Lift Assist

Construction companies continue to discover the benefits of articulating cranes. Although articulating cranes remain relatively unfamiliar in some North American markets, many electric, water, natural gas, propane and underground construction entities are finding that cranes are capable of meeting their unique material-handling needs with greater efficiency. Companies that have not explored the idea of using an articulating crane might be surprised at how well-suited the equipment is for the utilities segment.

Meeting the Market’s Needs

From their yards to the jobsite, all utility companies have a spectrum of material-handling needs. Each utility type has unique daily tasks that make articulating cranes a viable option. The greatest demand for articulating cranes in the utilities sector is coming from large power companies, according to Craig Capeder, president of Minnesota-based Truck Utilities, an articulating crane distributor.

“There certainly has been more utilization than there had once been,” Capeder says, “and it’s primarily using the cranes to handle transformers, poles and large hardware used in the construction of either distribution or transmission, as well as underground. These utilities tend to have the heavier lifting requirements.”

With many municipalities now prohibiting the construction of overhead power lines, electric companies have additional challenges to consider when selecting equipment for laying underground wires or setting pad-mount transformers. Many have determined that articulating cranes are a good solution.

“When you go underground, you may need much larger transformers,” says John Field, product manager of Material Handling at Iowa Mold Tooling Co. (IMT), an articulating crane manufacturer. “You might have a 2,500-lb transformer for a small apartment complex, and a transformer for a subdivision can weigh more than 12,500 lbs. These power companies need a good way to transport and place something that heavy, and articulating cranes are a good fit. Articulating cranes are also very useful for moving large cable reels.”

Natural gas companies utilize articulating cranes primarily to pick up and place pipe of varying size, weight and dimension, while propane companies find the cranes useful for placing tanks — especially because articulating cranes make it easier to navigate around obstacles and avoid overhead obstructions in residential neighborhoods. Water departments use articulating cranes in a variety of applications, including placing meter vaults into the ground or steel plates on the road while repairing water lines. When you consider overhead obstacles such as traffic lights and power lines, articulating cranes are more efficient because they can lift their maximum rating at horizontal position, whereas telescopic cranes generally must be vertical to perform maximum lifts.

Advantages of Articulating

Utility companies, particularly electric companies, have traditionally relied on telescopic cranes or digger derricks to meet their varied lifting needs. Some might be uncomfortable considering an articulating crane unless they fully understand the advantages of the alternative method.

“Utilities use articulating cranes because the lift-to-weight ratio lets them have payload left on their vehicle so they can transport needed construction supplies to a job and unload them at that point,” Capeder says. “A straight boom generally weighs more, so the primary purpose of a telescopic crane is loading and unloading.”

“Not only does an articulating crane make it easier for a truck to carry more payload, you have no height restrictions on your load with them,” adds Field. “And setup time is generally quicker with an articulating crane than a telescopic crane because you don’t have to set your boom height up for your cable to come down. You typically just get in position, put your ring to your hook and away you go.”

Another upside of articulating cranes is that manufacturers typically offer customers a much larger selection of models. IMT recently introduced a new 47 tm crane to its lineup of articulating cranes, providing another option for customers requiring increased reach and lift capabilities.

“With more cranes to choose from, users can purchase a model ideally suited to their application,” Field says. “They aren’t forced to spend extra money for a larger crane because there is no right-sized option available.”

Electric companies continue to utilize digger derricks to set poles and dig holes, but the equipment is incapable of setting large transformers. Depending on the frequency of their material handling needs, companies could fill this equipment void with an articulating crane. “A good rule of thumb for a utility is that the more customers you have, the more likely you are to need an articulating crane,” Field says. “With fewer customers, it might be more cost effective to rent when the occasional need arises.”

Perception Is Not Reality

Utility companies may have negative perceptions of articulating cranes that can be easily changed with increased familiarity. Telescopic crane operators are accustomed to using a winch, so they might look at an articulating crane without a winch and see a weakness where they could see a strength. On an articulating crane, the boom is capable of articulating directly to the payload without a winch — something a stick boom cannot do. In applications where a winch on an articulating crane is beneficial or required — such as precision-placing a load 10 ft or more underground — an articulating crane can adapt. 

“An articulating crane has versatility,” Field says. “You can lift with a hook. You can lift with a winch. Typically, a winch is not necessary on an articulating crane, but you can use one if the application calls for it.”

Companies that are used to digger derricks may think articulating cranes need a top seat to operate them. Most of today’s articulating cranes are run by radio remote, which promotes operator safety while allowing greater visibility.

“It ends up being an advantage once they get used to it,” Field says. Also, many people who have never operated an articulating crane might expect it to be more difficult to use than a telescopic crane. In fact, a crane operator who is accustomed to telescopic cranes will likely pick up articulating crane operation fairly quickly.

Both telescopic cranes and articulating cranes have four basic steps of operation. With a telescopic crane, it’s boom up and down, boom extension, rotation and winch activation up and down. With an articulating crane, it’s main boom, outer boom, extension and rotation. A fifth winch activation step would be necessary if the articulating crane had one. Otherwise, they both have four functions. The articulating crane lifts the payload with a boom hook, and a stick crane lifts the payload with a winch hook.

Choosing the Right Articulating Crane

The process of selecting the ideal articulating crane for the job starts with the answer to two questions: How much will typically be lifted? And how far will the crane need to reach to place it? Capacity and reach are the biggest determinants of the base crane model.

The best approach is to analyze potential jobs and choose a crane that best meets the common capacity and reach needs. Renting might be a good option for projects with out-of-the-ordinary capacity or reach requirements. The cost of an occasional crane rental pales in comparison to the price of purchasing, particularly when jumping from the mid-range capacity or reach to the high end of the spectrum. Different transportation permit requirements and higher insurance rates could make purchasing “too much crane” even more costly.

Once the lift and reach capacity are figured, crane purchasers should also decide how much payload they plan to legally carry and which mounting option best meets their application needs.

“Keeping your truck legal means taking into account the gross vehicle weight with the payload, the crane, the accessories and the truck itself,” Field says. “Also, many utility companies pull a backhoe in order to dig trenches once they arrive at the jobsite, and some want towing capabilities. In all cases, we recommend a detailed weight distribution and stability analysis. This eliminates any guesswork.”

Where to mount the crane on the truck is an important consideration. Customers may not realize that rear-mounting the crane can offer a better working range so they can set the payload right off the back of the truck. This mounting option enables operators to better utilize the crane rating because they can get closer to where the payload will be set.

“If you front-mount an articulating crane, you typically have to side-deliver the product because, if you tried to set the payload off the back of the truck with a front-mount crane, you’d have already wasted maybe 25 ft, and that takes away from the crane’s capacity,” Field says. “Front mounting could also overload the front axle, so the weight distribution is often better with a rear-mounted crane. Trailer-mounting is another option.”

Articulating cranes have found a niche in the utilities market. With their numerous benefits, they can be an attractive equipment alternative for most companies. A visit to a crane distributor can help utility companies get more familiar with the articulating crane and determine if it’s the right material-handling solution for them.

Troy Johnson is a Technical Writer for Two Rivers Marketing in Des Moines, Iowa.

Green Vehicles

Azure Dynamics to Begin Integrating Plug-In Hybrid Technology in Ford F-Series Super-Duty Trucks

Azure Dynamics Corp. is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Ford Motor Co. is a global innovator of cars, trucks and vocational vehicles. Now these two captains of industry will be combining their powers. Azure’s plug-in hybrid technology will be integrated on Ford’s market leading F-Series Super Duty cab and chassis, the F-550, which is expected to be available in early 2013. 

“We are extremely pleased to expand our relationship with Ford and launch our PHEV technology on the F-Series Super Duty platform, which is the largest and most successful cab and chassis brand in North America,” said Scott Harrison, Azure’s CEO.  “This is an ideal outcome for Azure and our customers.” 

The agreement also allows Azure to perform hybrid powertrain conversions on other Super Duty platforms including F-350 and F-450 models and spans all engine, frame length and regular production options and configurations.  The Super Duty program will allow Azure to further expand its product line-up in its targeted medium duty commercial truck segment. The Azure/Ford agreement includes a ‘ship-thru’ provision that permits Azure to place vehicles in the Ford transportation system and allows qualified Ford Commercial Truck dealerships to sell and service the product in key markets in North America.

With more than a 50 percent market share, the Ford F-Series Super Duty is the most established cab and chassis brand in the North American market. The commercial cab and chassis industry supports approximately 100,000 vehicles per year and is the preferred active work-truck for thousands of commercial fleets managing a broad range of logistical needs. The Super Duty offers several diesel and gasoline engine options and a variety of cab, bed and accessories options.

“As interest in alternative energy products continues to grow, consumers are looking for more powertrain options that are both environmentally friendly and fit their driving needs,” said Rob Stevens, commercial vehicle chief engineer, Ford Motor Co. “The flexibility of our vehicle platforms and chassis allows Ford to develop our own alternative fuel products or work with partners, like Azure Dynamics, to deliver consumers with the power of choice when purchasing a greener, more fuel efficient vehicle.”