Badger Equipment Co., Winona, Minn., will re-enter the mobile crane market this year with 20- and 30-ton cab-down style rough-terrain cranes. The Badger brand RTs will partner with a product line of rail-mounted, truck, and crawler cranes currently produced under the Little Giant brand name.
“The cranes are designed for railroad customers doing hi-rail and maintenance right-of-way work, as well as refineries, contractors, and heavy industrial plants,” said Paul Marxen, sales manager.
The company last produced cranes in the mid-1990s. “Our decision to return to crane manufacturing was based on intense research, which began two years ago when the economy was more robust and other crane manufacturers were out two years on lead times,” said Marxen. Likewise, the trend has been for other manufacturers to build bigger cranes, leaving an opening in the market for cranes in this class, he added.
The cranes will feature a six-sided boom, Tier III Cummins engine, and standard all-wheel drive/steer, and crab steering. The optional Hi-Rail gear system will be fully integrated, for easy adaptation for rail applications. In addition, operators will appreciate a seven-position seat. Prototypes of the units are currently being constructed and the company plans to begin production in September. Marxen said the company has plans to develop a full product line in the future.
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