Yonkers is using its GRT crane to lift steel beams, precast drainage pipes and other materials.

Yonkers Contracting Company (Yonkers) is using its recently acquired Grove GRT880 on an infrastructure project along Route 17 in Harriman, N.Y. The project, which includes building a new bridge, a new interchange and inserting new drainage, has a quick-paced schedule and is expected to be completed later this year.

Yonkers is using its GRT crane to lift steel beams, precast drainage pipes and other materials for the project. Due to the reach needed to complete the lifts of the steel beams and drainage pipes, the GRT880's impressive load charts were on full display. On the job site, loads as much as 20 tons are being raised to heights of 25 ft. and then placed below ground level at radii up to 75 ft.

"The 50 ton cranes we typically use didn't have the capacities for the type of lifting that we needed to do on this job, so we really had to look at load charts to see which crane was best for us," said Lou Marino, VP equipment operation at Yonkers. "The GRT880 has been a great fit for this project. Its lifting capacity and boom length were ideal for the job, and we haven't had any downtime with the crane, which has enabled us to boost our efficiency."

Grove's Crane Control System (CCS) also was an important feature that stood out to the contractor. Yonkers has a fleet of approximately 750 pieces of equipment and uses them across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, so ease of use and consistency within operation is paramount.

"Because our equipment gets moved around to different states, we don't have the same operators on the equipment every day," Marino said. "So, it is important for us to have a crane that is easy to operate with a cab that was comfortable. I think we found exactly that with the GRT880."

CCS features a user-friendly interface, featuring two full-graphic displays mounted vertically for easier viewing and a jog dial for easier navigation and data input. The system allows the electronic controllers to be reprogrammed by the operator for specific speed and reaction. It also has a 20 degree tilt cab for optimal vision and comfort for the operator.

Over the years, Yonkers has worked closely with its Grove and Manitowoc dealer Hoffman Equipment, from which it also purchased the GRT880. The Piscataway, N.J.-based construction equipment dealer was once again influential in helping Yonkers choose its newest machine, even helping get the crane certified in New York City.

"The tilt cab and CCS in the GRT880 are great, but Yonkers needed this crane to complete the Route 17 project because of the machine's added boom length and higher capacity," said Pasquale Tomasetti, account manager and sales representative at Hoffman Equipment. "We've had a great working relationship with Yonkers over the years, whether it's selling new equipment, servicing machines or answering any questions that they have. We look forward to seeing this crane on other job sites helping them drive results."

For more information, visit www.manitowoc.com­.

This story also appears on Crane Equipment Guide.

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