Crane Guide June 2024

2021 GROVE GRT8120 Hours: 982, Stock # N001270, S/N: 236988, 37.2’ - 196.9’ Main Boom, 34.5’ - 57.6’ Hydraulic Bi-fold Jib, 4WD, 4 Wheel / 4 Mode Steering, Tilt Cab Block & Ball, Aux Hoist, Cummins Engine $CALL - 2 IN STOCK!

2003 GROVE GMK5120 Hours: 955, S/N: 51009287, 42’-167’ Boom, 39’-59’ Swingaway, Outrigger Pads, Single Hoist, Dolly, Block, Ball $CALL 2020 GROVE GRT8100 Hours: 526, Stk# 1708, 154’ Boom, 56’ Jib, 2 Hoists, T4F Engine, Heavy Lift Counterweight $CALL

Ton 4-Sheave QuickReeve Hook Block, 34’-114’ Four-Section Full-Power Boom, 26’-45’ Off-Settable Telescoping Swing-Away Jib, 2 Hoists $409,000

TOUCHING

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By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT

THE NUMBER OF BIG CRANES AT WORK across the country is down this year. But they are trending taller, as building projects are designed for higher heights and larger loads. This year opened with a continued downward trend in crane counts, according to the Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) crane count. Several projects of note are tapping these rigs for long-term contracts. Many projects are approaching completion at a slower rate than new projects are breaking ground, RLB noted in its first quarter 2024 report.

Los Angeles experienced a 67 percent increase, from the third quarter of 2024, in the number of cranes (20) at work. Denver saw a 42 percent decrease, from 24 to 14 rigs.

The three top construction sectors tapping cranes are commercial at 11 percent, mixed use at 22 percent and residential at 51 percent.

“Majority of cranes continue to be stationed at residential or mixed-use projects, making up 73 percent of the overall count.

The survey charts a 9 percent drop from the third quarter 2023 report, citing an 18-percent decrease from this period last year, totaling 94 fewer cranes at work.

“Of the 14 cities surveyed, seven experienced a decrease of greater than 20 percent,” said RLB. However, three cities increased counts and four held steady.

“Despite the continued downturn in cranes, we remain cautiously optimistic,” the organization said.

Continued investment in manufacturing and infrastructure will help offset declines in privately funded projects this year, it continued.

continued on page 8

Adobe Stock photo

Fewer heavy-lift cranes are on the job across the country as crane counts trend down nationally.

Versalift Midwest LLC midwest.versalift.com

51761 Danview Technology Court

Shelby Twp., MI 48315 586-991-0054

L & M Truck Sales, Inc. www.lmtrucks.com

4001 E. Boone Ave. Spokane, WA 99202 509-535-4175

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

Albany, NY 518-357-2200

Syracuse, NY 800-368-6455

Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. www.nixonegli.com

2044 South Vineyard Avenue Ontario, CA 91761

909-930-1822

800 East Grantline Road Tracy, CA 95304

209-830-8600

Coastline Equipment

Crane Division www.coastlinecd.com

325 N. 5th Street, Bldg. A Sacramento, CA 95811 916-440-8090

Santa Ana 714-265-6550

Long Beach, CA 562-273-7013

Bakersfield, CA 661-399-3600

Oxnard, CA 805-485-2106

Santa Maria, CA 805-922-8329

Las Vegas, NV 702-399-2700

Elko, NV 775-777-7070

Meridian, ID 208-888-3337

Jerome, ID 208-324-2900

McCall, ID 208-634-3903

JDC teamjdc.com

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

La Porte, TX 281-842-8700

Orlando, FL 407-654-3840

Sulphur, LA 337-607-3260

Westfield, MA 413-642-4000

Twinsburg, OH 330-486-0800

Wharton, NJ 973-206-4300

Whitestown, IN 317-768-2600

Aspen Equipment

aspenequipment.com

Minneapolis 9150 Pillsbury Ave. S Bloomington, MN 55420 952-888-2525

Quad Cities 1733 South Stark St. Davenport, IA 52802 563-949-4045

Omaha 11475 S 153rd St. Omaha, NE 68138 402-894-9300

Des Moines 1525 SE Cortina Dr. Ankeny, IA 50021 515-965-1000

Kansas City 1150 SE Hamblen Rd. Ste 2 Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 816-451-1745

COMPLEX COMPLEX

Tunnel Section Installed Emissions Free Using Battery Power

W LIFT

HEN MAMMOET WAS APPROACHED by STADSBADER CONTRACTORS to lift and skid a 937-ton concrete tunnel section 131 ft. underneath railway lines in Belgium, it assessed that the project could be achieved with zero emissions.

So, its engineers set to work combining existing skidding equipment with new battery-powered technology.

Planning for Power

The project required precise calculations and implementation to lift and skid the tunnel section, measuring 82 ft. by 28 ft., across 131 ft. to reach its destination: below a railway track near Brussels.

The operation also had to be carried out to a time-critical deadline, with minimum disruption to train users and before the Monday morning commute began.

Using Mammoet’s specialized tunnel adaptors and skidding system, hydraulic jacks were put into place to maneuver and lift the concrete tunnel section from the ground.

When enough ground clearance was created, hydraulic cylinders pushed the tunnel section across 131 ft. of Teflon pad-equipped skid tracks to its destination.

The hydraulic power used to achieve this was generated using an electric powerpack, combined with a battery, to supply the power needed.

The project required precise calculations and implementation to lift and skid the tunnel section, measuring 82 ft. by 28 ft., across 131 ft. to reach its destination: below a railway track near Brussels.

To determine what was needed to carry out the job, Mammoet engineers executed several smaller scale projects, such as transformer installations, which served as feasibility tests before moving on to the large-scale Belgian project.

After preparations for the operation were put in place, the skidding procedure was completed in under an hour and 2.5 hours ahead of the estimated schedule.

The electric powerpack, or Mobile Power Unit, is powered by recycled batteries, with a maximum capacity of 50kWh. It weighs 3,219 lbs. and has loading capacity for an additional 2,205 lb. of auxiliary equipment via its roof rack. It accepts standard inputs and outputs at 16, 32 or 63A.

Its battery also can be charged using solar energy, further increasing the sustainability of operations.

The sustainable mobile power source enabled Mammoet to not only perform the special device skidding operation with zero emission, but also off the grid. This means the solution is transferable to even relatively remote locations.

Safety Through Sustainability

The combined technologies used for the all-electric tunnel skidding process is a prime example of how Mammoet leads the market in making heavy lifting safer and more sustainable.

It resulted in many positive gains for the customer, including improved on-site safety due to reduced noise levels during the operation; less impact on the surrounding environment due to the absence of on-site emissions — all while maintaining the same strict timescale as normal.

The improved working environment received a positive response from the field experts working with these newly combined technologies.

“We have demonstrated that through innovative engineering and combining new and existing technology we have the ability

After preparations for the operation were put in place, the skidding procedure was completed in under an hour and 2.5 hours ahead of the estimated schedule.

The orb was skillfully placed onto its foundation.

to execute zero emission heavy lift projects for our customers — and that’s the future,” said Pascal Eeken, manager improvement and innovation, Mammoet Europe.

The operation sets a new standard for carrying out heavy lifting projects using specialist equipment for jacking and skidding, in a safer, sustainable and more eco-friendly way.

By proving out the switch to zero emissions electricity for civil projects, Mammoet is leading the way in helping customers to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations and to support more sustainable development — both for civil projects and elsewhere.

For more information, visit www.mammoet.com.  (Photos courtesy of Mammoet.)

U P UP G O I N G N I O G U P

ALL Deploys Two Tower Cranes to Build Orlando Apartment Complex

A 300-unit apartment complex marks the return of ALL Sunshine Crane Rental Corp., a member of the ALL Family of Companies, to the tower crane market in the Orlando metro area.

T.J. Wicklander, general manager of ALL Sunshine Crane Rental Corp., was previously a sales rep at ALL’s Chicago branch, Central Contractors Service. Chicago is a tower-crane heavy town. At one point a few years ago, more than 30 of the 50 tower cranes dotting the Chicago skyline originated with Central. So, getting back into tower work was like a homecoming for Wicklander, who estimates it’s been more than a decade since his current branch erected a tower in Orlando, focusing instead on other equipment opportunities.

The new apartment complex, Parkway Crossing, will be a modest four stories tall, but will encompass a sprawling, nearly sixacre parcel. ALL is providing two Potain MDT 219 tower cranes, positioned at opposite ends of the job site, to assist with construction.

Each Potain MDT 219 has an 11-ton capacity, a 360-degree rotating main boom of 159 ft., and a jib that reaches 213 ft. The towers will occupy a small footprint on the job site but can cover large areas, making

them ideal for longer term construction projects. They also feature Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS) for additional efficiency and precision.

With each tower placed at opposite ends of the construction site, the pair can cover the entire project with a small overlap in the center, where the parking garage will be located.

Contractors are discovering that they can affordably use multiple towers on larger jobs and reduce reliance on the more common crawlers, rough terrain cranes and truck cranes, long a hallmark of material handling in construction.

“Due to the configuration of this piece of land, it would have been difficult to fit a standard crane,” said Wicklander. “Then, on one end of the job site, there’s a retention pond that would have created close quarters as construction progressed. These site-specific issues made the twin towers a perfect solution.”

A tower’s small footprint also reduces traffic and clutter on the job site, while offering outstanding up-and-over reach, allowing access to the complete work area. One tower can replace several specialized pieces of lift equipment, particularly crawlers and RTs, which would need to traverse the site and require the ground prep

and requisite labor for ground prep and equipment operation. Towers also run cleaner with no exhaust, loud engines, or noise ordinance issues.

Wicklander appreciates how the project showcases the ability of ALL’s national branches to work together.

“To build the first crane, we received sections of tower from sister branches in Tennessee and North Carolina,” said Wicklander. “Then the tower erector technician came over from our Atlanta branch to help set it up.”

He noted that the second Potain MDT 219 will be coming entirely from the ALL branch in Knoxville, Tenn.

Of course, Florida tower cranes have to take into account a major consideration that the Chicago towers of Wicklander’s professional past don’t: hurricanes (even if Chicago is known as the Windy City). Wicklander credits Sam Moyer, general manager of ALL Tower Crane and a civil engineer, as well as application engineer Daniel Giera, with doing the research and performing the calculations necessary to safely select tower cranes appropriate for the Orlando project.

For more information, visit www.allcrane.com. 

The new apartment complex, Parkway Crossing, will be a modest four stories tall, but will encompass a sprawling, nearly six-acre parcel. ALL is providing two Potain MDT 219 tower cranes, positioned at opposite ends of the job site, to assist with construction.

ALL Crane photo G

SURVEY SAYS... SURVEY SAYS...

The NCCCO Foundation and the National Safety Council (NSC) through its Work to Zero initiative partnered to survey certified crane operators and inspectors regarding safety hazards in the crane industry. The goal was to identify the most common hazardous situations these workers are exposed to, the main causes and contributors to workplace injuries, and to understand their use and perceptions of safety technology solutions used to eliminate or mitigate these risks.

The results of the survey are now available in the newly released report, Understanding the Current State of Safety Hazards in the Crane Industry.

“The NCCCO Foundation welcomed the opportunity work with the National Safety Council on a research project that we believe will have a positive impact on the safety of everyone working in and around cranes”, said T.J. Cantwell, NCCCO Foundation executive director. “The National Safety Council’s research expertise combined with the NCCCO Foundation’s knowledge of the crane industry allowed us to design a survey that resulted in a significant amount of new and useful data on the hazards that face those in the industry every day.”

The NCCCO Foundation intends to share the report’s findings throughout the year and focus its safety education outreach on the top hazards identified in the report. Educational materials, webinars and other resources designed to increase awareness and improve safety in the crane industry will be available soon.

The report includes findings regarding the top hazardous situations, most common risks, most common causes of injuries, perceptions of safety training and compliance, and use of safety technology in the crane industry. The full report is available on the NCCCO Foundation website at www.ncccofoundation.org/research/safety/. 

Helping Hand

MANITOWOC HAS DONATED a crane simulator to the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) International Training & Education Center in Crosby, Texas, solidifying their longstanding partnership.

The generous donation marks a significant milestone in enhancing training opportunities for crane operators, advancing optimal industry practices and permanently enriching the educational experience for both instructors and students.

“We are thrilled to receive this donation from Manitowoc,” said Chris Treml, IUOE Training Center director. “This partnership has been invaluable, and having permanent access to this simulator is a game changer for our students and instructors.”

For more than 20 years, Manitowoc has provided cranes and technical support to every local chapter of the IUOE across the United States and Canada to ensure operators have access to expert knowledge. The newly donated simulator will continue to guarantee that its flagship operator training center stays at the forefront of equipment technology.

In 2022, a new Manitowoc crawler crane and Grove all-terrain crane joined Manitowoc’s training fleet at IUOE, which

Manitowoc Donates Crane Simulator to Texas Training Center

also includes the company’s rough terrain and tower crane offerings. The newer model additions have helped train the next generation of lifters.

Crane Cab Replica

Manitowoc photo

The simulator provides a controlled environment for students to gain control familiarization and basic operation skills.

The crane simulator, now owned by IUOE, provides a secure, controlled environment for students to gain control familiarization and basic crane operation skills. Instructors can easily communicate and guide students as they practice computer and Load Moment Indicator (LMI) setup and operation. The simulator is an almost replica of a crane cab, enabling students to develop muscle memory as they handle control stick functions and computer operations. The machine is beneficial for both new and seasoned operators.

“The simulator allows for pre-training on controls and LMIs before students transition to operating real cranes,” Treml explained. “This ensures that students are wellprepared and confident when they step onto a job site.”

In addition to developing mobile and crawler crane operation skills, the simulator offers students the opportunity to learn tower crane operation, adding a new dimension to their training experience.

For more information, visit www.manitowoc.com and www.iuoe.org. 

Looking Back: Historical Cranes

Courtesy of Historical Construction Equipment Association

Working to preserve the history of the construction equipment that shaped our world . . .

During construction of a power plant

a

the

a

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.

the

While Bucyrus-Erie was famous for its wide range of cranes and excavators, it also produced the Loadmaster crane attachment for Caterpillar tractors for a time. In this April 1937 image, an RD7 and Loadmaster are doing all the demolition and lifting during relocation of Cat’s test farm.

At the Port of Toledo, Ohio, a Lima truck crane unloads the second cargo shipment to come through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Toledo contractor Paul Jeffers owns the crane, which is equipped with a 60-ft. boom and 30-ft. jib.

Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton image, HCEA Archives photo

on

west bank of

Nile near Cairo, Egypt,

Lima truck crane with

basic 35-ft. boom handles subassembly of major structural members.

From its inception until the 1960s, small to midsize truck cranes could be converted to excavators, as illustrated by this ThewLorain truck shovel at work in Oklahoma in 1946.

National Archives & Records Administration image, Edgar Browning Collection, HCEA Archives photo

BaldwinLimaHamilton image, HCEA Archives photo

Caterpillar Inc. image, Maier-Dailey Papers, HCEA Archives photo

Altaequipment.com

18405 115th Avenue Orland Park, IL 60467 877-399-6430

420 Nolen Drive South Elgin, IL 60177 877-399-6430

613 E Stevenson Road Ottawa, IL 61350 815-587-7610

1035 Wylie Drive Bloomington, IL 61705 888-693-2271

480 Blaine Street Gary, IN 46406 219-240-0268

exactcrane.com

Serving Ohio, Michigan, W. Pennsylvania, Kentucky

28985 Ambina Drive Solon, OH 44139 440-349-1999

coastlinecd.com

325 N. 5th Street, Bldg. A Sacramento, CA 95811 916-440-8090

Santa Ana, CA 714-265-6550

Las Vegas, NV 702-399-2700

Meridian, ID 208-888-3337

smequipment.com

14925 South Main St. Houston, TX 77035 713-721-7070

Dallas, TX 214-391-4000

Corpus Christi, TX 361-289-2782

San Antonio, TX 210-629-0400

West Texas 432-517-4378

Oklahoma City, OK 405-639-8226

Tulsa, OK 918-224-2000

2728 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-278-5438

5215 Wills Road Mobile, AL 36582 251-679-0090

3090 State Hwy 20 Decatur, AL 35601 256-936-5438

127 International Blvd. LaVergne, TN 37086 615-459-5438

empirecrane.com

7021 Performance Drive N. Syracuse, NY 13212 800-342-7575

68 Industrial Blvd. Hanson, MA 02341 800-342-7575

9 Finderne Avenue, Ste 7 Bridgewater, NJ 08807 908-203-0400

Oklahoma City, OK

800-375-3339

Tulsa, OK

918-438-1700

McAlester, OK

918-310-1550

Kansas City, KS

913-850-6300

St. Louis, MO 314-729-0125

Dallas, TX 214-371-7777

Fort Worth, TX

817-378-0600

Abilene, TX 325-692-6334 Waco, TX 254-261-1370

Amarillo, TX 806-373-2826

Lubbock, TX 806-745-2112

Odessa, TX 432-333-7000

www.mgxequipment.com

www.kirby-smith.com Baltimore, MD 443-399-7100

Baton Rouge, LA 225-251-7500

Belle Chasse, LA 504-394-7400

Billings, MT 406-698-6768 Birmingham, AL 205-661-1323

Dallas, TX 972-986-0910

Houston, TX

713-433-6411

Norfolk, VA

757-935-4300

Phoenix, AZ

602-232-0660

Salt Lake City, UT 801-297-8500

Winston-Salem, NC 336-582-7400

www.hoffmanequip.com

Corporate Headquarters Piscataway, NJ 732-752-3600

South Jersey Deptford, NJ 856-227-6400 Long Island Medford, NY 631-207-2900

Mid-Hudson Valley Marlboro, NY 845-236-3000

New York City Bronx, NY 718-822-1180

www.stephensonequipment.com

Corporate Headquarters Harrisburg, PA Harrisburg, PA 800-325-6455 Pittsburgh, PA McDonald, PA 800-692-7600 Philadelphia, PA Prospect, PA 800-220-4033

Wilkes-Barre, PA Pittston, PA 866-667-6756

ALT Sales Corp. Richfield, OH 330-659-2100

Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental Elk Mound, WI 800-943-2277

Kaukauna, WI 800-236-8630

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

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

Union City, GA 770/774-7300

Concord, NC

704/795-3636

Aiken, SC 843/818-1954

SHAWMUT EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.

www.shawmutequipment.com

20 Tolland Turnpike Manchester, CT 06042 800/829-4161

136 Eastman St. South Easton, MA 02375 877/526-9213

SHAWMUT EQUIPMENT OF CANADA, INC.

318 Park Rd. Elmsdale, NS B2S 0G2 902/883-7450

MGX EQUIPMENT SERVICES, LLC www.mgxequipment.com

Baltimore, MD 443/399-7100

Baton Rouge, LA 225/251-7500

Belle Chasse, LA 504/394-7400

Billings, MT 406/698-6768

Birmingham, AL 205/661-1323

Dallas, TX 972/986-0910

Denver, CO 720/864-9842

Houston, TX 713/433-6411

Norfolk, VA 757/935-4300

Phoenix, AZ 602/232-0660

Salt Lake City, UT 801/297-8500

Winston-Salem, NC 336/582-7400

ROAD MACHINERY & SUPPLIES CO.

www.rmsequipment.com

314 Garfield Avenue Duluth, MN 55802 218/727-8611

315 Hoover Road N. Virginia, MN 55792 218/741-9011

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

HAYDEN-MURPHY EQUIPMENT COMPANY

www.hayden-murphy.com

9301 E. Bloomington Freeway Minneapolis, MN 55420 952/884-2301 800/352-2757

New Jersey

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

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

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

Central/Eastern, TN (888) 951-6656

General Equipment & Supplies

www.genequip.com

Shakopee, MN (952) 224-1500

Minot, ND (701) 852-0479

Fargo, ND (800) 437-2924

Bismarck, ND (701) 223-9700

Williston, ND (701) 572-0570

Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

www.nixonegli.com

Ontario, CA (909) 930-1822

Tracy, CA (209) 830-8600

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

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

Orlando, FL (407) 568-8055

West Palm Beach, FL (561) 683-1231

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

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

Transport Equipment Sales

www.tes-inc.net

South Kearny, NJ (973) 589-4100

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

“Overall, construction spending will be driven by public funding for manufacturing and infrastructure projects.”

But big cranes are still in demand, especially on residential properties in major cities. In glitzy Miami, tower cranes are in the thick of vertical construction.

FAA’s the Limit

Developers gained approval from the FAA for the heights of several tower cranes needed on an 80-story residential construction project on the Florida coast.

The agency OK’d several tower cranes, one to a height of 1,000 ft., on the Cipriani Residences construction site in Brickell.

That one comes in at 1,003 ft. above sea level while a second tower crane is approved for up to 980 ft. above ground or 983 ft. above sea level.

The permanent height of the tower itself is planned at 940 ft. above ground, or 950 ft. above sea level, according to The Next Miami.

A phased foundation permit was approved on April 12, 2024, after a site work permit approval last summer. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in February.

“Two additional towers are also planned on the property, at 50 and 60 stories,” reported the Mami news organization. “The developer has previously said those towers, planned as rental apartments, would rise at the same time as the taller condo tower.”

The project’s completion is set for 2028. In the same area, a tower crane will rise to 852 ft. above sea level to build the 75-story

Baccarat Residences.

“One of the tallest buildings to ever break ground in Brickell,” the project launched this past October, reported thenextmiami.com.

The FAA cleared the installation of two cranes for the Baccarat project. Eventual heights will reach 887 ft. and 906 ft. above ground.

“Construction is also continuing on a second tower on the property, known as Viceroy Brickell,” the agency reported. In all 420 condos in 45 stories are planned.

Last fall, the site of Atlanta’s tallest high-rise in 30 years saw the installation of a tower crane over West Peachtree Street three months after groundbreaking.

Atlanta Urbanize reported that the crane will build a 60-story building, Atlanta’s tallest residential building and tallest mixed-use tower.

The tower, being built by Turner Construction, will climb more than 730 ft. above ground, making it the city’s fifth tallest high-rise.

Who Are You Gonna’ Call?

Cranes have been in demand in major cities for some time now. But projects in cities such as Omaha, Neb., and Boise, Idaho, are calling for taller rigs.

This year, workers installed a tower crane to eventually reach 750 ft. above ground for the new Mutual of Omaha headquarters office building. With the help of that and a second tower crane on the western edge of the project, the building is happening quickly.

“One of the beauties of going vertical is that you get out of the mud pretty quickly,” said Jason Lanoha, developer, so rain causes no delay in progress.

Adobe Stock photo

The demand for tower cranes continues for high-rise residential and mix-use construction projects.

Adobe Stock photo

Heavy-lift rotating cranes mounted on barges are the perfect tool for not only bridge construction but bridge collapse cleanup.

According to Omaha’s 3newsnow, Mutual of Omaha employees will be able to move into their new offices in 2026. Once construction is completed, the tower crane will be dismantled and the skyscraper will be the tallest building in Omaha standing at 677 ft. tall.

During the peak of construction, including the tower crane operator and crew the project will employ 700 workers. JE Dunn is the general contractor.

In Boise, Seid Cranes has seven tower cranes on construction projects including a new $1.5 million rig 250 ft. tall for a credit union building.

In fact, kivitv.com reported that Walker Seid, operations manager, said simply, “the buildings are getting taller.” That’s the tower crane’s cue.

It takes not only a brave tower crane operator, but a trusted crane provider to pull off construction of “sky-piercing” structures at lofty heights.

At a Miami high-rise project completed last year, G&E Florida Contractors chose Liebherr machines for material logistics and equipment dismantling. One of the challenges is material handling and the company rented three Liebherr tower cranes for the job, said Liebherr.

To hoist materials, two Litronic cranes and a derrick crane were designated. The Litronics will reach 753 ft. under the hook.

On this project, the higher of the two cranes was used to dismantle its lower partner as well as to build the derrick crane. Liebherr said the taller rig then was lowered to allow the derrick to disassemble the tower crane from the building structure.

The derrick’s main job for several weeks was to hoist construction materials. Once its term was over, the rig dismantled itself.

“The complexities and challenges of constructing a high-rise concrete structure cannot be understated,” said Albert Barthelemy, G&E project manager.  CQ

With the help of multiple rigs onsite construction projects are reaching completion sooner than new jobs are breaking ground.

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Lift Off

Liebherr Cranes Assisting With California Project

Simulating a real-life launch position, Bragg Companies utilized multiple Liebherr cranes to stack all flight certified components of the 20-story Endeavour space shuttle at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center within the California Science Center.

This is the world’s only authentic space shuttle system displayed in launch configuration.

The space shuttle Endeavour flew 25 missions and has inspired roughly 20 million guests from around the world since arriving at the California Science Center in October of 2012. The 122-ft.-long orbiter weighs 178,000 lbs., and has a wingspan of 78 ft.

With more than 6,000-man hours, including two years of preconstruction engineering and lift planning, Bragg Companies completes the full Endeavour space shuttle stack to simulate a real life launch position in the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The Oschin building was partially developed prior to stacking all orbiter launch flight components, and it will be completed around the erected launch display.

The full stack includes the Endeavour shuttle as well as two solid rocket boosters each consisting of an aft skirt at the base, a 116 ft. solid rocket motor and a forward assembly on top. The largest component of the stack is a 154 ft. external fuel tank. The roughly six-month stack process began in July 2023 with the installation of the aft skirts and was completed in January 2024.

Bragg created 20 engineered plans generated with more than 1,400-man hours spent on this lift.

Bragg Companies completed the full Endeavour space shuttle stack to simulate a real-life launch position in a new building at the CA Science Center called the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.

“With the lift and setting of the Endeavour, we have successfully completed the last-ever space shuttle stack. This is a dream over 30 years in the making, and a feat that has never before been accomplished outside of a NASA or Air Force facility,” said Jeffrey Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center.

Setting the Shuttle

Bragg used approximately five cranes across each of the lifts. The Liebherr LR 1750/2 crawler crane was onsite full time with frequent occurrences from various hydraulic truck cranes working concurrently throughout the duration of the project to perform various tasks. The Liebherr LR 1750 crawler crane had 1,466,000.00 lbs. of counterweight, a tip height of approximately 395 ft. and a max radius of approximately 151 ft.

“The Liebherr LR 1750s capability of electronically limiting the hoist and swing speed was vital to the success of the lifts due to the extremely tight tolerances in the pit and constant wind speed variables at the tip height,” said Justin Lambert, general manager of Bragg Crane & Rigging. “When flying priceless NASA artifacts such as the Endeavour and its ancillary support items, it is comforting knowing you have the quality, efficiency and pinpoint accuracy of a Liebherr built product behind you.”

To kick off the stack process, Bragg loaded and transported the aft skirts from Mojave, Calif., to Los Angeles, Calif., and then utilized the Liebherr LR 1750 crawler crane to lift and set the skirts. The company then used the crawler crane and the Liebherr LTM 1160 mobile crane to lift, upend and set the solid rocket motors as well as upend and set the external tank into final position.

The largest piece to maneuver was the Endeavour orbiter. After a difficult transport process, the Endeavour was lifted, upended,

“With the lift and setting of the Endeavour, we have successfully completed the last-ever space shuttle stack.”

Jeffrey Rudolph

and set inside the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center building using the Liebherr LR 1750 crawler crane with the support of the Liebherr LTM 1400 mobile crane and LTM 1160 mobile crane.

The most challenging part of the stack was attaching the external tank to Endeavour. Placing the tank was arduous as it had to be threaded down through the scaffolding without contacting anything else due to its entire outer layer being foam. Additionally, the tight tolerances of the mating points to the solid rocket boosters made the lift and set difficult.

After almost 14 hours of work the Endeavour was fully detached from the crane and sling, and the final mating of the space shuttle to the external tank and two solid rocket boosters was complete.

Overcoming Obstacles

A project of this magnitude requires precise lift planning months ahead of time. There were approximately 20 engineered plans generated with over 1,400-man hours spent on this lift. However, even with meticulous planning, Bragg had to overcome multiple challenges including tight working areas and weather.

During various lifts, high winds and rain affected the team when picking and setting the units into the new building. Due to the sheer size of the flight components and their large surface areas, all lifting needed to occur in minimal wind conditions. The least amount of wind was during the early hours of the morning, so the company worked through many nights to complete these complex lifts. Throughout these challenges, the project was completed with zero first aids, incidents or recordables.

Bragg Companies operates on the same set of standards as it did from its first day in business. The crane, rigging and heavy haul company operates in all 50 states and remains a leader in the crane, heavy construction, equipment and transportation industries.

Launchpad of Innovation

Construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a major expansion of the California Science Center and Endeavour’s permanent home, began in 2022 and will continue around the 20story shuttle display. Endeavour’s stack will remain covered by scaffolding, additional plywood and Kevlar fabric throughout the duration of the Air and Space Center construction process.

The future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will serve as a launchpad for creativity and innovation to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers. The 200,000-sq.-ft. expansion will nearly double the California Science Center’s educational exhibition space, adding an impressive collection of 100 authentic artifacts integrated with 100 new hands-on exhibits. 

(All photos courtesy of Liebherr.)

The Liebherr 1750 crawler crane had 1,466,000.00 lbs. of counterweight, a tip height of approximately 395 ft. and a max radius of approximately 151 ft.

Endeavour’s stack will remain covered by scaffolding, additional plywood and Kevlar fabric throughout the duration of the Air and Space Center construction process.