Benchley Cranes grows fleet with new Tadano RT

Benchley Crane of Forestville, N.Y. has purchased their first Tadano, a GR-1000XLL-4 rough terrain crane. It will be used primarily to expand the company’s offerings for the long-term steel erection and windfarm installation business.

Pictured left to right: Jayden Hawkins, Benchley Crane; Mike Baron, Empire Crane; and Lukas and Andrew Benchley, Benchley Crane.

“We’ve heard good things about Tadano cranes, and the lift chart and extra boom length were selling points for us,” said Andrew Benchley, vice president, Benchley Cranes. “It is the largest rough terrain crane in our fleet, offering a 100-ton capacity.”

Benchley Crane’s GR-1000XLL-4, purchased from Empire Crane Company of N. Syracuse, N.Y., has a hydraulically telescoping maximum main boom length of 167.3 feet, the longest boom in the 100-ton class. It also features 24,700 pounds of self-removable counterweight to get the operator the best possible load chart and radius in the smallest package.

“It also has the (Tadano) Smart Counterweight system which gives us two mounting positions, one to reduce tail swing, which is helpful when working in tight sites,” added Benchley.

After Benchley Cranes took delivery of the new crane, Empire Crane conducted training, so the lifting company’s operators could get used to its new features.

One of the biggest advantages for Benchley Cranes is the GR-1000XLL-4’s Smart Chart feature that helps to maximize the crane’s lift capacity, especially when the outriggers cannot be fully deployed, the company said.