification program for truck mounted articulating boom cranes. When completed the NCCCO will administer the final certification program. It is the intention to start certifying articulating crane operators in 2009. Written exams for crane operator training inspectors are currently in development.
The following States have adopted the NCCCO program in advance, being: WV,HI,NJ,CA,MT,MN,NV,UT,WA and the following State have proposed adopting the standards, being: FL,PA,MD,IA.
Articulating crane operator certification will be classed as a stand alone certification designed to cover the unique operating characteristics of articulating cranes. Certification will include successful completion of a written exam, a practical test and agreement to abide by a Code of Ethics.

• size of crane
• size of truck
• crane placement

Smaller cranes can do with a single set of outriggers mounted to the crane.  Larger cranes will require two sets of outriggers (also referred to as stabilizers).

We have the software in house to run the stability numbers for faster and more accurate quoting.  This software will tell you what you need to keep your unity stable.

Articulating Crane Outrigger Terminology

Outriggers: Mechanical extensions to the crane or truck which expand the foot print of the truck thereby increasing stability. The extensions may be manual or hydraulic powered and the vertical elements which make contact with the ground are typically hydraulically actuated.

Outrigger Extension Span: This is the overall outrigger reach from left to right measured from center of pad to center of pad. This is also referred to as the “footprint” of the crane.

Outrigger Pads: The vertical outriggers typically have a foot of small diameter onto which can be slid/attached either metal or plywood pads of larger area to reduce ground pressure. The pads may also be loose in nature and placed under the foot of the outrigger.

Call Bill Penney if you have any questions!

There are 550 gallon and 1000 gallon models in stock.  We can build a custom fuel trailer (or fuel and lube trailer) in usually 2 weeks.  These trailers can be easily pulled to any job site.

Check out http://www.lubetrailer.com/fuel-trailer.html for more information or call Jack Coleman at 800-824-0622 for more information.

The answer is theoretically, yes.  In practice, no.

In theory an 18 ton meter crane can lift 18 tons at 1 meter from the center of the crane rotation but in practice this doesn’t mean much because to load or unload a truck requires that the crane reach be in excess of 3.28 feet(1 meter). In practice, then, most crane manufacturers rate the maximum capacity at or around 6-7 feet. Some actually rate the cranes maximum capacity at 4-5 feet which in most cases means a 2nd hook point on the inner boom.

IMT 18 Ton Meter Articulating Crane

IMT articulating cranes are rated for maximum capacity at no closer than 2 meters or 6’6”. When comparing cranes the important number is the crane load moment rating, not necessarily how much it will pick up.

But how do manufacturers assign crane ratings? And why are articulating and telescopic cranes rated differently?

What essentially differentiates a telescopic crane from an articulating crane — other than the obvious straight boom versus knuckleboom — is reach capability and payload transportation ability.

A truck-mounted articulating crane is designed to place payload on the truck bed, haul it to the job site, and then place the payload where it ultimately needs to go. That’s not the case with telescopic cranes, which are designed to be stored over the truck bed, leaving little room for product transportation. Because a telescopic crane has a winch and an articulating crane has a hook on the end of the boom, this not only affects their reach and payload capacities, but also how the cranes are rated.

Articulating cranes don’t usually have the vertical reach capabilities that telescopic cranes do, so they’re typically used on job sites where horizontal reach is the major concern. This is one reason why manufacturers rate articulating cranes by measuring their maximum lift capacity when the boom is horizontal with all extensions retracted. For example, an articulating crane rated at 90,000 foot-pounds, means the crane can lift 6,000 pounds when its boom is extended to 15 feet. In order to have a uniform rating, all articulating crane manufacturers have agreed to use this formula. Load charts show the crane’s capacity at horizontal reaches, while load ranges depict its vertical capacities.

Telescopic cranes are rated a little differently. Instead of their lift capacity being measured at a horizontal reach, telescopic cranes receive their maximum capacity ratings based on how much they can lift with the boom extensions retracted and the lower boom raised to maximum elevation. The radius is then measured from the winch line to the center of rotation, usually about 5 feet.

With telescopic crane ratings, the correlation between feet and lift capacity is depicted on their lift charts by showing the booms at different angles and extensions. The rated capacity is shown at the intersection of the vertical load radius line and the horizontal line showing boom tip position. However, as the boom lowers, the specs will show a drastic drop in the telescopic crane’s lift capacity.

While articulating crane ratings are measured in foot-pounds, most manufacturers state telescopic crane ratings in tons. However, we’re one manufacturer of both articulating and telescopic cranes who doesn’t. We rate our IMT telescopic cranes the same way we rate our articulating cranes — in the foot-pound capacity style.

Written By: Jim Darr, Product Specialist for Material-Handling Systems

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. (IMT)

Garner, Iowa

Amazing as this sounds considering the economic climate…  Check out the article below.  Please pass on to any of your friends who run Internationals.

We have confirmed this with Center City International.  They expect all chassis manufacturers to raise prices $5000 – $7000 on medium duty chassis due to the new urea diesel Tier 4 engine.

Our customers’ window of opportunity for a great deal is probably from now until the end of the year. The inventory of medium duty chassis is MUCH lower than normal.  As dollars start moving in the economy again, the 2009 models will go quickly.

We have a 2009 International with IMT Equipment ready for immediate delivery.  Click here for information on 2009 International 4400 Service Truck.  Call for best 2009 pricing.

Link to article:

http://enr.construction.com/products/equipment/2009/0805-NavistarPushPrices.asp

Article Quote:

“Navistar, Warrenville, Ill., announced on July 28 that prices for vehicles with midrange diesel engines will increase by $6,000. Increases will come as a non-discountable surcharge applied to the vehicle’s base price.”