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Why is it essential to choose the right crane for each job? The simplest answer to that question, according to Darren Reddekopp, VP of sales at Reynolds Equipment, is to keep the project schedule on track and to ensure a healthy bottom line for the contractor.
“It is critical to select the right manufacturer and partner to keep your jobsite moving,” Reddekopp said. “Productivity increases when a customer selects a crane that is reliable, and they have support from trained technicians if issues come up.”
Case in point, Reddekopp related, was a recent project by Zenith Tech, a Walbec Group Company based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The job called for work on the 52-mile Glacial Drumlin State Trail that runs between Milwaukee and Madison. The project involved replacing failing piers under a pedestrian/bike bridge that was built on an old railroad bed.
“We essentially had to build new piers to make the bridge safer but there was a narrow path to the site, and we couldn’t be on the bridge itself,” said Zenith Tech’s Construction Manager Steve Firari. “We had to think about the right equipment for the job.”
Those requirements, Firari related, included:
Making the Ideal Crane Choice
Working with Reynolds Equipment to rent the crane, Zenith Tech decided that the ideal choice of machine for the project was a Tadano GTC-2000. The 200-ton capacity telescopic boom crawler features an adjustable track width (from approximately 15 feet to 24 feet) in both symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations, so it can be used for applications with limited space. It also has low ground pressure for working on sensitive sites.
The Tadano dealer for Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula delivered the self-erecting model, which comes in five loads, to a field adjacent to the trail where Zenith Tech personnel and a Reynolds Equipment technician worked to set it up.
On the Glacial Drumlin State Trail project, Zenith Tech used the Tadano GTC-2000 for a variety of purposes, including lifting the bridge to get clearance underneath to drive pilings.
“We pulled the tracks in to walk the path, then put them back out to full width once we got to the pad that we built for it to sit on,” Firari related. “We were also able to put the tracks on, then walk it back to the site with the boom extended in front. It would not have been feasible to walk it back and put the crawler tracks on at the bridge because there just wasn’t enough room.”
Versatility With Desired Capacity
Zenith Tech crane operators Keith Keskimaki and Nate Stewart both said the Tadano GTC-2000’s usability in tight spaces and its versatility were major advantages.
“Our main use was driving piling 85 feet into the ground with a vibratory hammer,” said Keskimaki. “That was done in two sections. First, we drove a 55-footer in part way, then set a second beam on top and welded it onto the other before driving them both down to grade.
“We also moved a template and other materials as needed,” Keskimaki continued. “The Tadano had plenty of capacity in every situation. The load charts are on the in-cab monitor, and you can scroll through to choose the length of boom you want and find the sweet spot to pick the capacity
you want.”
For Stewart, the GTC-2000 was easy to operate. “The joysticks were responsive and the ability to slow it down without changing settings by using the throttle was very helpful,” he said.
“Another feature that stands out is the visibility to the load,” Stewart added. “In the cab there is glass all around, including the top, so it’s easy to see where to put your hook. The cab also tilts up to 16 degrees, which adds to the visibility when needed.”
Meeting Support Needs
Zenith Tech Equipment Manager Kyle Ehley gives high marks to Reynolds Equipment, which has also supplied the contractor with Tadano GTC-700 and GR-550 cranes. “Over the years, we haven’t had any issues,” he said. “If we do have a question or need, Reynolds Equipment and their support team from Tadano have been very responsive.”
Reddekopp noted that, beyond the right crane for the job at the best rental rate, equipment performance is ultimately the key to the success of any project.
“That’s why we invest in training, parts and service to ensure we support our customers like Zenith Tech,” he said.
