Manitex introduces 70-ton TCC-700

With close to 100 representatives of its dealer network in attendance, Manitex Inc. unveiled the 70-ton TC700 truck-mounted telescopic crane at an open house event celebrating the company’s 25^th anniversary at the company’s manufacturing facility in Georgetown, TX.

“This is a major new foray into the truck crane market,” said Andrew Rooke, president and COO of Manitex International. “We believe this new model moves things forward for the betterment of Mantex International.”

With the first two prototypes designed and built in Italy, the TC700 was built from the ground up with global markets in mind. The machine is CE compliant and designed to be fitted to trucks manufactured around the globe with 12 or 24 volt electrical systems. It also can comply with EN 13000 regulations.

The truck crane was purposed designed to be used on commercial carriers, allowing operators quick travel to and between job sites. Once on the job, the TC700’s ROC-rock solid radio outrigger controls, swing out outrigger design, on-board outrigger pads and remote winch control option combine to greatly speed set- up time by a single operator, the company said.

The TC700 offers:

• 70-ton (63.5 mt) capacity at 8 ft.(2.4 m) radius
• 115 ft. (38.1m) main boom length
• 180 ft. (54.9 m) maximum tip height with optional 2-piece jib
• 15,000 lbs. (6804 kg) bare drum line pull rating
• Optional lattice jib base with pull out box section stinger with offsets of 0° / 20° / 40°
• CE and ASME B30.5 Compliant

Operator comfort and ease of transportability was a key consideration in the design of the new crane.

“When your cab is your office, it’s got to be a comfortable place to work,” saysRandy Robertson, director of sales and marketing for Manitex. “We’ve designed the TC700 with more leg room, a wider interior, heated seats and included many other features with available options to increase comfort, allowing operators to work more confidently and efficiently.”

The TC700 operator cab tilts 20 degrees to minimize neck strain and offer the clearest view of the load. From inside the cab, a single screen displays both engine function and crane parameters using an all new load moment indicator. Two dual-axis, low-effort joysticks provide smooth and precise control of boom functions, the company said. Winch controls are fitted with HDRI -Hoist Drum Rotation Indicators. HDRI thumpers notify the operator when the winch is rotating enabling the operator to focus on load placement.

The subframe of the machine is designed to be compatible with varying truck chassis rails and widths, enabling the crane to be shipped internationally and installed on locally manufactured 8x4 chassis. Five and six axle factory installed configurations will be available to the North American market.

“The TC700 is our most technologically advanced crane and is designed to help operators work more efficiently, comfortably and profitably,” said Robertson. “It’s only fitting we unveil the TC700 as we celebrate 25 years in business with our dealers and supporters who helped us reach this important milestone.”

Among the more notable attributes of the crane is the four-section formed boom, which boasts a 70-ton capacity at an 8 foot rated distance from the center of rotation. The crane has a 115 foot maximum boom length and a maximum tip height of 125 feet. The crane can be rigged with a 31/53 foot optional telescopic jib and is equipped with a full load moment indicator with work area definition.

The two protoypes shown at the anniversary event were mounted on the Kenworth T800 chassis and the Kenworth W900 chassis, with the T800 designed for the Canadian market and the W900 designed for the U.S. market. The crane can also be mounted on a number of European and other chassis manufactured around the world.

The crane is shipped with 22,000 pounds of counterweight. This is the first Manitex crane with an integrated hydraulic mounting system. The unit weighs 100,000 pounds with counterweights and about 80,000 pounds without.

The company said the crane will be marketed to such markets as oil and gas, heavy construction and highway projects.

Crane Works ordered the first two units with shipping forecast for late 2013. Other orders came from Cropac, North West Crane and ALT Sales.

The new crane will be manufactured at the Georgetown manufacturing facility.