Model 31000 with three boom configurations

Manitowoc has announced that testing is near complete on its 2,535-US ton capacity Model 31000. The first unit is scheduled to be delivered in early 2012.

In addition to the crane's innovative Variable Position Counterweight, the boom and jib combinations are the longest ever designed for Manitowoc crawler cranes, the company said.

Mike Wood, senior product manager, said with a crane the size of the Model 31000, maximizing flexibility and versatility were major design priorities.

"We have designed the 31000 to be as adaptable as possible," Wood said. "The crane is available with multiple boom and jib configurations, as well as five counterweight configurations."

The 31000 comes standard with a 55 meter (180 foot) heavy-lift main boom, but using optional 5 meter (16 foott) and 10 meter (33 foot) inserts, the main boom can be extended to a total length of 110 meters (361 feet). Optional boom configurations can also dramatically increase the crane's reach and lift height.

The first attachment is a fixed jib with a basic rating of 1,543 tons (1,400 metric tons) and a basic configuration of 24 meters (79 feet). Using optional inserts, users can extend the fixed jib to 42 meters (138 feet).

A luffing jib is also available for the 31000. The standard luffing jib is 36 meters (118 feet), but by using optional inserts, the luffing jib can be extended to 114 meters (472 feet). Maximum capacity of the luffing jib is 1,212 tons (1,100 metric tons).

The 31000 also has a combination boom, which combines parts of the main boom and the luffing jib. With various inserts, the combination boom has a total maximum length of 138 meters (453 feet).