Two Manitex models now reach higher

Manitex has announced that two of its models, the 124SX and 40124S, have new tip heights. Both models have extended reach by 13% from 166 to 190 feet (51 to 58 m).

The truck mounted cranes, used primarily in the building of ethanol plants in the Midwest and power grid construction, were modified from customer requests. "Power lines are now carrying more current and, therefore, need to be lifted off the ground higher," said Scott Rolston, Manitex president. "That's where the 124SX and 40124S come in."

Manitex also has incorporated a hoist drum rotation indicator (HDRI) as a standard feature on its 40 and 50 ton (36 and 45 tonne) units. The indicator is an electronically operated system that provides the operator with touch indication of drum rotation. It allows the crane operator to know if the drum is rotating, and at what speed.

The indicator consists of three parts: a magnetic sensor, a controller unit and an indicator unit.

"Offering HDRI as a standard feature in our larger machines just makes sense," Rolston says. "Giving better load control to the operators is a task we at Manitex are always working to improve."

The HDRI works by the sensor picking up on rotation of the motor shaft which is connected by wiring to the controller unit that acts as a pulse generator. The controller then sends a pulsating signal proportional to rotation speed to the indicator unit in the control lever handle where it pulsates in time with the signal from the controller unit.