A new attachment for Manitowoc’s Model 16000 crawler crane will be on display in Manitowoc’s booth at ConExpo. The new attachment boosts the crane’s capacity, allowing it to erect the latest generation of wind turbines.

Manitowoc introduced the wind attachment for the Manitowoc 16000 in early 2010 and the first units are already working on projects in the field. The attachment uses existing hardware in a new configuration to give the crane significantly enhanced lift capability when working at short radii, as is generally required in wind turbine erection.

Jerry Maloney, global product director of Manitowoc’s crawler cranes, said the new development allows the Manitowoc 16000 to maintain its position as the preferred crane for wind turbine work.

“Since the Manitowoc 16000 launched five years ago, it has become one of the leading cranes for wind turbine erection in the U.S.,” he said. “Approximately 85 percent of the Manitowoc 16000 cranes we build are used in wind power work. The cranes are quick and easy to erect and disassemble and are equally easy to transport.”

By not requiring any modifications to the base crane, Manitowoc made it extremely simple for customers to take advantage of the new attachment.

Kevin Blaney, project leader on the development of the Manitowoc 16000 wind attachment, said customers appreciate the simplicity and familiarity when rigging the wind attachment.

“From an operational standpoint, customers are using the same components and processes they are familiar with,” he said. “The wind industry has evolved and turbines have become larger. We’ve evolved our product to meet the changing needs of our customers.

In recent years, wind turbines with a 1.5 mW generating capability have been common in many markets, including North America. More recently, there is a shift to 2.5 mW and larger turbines as wind farm operators maximize the power generating productivity of their land. Positioning these larger turbines requires cranes with greater capacity and reach.

The Manitowoc 16000 wind attachment fits to any 440 ton (399 t) rated standard Manitowoc 16000. Lifting duties at shorter radii are the most improved, and at 60 ft. (18 m), the crane has a capacity advantage of 49 percent compared with a standard Manitowoc 16000. This allows it to install most 2.5 mW wind turbines (and several larger ones) on towers between 262 and 279 ft. (80 and 85 m).

Aside from the wind attachment, the Model 16000 offers line pull of 35,000 lbs., which is especially useful for wind turbine installation.

Blaney said this powerful line pull was particularly well-liked in wind turbine applications.

“In wind farm assembly, our customers like the power and speed they get from the line pull,” he said. “It means they get their components in the air and assembled faster with the reassurance of Manitowoc’s strength. It’s simply more productive.”

Unlike other cranes suited to lifting larger wind turbines, the Manitowoc 16000 wind attachment does not use longer fixed or luffing jibs. Often, when working with a longer jib, the cut-off wind speed for safe operation is much lower than when working with just a boom and boom tip, according to the manufacturer. Using longer jibs can often cause delays when erecting wind turbines as, by its very nature, this work needs to take place in windy locations.

For more information, call 920/684-6621 or vist www.manitowoc.com.

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