Manitowoc Unveils 165-Ton Crawler Crane at ConExpo

March 10, 2020 -- Among the six brand-new cranes on display in Manitowoc’s exhibit at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 is the MLC150-1, the latest in a line of crawler cranes that have been very successful in North America, especially for their competitive load charts and jobsite maneuverability.

The new crawler crane continues the momentum of Manitowoc’s popular MLC100-1, which was announced in June 2018 at Manitowoc’s Crane Days. The MLC150-1 increases the capacity to 165 U.S.-ton and adds several new features. It is designed to meet the needs of customers who want a compact, maneuverable, easy-to-transport crawler crane with a strong load chart.

“A big component of The Manitowoc Way is listening to exactly what our customers need and want in their cranes,” said Brennan Seeliger, product manager at Manitowoc Cranes. “We have had great feedback on the MLC100-1, so we based the new MLC150-1 on that model, but boosted the capacity for the 165-U.S.-ton class.”

The MLC150-1 features a maximum boom length of 256’. An 80’ fixed jib with 29.5-U.S.-ton maximum capacity is available, and a 170’ luffing jib with 50.2-U.S.-ton capacity is another strong option.

This new crane features quicker assembly than previous models, too. A boom-butt-mounted sheave enables self assembly without the boom top, features a button style rope termination, and a gantry-raised counterweight reduces components. The boom cap, jib butt, and struts ship as a single package for fewer connections.

It’s also easier to transport. An increased hook height enables self-assembly with various trailer heights, and the crane is designed to be transported with minimal permitted loads.

Operators will particularly enjoy using Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS), which can be found across Manitowoc’s crane ranges and provides commonality in operation and maintenance. Additionally, the left side console rotates for improved operator entry and exit.

“Users will really like the upgrades to the cab in the MLC150-1,” Seeliger said. “While this crane has great capacity and reach for the 165-U.S.-ton class, improved transport and erection efficiencies are always something users like to see.”