The MLC165, first shown at Bauma, will have its official launch stateside.
Manitowoc has announced it will show two completely new crawler cranes at the Conexpo show in Las Vegas in March, as well as the US debut of its 165t capacity MLC165 crawler.
In court documents released in its patent lawsuit against Sany, US-based Manitowoc revealed that it was working on two medium-sized crawler cranes which will utilise its variable position counterweight (VPC) technology, which to date has only been seen on its larger size 31000 crawler crane. Whether the new crawlers launching in March will use the VPC technology – which in the documents Manitowoc refered to as ‘revolutionary’, citing its ability to allow the cranes to be rigged in significantly different configurations on site – remains to be seen.
Meanwhile the MLC165, first shown at Bauma, will have its official launch stateside.
Jerry Maloney, global product director for Manitowoc, said the new MLC165’s many features make it an extremely versatile crawler crane for both contractors and rental houses.
“This self-rigging crane is very easy to assemble and disassemble,” he said. “It can install and remove its own counterweights and tracks without the need for an assist crane. In addition, it has a 3 metre component width and modular assemblies for easy transport over the road. The MLC165 features all the latest technology to benefit everyone from owners to the operator.”
The crane is easy to maneuver on a job site or among several job sites, making it ideal for general contractors, bridge builders, steel erectors, pile-driving contractors and more. It continues the reputation established by two other highly-successful Manitowoc models, the Manitowoc 555 and the Manitowoc 777.
Steven Dick, technical sales support coordinator for Manitowoc, said the crane’s design makes it suitable for a variety of applications.
“Our engineers designed the MLC165 to facilitate general contractor activities, like pile driving and moderate clamshell or grapple work,” he said. “The MLC165 is built to be a versatile tool.”
In the GCC, Manitowoc’s range of crawler cranes are sold and supported directly by the manufacturer’s Middle East office.