10 Spending Tips for Equipment Finance
By Kenneth Bentsen Jr. >more
Common Sense Safety A chief master instructor and reader weighs in on anchorage points. >more
Publisher's Perspective
Green Fever Environmental awareness is sweeping the nation. Now the industry’s manufacturers are taking the lead on this hot topic. By Erin Whitehead >more
Crane Operator Licensing News Causes Industry Waves By Katie Parrish >more
Call for 2008 LLEAP Awards Nominations
May 9, 2008 – For the fourth year, Lift and Access is hosting the Leadership in Lifting Equipment and Aerial Platforms (LLEAP) Awards, which is intended to recognize products, accessories, or design concepts that are considered innovative or have advanced the state of the lifting equipment industry. To qualify for consideration, products must have been introduced or delivered to the North American market between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2008.
May 9, 2008 – HBC-radiomatic, Crailsheim, Germany, has announced it will be expanding and moving its North American headquarters to Hebron, Ky. HBC-radiomatic manufactures radio controls used in a variety of industrial applications such as factory and tower cranes and concrete pumps.
SC&R Foundation Awards $30,000 in Scholarships, Grants
May 9, 2008 – The SC&R Foundation, Fairfax, Va., recently awarded $27,000 in scholarships for 2008-2009 to nine students preparing for careers related to transportation or construction management. Additionally, the foundation awarded $3,000 in grants for the pursuit of technical degrees or certificates. All of the winners were recognized during the recent SC&RA Annual Conference. Three of the recipients, Matthew Blaine Crawford, Dawn Hemsey and Marie Hansen Neff were in attendance to receive personal recognition. Since 1986, the SC&R Foundation has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships.
Manitou’s New MLT 735 Telehandler Features New Cab, Other Upgrades
Manitou's MLT 735 features a new Evolution cab.
May 9, 2008 – Waco, Texas-based Manitou North America has announced the addition of a new model to the Evolution Series of multi-purpose telehandler models. The MLT 735 replaces the previous MLT 634 and MLT 741 units. The 735 combines the features of its predecessors and incorporates many new additional features. These features include an EPA Tier 3 compliant engine, the new Evolution cab, paint, and decal scheme. Other value-added benefits include an improved light package, improvements to the air conditioning system and the addition of the new JSM joystick.
May 8, 2008 – Maxim Crane Works, Bridgeville, Pa., announced Monday that it has entered into a merger agreement with affiliates of Platinum Equity Capital Partners II, Beverly Hills, Calif. Platinum Equity will acquire for cash all of the outstanding common stock of Maxim Crane for $42.50 per share. Holders of Series A and Series B Warrants to acquire Maxim Crane common stock will receive the difference between the exercise price of their warrants and $42.50 per share.
The Iowa Safety and Health Administration has determined that improper work practices contributed to the death of a 56-year-old man who became lodged between an aerial work platform and a ceiling beam at an ethanol plant in Febuary. IOSHA cited a Minnesota construction company for three serious violations and fined the Minnesota-based construction company $15,000.
According to an IOSH letter addressed to the construction company in late April, the firm put its employee at risk by failing to test the lift controls on the platform each day prior to use; not ensuring the boom platform had both functional and available upper and lower controls; and neglecting to provide proper training to the lift operator. “The employer did not have each employee who is involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, maintaining, repairing or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question,” IOSH said, meaning the operators were not knowledgeable of operations or controls, emergency situations, proper placement, or safety guidelines.
Each violation resulted in a $5,000 fine and demands corrective action. Unless it contests the findings, the company must resolve the first two issues by May 20, and the third by June 11.
Hirschmann Offers Crane Makers and Owners Flexibility in Mobile Control
Hirschmann's new Scalable Mobile Control System consists of two levels of iFlex Controls.
April 23, 2008 – Hirschmann Automation and Control, Chambersburg, Pa., introduced a Scalable Mobile Control System at ConExpo, which is designed to allow OEMs to mix-and-match components according to the application. While mobile cranes are a primary market for this product series, the system also meets the requirements of other construction, agricultural, and mining applications such as telehandlers, wheel loaders, excavators, and road pavers.
March 5, 2008 – JLG Industries, McConnellsburg, Pa., has built more 40-foot boom lifts for longer than any other company. In total, the company has delivered in excess of 40,000 40-foot gas/propane or diesel-powered booms.
The Model 400S is actually JLG’s fifth-generation 40-foot boom, and along with sister machine 460SJ, which features a 6-foot articulating jib, they make up a powerful one-two product punch.
