Manitowoc updates boom attachment

Manitowoc has launched its updated Wide Boom Plus insert kit for its MLC300 VPC-MAX lattice-boom crawler crane.

The updated attachment offers a maximum boom length of 131 metres (Photo: Manitowoc)

The updated attachment offers a maximum boom length of 131 metres, with a tip height of 138 metres with the extended upper boom point.

In addition to the longer boom lengths, the company said that the extra 30 per cent capacity allows contractors to respond to the trend for taller, heavier wind turbines while continuing to enjoy the benefits of operating smaller cranes.

Brennan Seeliger, Manitowoc’s product manager for crawler cranes said, “As wind turbines increase in size and weight, the need to be able to perform construction and maintenance above 90 metres without increasing crane footprint or setup time was a high priority for our customers.”

First customer

Lomma Crane & Rigging is the first company to purchase the kit. Lomma partnered with JMS Crane & Rigging to install it on an MLC300 VPC-MAX for maintenance work on multiple wind tower sites across the upper Midwest.

“We are excited to have been a part of the kit’s development and now see it at work in the field. It radically expands the use of the MLC300 for renewable energy jobs,” said Steve Burkholder, heavy lift manager at Lomma.

“Now that 89, 90 and 95 meter towers are becoming more prevalent, we would have to rely on our larger Manitowoc Model 16000 or add a luffing jib to our MLC300 if Manitowoc hadn’t answered our prayers for the Wide Boom Plus kit.

“It also enables a much friendlier crane build, with a smaller footprint, and saves us around 16-20 hours in assembly and disassembly time per job. Given that we might do that 300 times a year, it’s a major benefit to us,” said Rich Johnson, vice president of JMS.

Lomma Crane & Rigging is the first company to purchase the kit (Photo: Manitowoc)