Crane Guide October 2025 by Construction Equipment Guide

SAFER OPERATIONS SAFER OPERATIONS CRANE CRANE

After Hurricane Milton caused damage in the state, Florida updated its crane rules to cover operations before a potential storm.

Washington, Florida, NYC Update Construction Crane Operations Rules

By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT

This year, Washington and Florida updated their construction crane rules after accidents forced changes. In New York, the city’s buildings code now addresses the operation of several types of cranes on construction sites.

The rules changes benefit crane operators and ground crew by improving working conditions; force contractors to make sure their job sites are safe places to work; and ensure the public can freely live and move around job sites.

In September, Washington State made its new regulation for cranes and derricks in construction official. The rule had been in development since 2018, according to reports by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

The state’s intent is to ensure its rules for crane operation are at least as effective as those of federal OSHA.

It also addresses other areas in the state’s safety standards for construction work related to cranes.

Washington State Matches OSHA Rules

These sections are based on current industry practice or clarifying language to maintain safety and health protections for employees.

NCCCO reports the 243-page rule addresses a number of topics, starting with OSHA-Initiated Changes.

According to the State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), the rule amends the safety standards for cranes and derricks in construction.

“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently updated their standards,” the department said in announcing the changes. “These updates included clarifying each employer’s duty to ensure the competency of crane operators through training, certification or licensing and evaluation.”

The department noted that OSHA also altered a provision that

required different levels of certification based on the rated lifting capacity of equipment.

“While testing organizations are not required to issue certifications distinguished by rated capacities, they are permitted to do so,” it said.

“And employers may accept them or continue to rely on certifications based on crane type alone,” added the department.

OSHA’s rule establishes minimum requirements for determining operator competency.

Another recent update by OSHA included exemptions and clarifications for unique equipment used in roadway railway work.

In Washington, the state’s goal was to ensure its rules for crane operation are at least as effective as those of federal OSHA.

continued on page 8

Aspen Equipment aspenequipment.com

Minneapolis 9150 Pillsbury Ave. S Bloomington, MN 952-888-2525

Omaha 11475 S 153rd St. Omaha, NE 402-894-9300

Des Moines

1525 SE Cortina Dr. Ankeny, IA 515-965-1000

Kansas City 1510 SE Kingspoint Dr. Lee’s Summit, MO 816-451-1745

Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. www.nixonegli.com

2044 South Vineyard Avenue Ontario, CA 91761 909-930-1822

800 East Grantline Road Tracy, CA 95304 209-830-8600

Stephenson Equipment www.stephensonequipment.com

Harrisburg, PA 800-325-6455

Philadelphia, PA 800-220-4033 Pittsburgh, PA 800-692-7600

Wilkes-Barre, PA 866-667-6756

Opening Fall 2025 Lancaster, PA 800-325-6455

Albany, NY 518-357-2200

Syracuse, NY 800-368-6455

JDC teamjdc.com

777 Doheny Drive Northville, MI 48167 800-336-4369

Antioch, CA 925-434-0320

Bay Shore, NY 631-416-5070

Cincinnati, OH 513-250-3080 Corona, CA 951-281-2550

Gonzales, LA 225-647-3010

Joliet, IL 815-727-1000

Greenville, SC 864-315-2900

La Porte, TX 281-842-8700

Orlando, FL 407-654-3840

Sulphur, LA 337-607-3260

Westfield, MA 413-642-4000

Twinsburg, OH 330-486-0800

Wharton, NJ 973-206-4300

Whitestown, IN 317-768-2600

Alta Equipment Company

www.altaequipment.com

Byron Center, MI (616) 878-7450

New Hudson, MI (248) 356-5200

Flint (Burton), MI (810) 744-4840

Traverse City, MI (231) 943-3700

Detroit, MI (313) 394-1811

Atlantic & Southern Equipment

www.atlanticandsouthern.com

Birmingham, AL (205) 951-6656

Theodore, AL (251) 443-5229

Lake City, GA (404) 361-1100

Midland, NC (704) 731-7272

Central/Eastern, TN (888) 951-6656

General Equipment & Supplies

www.genequip.com

Shakopee, MN (952) 224-1500

Minot, ND (701) 852-0479

Fargo, ND (800) 437-2924

Bismarck, ND (701) 223-9700

Williston, ND (701) 572-0570

Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

www.nixonegli.com

Ontario, CA (909) 930-1822

Tracy, CA (209) 830-8600

Columbus Equipment Company

www.columbusequipment.com

Columbus (614) 443-6541

Toledo (419) 872-7101

Cincinnati (513) 771-3922

Richfield (330) 659-6681

Cadiz (740) 942-8871

Dayton (937) 879-3154

Massillon (330) 833-2420

Zanesville (740) 455-4036

Piketon (740) 289-3757

Kelly Tractor Co.

Crane & Foundation Equipment

www.kellytractor.com

Clewiston, FL (863) 983-8177

Davie, FL (954) 581-8181

Ft. Myers (239) 693-9233

Mulberry, FL (863) 205-2537

Miami, FL (305) 592-5360

Orlando, FL (407) 568-8055

West Palm Beach, FL (561) 683-1231

Rudd Equipment Company

www.ruddequipment.com

Louisville, KY (800) 283-7833

Corbin, KY (606) 528-9440

Prestonsburg, KY (606) 874-2104

Evansville, IN (812) 867-6661

Ft. Wayne, IN (260) 482-3681

Indianapolis, IN (317) 247-9125

St. Louis, MO (314) 487-8925

Clearfield, PA (814) 765-8500

Leetsdale, PA (412) 741-1731

Nitro, WV (304) 755-7788

Link-Belt Construction Equipment Mid-Atlantic

www.link-beltmidatlantic.com

Ashland, VA (800) 552-3837

Chesapeake, VA (800) 342-3248

Frederick, MD (833) 546-5235

New Castle, DE (302) 501-6900

Transport Equipment Sales

www.tes-inc.net

South Kearny, NJ (973) 589-4100

Wood’s CRW Corp

www.woodscrw.com

Carlisle, PA (717) 795-0700

Central Square, NY (315) 676-2008

Williston, VT (802) 658-1700

North Oxford, MA (508) 499-1950

“This rulemaking is also intended to provide clarity on L&I’s interpretation of requirements related to crane decertification and reinstatement,” said the office.

The changes clarify what activities are covered and clearly state that damage to critical parts of the crane would require notification, rather than implication.

“The proposed language will also add crane tip-overs as a reporting requirement,” said L&I.

The assumption is that a crane involved in a tip-over would be given an inspection before returning to service.

State-initiated amendments address other issues, including crane updates or clarifying language on employee safety and health protections, said the state.

State-initiated changes include powerline rule updates and tower crane assembly, disassembly or reconfiguration.

State changes also address equipment with capacities of 2,000 lbs. and under, crane certifier certification, and crane certification annual inspections.

Further, it covers qualifications for lift director and both qualifications and duties of the assembly/disassembly director.

Critical lift plans requirements under WAC 296-155-53400 (80) include requirements to identify load information such as weight, center of gravity and dimensions.

It also defines the components that could shift during load handling activity (and develops a method for securing), load attachment points and load orientation requirements.

For crane/equipment, the rule establishes a process for set up, erect, install and dismantle of the equipment and that all tests and inspections performed.

For rigging, it establishes a rigging plan, ensures the rigging has capacity, considers dynamic effects and adverse environmental conditions.

It takes into consideration D/d ratio, ensures rigging meets requirements and has all necessary inspections and tests.

Site parameters, support services, travel paths, environmental, site and load control, personnel location and other factors are addressed in the lift plan.

NCCCO noted that crane certifiers now have a pathway to achieve accreditation in Washington State. That process includes obtaining a nationally recognized crane inspector certification and passing of a written state certifier examination.

The duties of the rigger and site supervisor; multi-tier rigging requirements; and situations when a forklift is used as a crane, also are addressed.

“The scope expands the definition of cranes to include poweroperated equipment used for construction work that can hold, lift, lower and horizontally move a suspended load with or without attachments,” said NCCCO.

Powered industrial trucks — all forklifts including straight mast forklifts — are covered when used to lift, lower or horizontally move a suspended load.

Tower crane assembly/disassembly work zones now are the total area the crane/equipment, components or attachments could reach if there was a collapse during assembly, disassembly or reconfiguration of the tower crane.

Access must be controlled in a manner to restrict unauthorized access to the work zone, according to NCCCO.

“Critical lifts are defined as a lift that exceeds 75 percent of the rated load chart capacity or a lift that requires the use of more than one crane,” said the commission.

It also requires completing a minimum of 40 hours of crane-related training and submitting an application to the state.

And it addresses situations when a crane is damaged, modified or repairs of a load sustaining/bearing part are made that affects the safe operation of the crane.

A state accredited certifier determines if the damage, modifications or repair work is extensive enough to decertify the crane.

Also, the crane owner must notify the state within 24 hours if the crane has contacted an energized power line.

The state also must be contacted if the crane has experienced an overload, damage, repairs, modifications or any deficiency that affects its safe operation.

Qualifications for operators, lift directors, signal persons, assembly/disassembly directors, repair, inspection, maintenance personnel and riggers have all been updated.

“When any part of a crane is within the working radius of another, including cranes on different job sites, a coordination plan must be developed and implemented.”

And if a load has the potential to swing over an area that the public can enter, the site supervisor must address controlling and limiting public access.

Equipment other than tower cranes inside of or on multilevel building sites, methods must be prevented from inadvertently moving while handling a load.

For power line safety, a planning meeting needs to be conducted for the assembly, disassembly, reconfiguration or operation of the equipment.

That includes the A/D director (when applicable), the operator, crew and other workers who will be in the area.

The utility owner is invited to attend, and the meeting must be documented and include the names and signatures of all attendees as well as the planning information.

Florida, NYC Making Construction Sites Safer

After hurricanes hit Florida hard in 2024, lawmakers set about making construction zones safer for everyone.

Washington State, Florida and New York City have updated their crane rules to address issues related to crane operations, hurricanes and operator certification.

The result is a big hurricane-related bill that targets construction crane safety following a rig collapse in St. Petersburg.

“Before the bill was passed, current law was pretty silent on how cranes needed to be treated in a construction site,” said State Sen. Fiona McFarland.

According to a report from wfla.com, the state had building codes and safety standards but no specific rules on the books about cranes during a hurricane.

Now construction sites will have to secure hoisting equipment 24 hours before a hurricane is expected to hit.

“All work sites will have to have a plan in place available for inspection,” said McFarland. “And that plan details what equipment they have on the scene, what needs to be secured, maybe a timeline if they need to remove any equipment.”

According to wfla.com, lawmakers got input from the construction industry, building industry, local towns and cities and formulated rules all parties can agree on.

In New York City, now a hoisting machine operator’s license is required to operate an articulating boom crane, a mini-crane or rotating telehandler.

The rule was announced last fall and the state launched classes of limited HMO licenses for operators to comply.

“The new licensing requirements will apply to the use of [machines] to deliver materials to … or move materials around a construction site,” the city said.

“This includes the lifting of material with a fork, cradle, jib or similar device,” NYC Buildings said.

However, a license is not required in certain situations, such as when work occurs in an industrial or commercial plant or yard or on a ship or barge.

Excavation equipment, high-reach demolition equipment, tree trimming equipment and aerial work platforms are exempt, as well.

According to the agency, this includes rotating telehandlers configured as an excavator, demolition grappler, tree trimmer or aerial work platform.

Articulating boom cranes, mini-cranes or rotating telehandlers that have a manufacturer’s rated capacity of 1 ton or less also are exempt. But the exemption will only apply when the device and operation are in compliance with all the parameters of the exemption.

To qualify, applicants must have operated an articulating boom crane, mini-crane or rotating telehandler for at least 1,500 hours in New York City

Operation must have taken place between Jan. 1, 2019, and Nov. 6, 2024, excluding work in industrial or commercial plants or yards.

The agency said applicants will have to attest to their experience in a new limited license experience affidavit.  CQ

(All photos from Adobe Stock.)

New York City now requires operators of articulating boom cranes, mini-cranes or rotating telehandlers to be licensed.

MEI Industrial Solutions Taps

Link-Belt for Data Center Construction

MEI Industrial Solutions of Coppell, Texas, operates the first Link-Belt Cranes 300-ton 300|AT all terrain crane to work in the field, delivered from Link-Belt distributor Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic.

MEI has been busy unloading various components needed for data center construction since adding the 300|AT to its growing taxi crane fleet in June 2025.

Decked with full counterweight at 162,000 lbs., the crane lifted chillers weighing 30,000 lbs. fully rigged at a 60-ft. radius at MEI’s Chantilly, Va., staging yard near Dulles International Airport. The chiller loads deliver from Laredo, Texas, for the growing data center market in northern Virginia, an area accounting for 13 percent of worldwide operational capacity.

“We lift chillers, generators, you name it,” said MEI crane operator Joshua Luis of the company’s current operations.

Luis said the 300|AT’s highway travel is impressive, likening it to driving a Cadillac down the road. Along with this, Luis cited the crane’s remote-controlled outriggers, ease of assembly and Pulse 2.0 system as major highlights.

“Pulse 2.0 makes operating the 300|AT easy,” Luis said. “If I have any trouble, I can call Link-Belt Mid-Atlantic and they can assist and keep me working.”

As a single-engine machine, the crane also is simple to maintain. Similarly, Luis said its fine metering capabilities aid it in traversing compact areas and setting equipment in tight spots, where its boom speed and swing controls are especially helpful.

“With the 300|AT, I can pick generators with a six-part line that other cranes would need eight parts of line for,” Luis said. “That makes work a lot smoother and a lot faster.”

He said the 300|AT excels in the yard despite its frequent need

to travel across it and maneuver in tight quarters, noting the crane’s turning radius, suspension and steering functionalities as particularly efficient. Its cab windows and standard camera package offer advanced visibility to optimize work site travel, as well.

“In terms of the crane moving around on the job site, this is definitely the best crane that I’ve worked in,” Luis, who has 25 years of crane operating experience, said. “It’s working great for me.”

In its brief time working for MEI, Luis said the 300|AT has already proven its value and earned his recommendation.

“If anyone’s looking into getting a 300 ton, this is definitely one to get,” Luis said. “It’s a really good crane.”

For more information, visit linkbelt.com. 

Link-Belt Cranes photo

The crane lifted chillers weighing 30,000 lbs. fully rigged at a 60-ft. radius at MEI’s Chantilly, Va., staging yard near Dulles International Airport.

ANHANDLE ICKING

P P P P ANHANDLE ICKING

ALL Crane Provides Four Cranes for Hospital Project

There’s been a healthcare construction boom in Florida’s panhandle that continues with construction of a new 100-bed hospital in Panama City.

ALL Crane Rental of Alabama, a member of the ALL Family of Companies, is providing heavy lift equipment to general contractor Robins & Morton. Four lattice boom crawler cranes, with capacities ranging from 110 tons all the way up to 660 tons, will be performing a variety of functions throughout the building process.

Three of the machines are already on-site. They include a 660-ton Manitowoc 18000, a 220-ton Manitowoc 14000 and a 110-ton Link-Belt LS218HSL. The Manitowoc 18000 and Link-Belt LS218HSL are working as a team to set concrete tilt wall panels, some of which tip the scales at nearly 250,000 lbs.

The panels are poured in casting beds all around the job site as the two cranes work to lift them from the ground, tilt and set them.

“These are the largest tilt walls I’ve ever seen,” said Scott Swearengin, sales representative of ALL Crane Rental of Alabama. “They stand four stories high, or approximately 82 feet, and vary in width from 17 to 20 feet.”

The larger Manitowoc 18000 is configured with 220 ft. of main boom while the Link Belt LS218HSL has 160 ft. of main boom and 45 ft. of fixed jib offset at 25 degrees.

“The LS218HSL follows the 18000 and helps set the tilt-panel braces into position,” said Swearengin. “This is how the first four floors of the building will be constructed.” The smaller crane will also be performing picks that can be achieved at a shorter radius.

The Manitowoc 14000, meanwhile, is assisting with concrete pours and helping to construct elevator shafts, lifting personnel in man baskets, and performing miscellaneous other lifts. It is configured with 154 ft. of main boom, 150-ft. of luffing jib and outfitted with block and ball.

In early fall, a second Manitowoc 14000 will be delivered to set panels for the fifth floor and walls.

“The long reach on the 14000 meets the customer plan to consistently pick a certain weight at a certain radius while achieving appropriate load chart levels, while still being able to perform several picks of 13,000 pounds at a 150-foot radius,” said Swearengin.

“It’s a similar story with the 18000, which can perform the required lifts — topping out at nearly 250,000 pounds at a 90-foot radius — while remaining well within the load chart.”

The 110-ton crane was selected for chart capacities and distance of reach, as its primary purpose is to follow the 18000 and assist with setting the braces for the tilt panels.

ALL is sourcing the mix of cranes from its yards throughout the southeast including Atlanta, Tampa and Mobile, Ala.

Swearengin credits ALL’s trucking and logistics department with making sure all equipment was delivered to the site on time. “The 18000 and LS218HSL both had to arrive during the same week,” said Swearengin. “That’s 31 truckloads for the 18000 and another six truckloads for the 218. Plus, we needed a 350-ton Grove GMK 6300L1 as assist crane to help build the 18000.” ALL will have equipment on the site through next year. The new hospital is scheduled to open in 2027.

For more information, visit www.allcrane.com. 

ALL Crane Rental of Alabama is providing heavy lift equipment to general contractor Robins & Morton.

ALL Crane Rental of Alabama photo

STEPHENSON EQUIPMENT, INC.

www.stephensonequipment.com

Philadelphia, PA 800-220-4033 Harrisburg, PA 800-325-6455

Wilkes-Barre, PA 866-667-6756 Pittsburgh, PA 800-692-7600 Syracuse, NY 800-368-6455

Albany, NY 518-357-2200

Opening Fall 2025 Lancaster, PA 800-325-6455

KIRBY-SMITH MACHINERY INC.

www.kirby-smith.com

Oklahoma City, OK 405-495-7820 Tulsa, OK 918-438-1700

McAlester, OK 918-310-1550

Kansas City, KS 913-850-6300

St. Louis, MO 314-729-0125

RING POWER CRANE www.ringpowercrane.com

St. Augustine, FL 904-494-1219

Pompano Beach, FL 954-977-5010 Orlando, FL 407-855-6195 Tampa, FL 813-671-3700

HAYDEN-MURPHY EQUIPMENT COMPANY

www.hayden-murphy.com

9301 E. Bloomington Freeway Minneapolis, MN 55420 952-884-2301 800-352-2757

MGX

EQUIPMENT SERVICES, LLC

844-DIAL-MGX mgxequipment.com

1525 SE Cortina Drive Ankeny, IA 50021 515-965-1000

2111 Grays Road Dundalk, MD 21222 443-399-7100

35170 Mark McCowan Drive Geismar, LA 70734 225-251-7500

1123 Cerise Road Billings, MT 59101 406-698-6768

3510 Roy Orr Blvd. Grand Prairie, TX 75050 972-986-0910

18000 22nd Ave, Ste 100, Aurora, CO 80011 720-864-9842

1700 S Sam Houston Pkwy W, Houston, TX 77047 713-433-6411

470 Dick Buchanan Street La Verge, TN 37086 615-562-3979

3601 Koppens Way Chesapeake, VA 23323 757-935-4300

11475 S 153rd Street Omaha, NE 68138 402-894-9300

3637 E Miami Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85040 602-232-0660

5052 W 2400 S, Bldg. B Salt Lake City, UT 84120 801-297-8500

3760 N Liberty Street Winston-Salem, NC 27105 336-582-7400

3280 Charleston Hwy Aiken, SC 29801 803-864-2840

WESTERN PACIFIC CRANE & EQUIPMENT www.wpcrane.com

8600 Calabash Ave. Fontana, CA 92335 562-286-6618

1500 Madruga Road Lathrop, CA 95330 855-927-2637

275 W. Larch Road Tracy, CA 95304 209-597-3824

3521 Alken Street Bakersfield, CA 93308 855-927-2637

19602 60th Avenue NE Arlington, WA 98223 253-254-7950

91-210 Kalaeloa Blvd. Kapolei, HI 96707 808-682-7263

10680 NW 289th Place, Bldg A North Plains, OR 97133 971-202-4002

6720 Arctic Blvd. Anchorage, AK 99518 855-342-7263

SHAWMUT EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC. www.shawmutequipment.com

20 Tolland Turnpike Manchester, CT 06042 800-829-4161

136 Eastman St. South Easton, MA 02375 877-526-9213

SHAWMUT EQUIPMENT OF CANADA, INC.

318 Park Rd. Elmsdale, NS B2S 0G2 902-883-7450

Su p e pow ri or wer o

& SHOVEL

www.craneandshovel.net 26781 Cannon Road Cleveland, OH 44146 440-439-4749 800-362-8494 sales@craneandshovel.net HOFFMAN EQUIPMENT CO. www.hoffmanequip.com

New Jersey Corporate Headquarters 300 S. Randolphville Rd. Piscataway, NJ 08854 732-752-3600

South Jersey 1330 Hurffville Rd. Deptford, NJ 08096 856-227-6400

New York 1144 Zerega Ave. Bronx, NY 10462 718-822-1180

Mid-Hudson Valley 1440 Route 9W Marlboro, NY 12542 845-236-3000

Long Island 22 Peconic Ave. Medford, NY 11763 631-207-2900

Pennsylvania Philadelphia Metro Area 120 Gordon Dr. Lionville, PA 19341 610-363-9200

Altaequipment.com

18405 115th Avenue Orland Park, IL 60467 877-399-6430

420 Nolen Drive South Elgin, IL 60177 877-399-6430

613 E Stevenson Road Ottawa, IL 61350 815-587-7610 1035 Wylie Drive Bloomington, IL 61705 888-693-2271

480 Blaine Street Gary, IN 46406 219-240-0268

coastlinecd.com

325 N. 5th Street, Bldg. A Sacramento, CA 95811 916-440-8090

Long Beach, CA 714-265-6550 Las Vegas, NV 702-399-2700 Meridian, ID 208-888-3337

smequipment.com

14925 South Main Street Houston, TX 77035 713-721-7070

11618 C.F. Hawn Frwy Dallas, TX 75253 214-391-4000

2290 FM 1516 North, Lot 4 San Antonio, TX 78109 210-629-0400

255 S Navigation Blvd, Bldg. B Corpus Christi, TX 78405 361-289-2782

2011 S Crane Avenue Odessa, TX 79764 210-238-7718

9477 North Ridgeway Tulsa, OK 74131 918-224-2000

Sales Ofﬁce Oklahoma City, OK 405-639-8226

exactcrane.com

Serving Ohio, Michigan, W. Pennsylvania, Kentucky 28985 Ambina Drive Solon, OH 44139 440-349-1999

2728 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-278-5438 5215 Wills Road Mobile, AL 36582 251-679-0090

3090 State Hwy 20 Decatur, AL 35601 256-936-5438

Ste

www.kirby-smith.com

Oklahoma City, OK

800-375-3339

Tulsa, OK

918-438-1700

McAlester, OK 918-310-1550

Kansas City, KS

913-850-6300

St. Louis, MO

314-729-0125

Dallas, TX

214-371-7777

Fort Worth, TX 817-378-0600

Abilene, TX 325-692-6334

Chico, TX 940-678-5046

Hewitt, TX

254-261-1370

Amarillo, TX

806-373-2826

Lubbock, TX

806-745-2112

Odessa, TX

432-333-7000

www.mgxequipment.com

Chesapeake, VA

757-935-4300

Dundalk, MD

443-399-7100

Winston-Salem, NC

336-582-7400

Geismar, LA 225-251-7500

Houston, TX 713-433-6411

Grand Prairie, TX 972-986-0910

Phoenix, AZ

602-232-0660

Salt Lake City, UT 801-297-8500

Billings, MT 406-698-6768

Aurora, CO 720-864-9842

La Vergne, TN 615-562-3979

Ankeny, IA 515-965-1000 Omaha, NE

402-894-9300

Aiken, SC

803-864-2840

Bloomington, MN 952-888-2525

Lee’s Summit, MO 816-451-1745

Driven to success

National Crane sets the global standard for truck-mounted hydraulic cranes that are supported by reliable and exceptional customer support. With crane models that offer exceptional reach, many feature the longest boom roadable chassis. Unique technologies that aid in both operation and comfort. or contact your local dealer.

Visit

www.hoffmanequip.com

Corporate Headquarters Piscataway, NJ 732-752-3600

South Jersey Deptford, NJ 856-227-6400

Long Island Medford, NY 631-207-2900

Mid-Hudson Valley Marlboro, NY 845-236-3000

New York City Bronx, NY 718-822-1180

www.stephensonequipment.com

Corporate Headquarters Harrisburg, PA Harrisburg, PA 800-325-6455

Pittsburgh, PA McDonald, PA 800-692-7600

Philadelphia, PA Prospect, PA 800-220-4033

Wilkes-Barre, PA Pittston, PA 866-667-6756

Opening Fall 2025 Lancaster, PA Epharta, PA 800-325-6455

ALT Sales Corp. Richfield, OH 330-659-2100

Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental Elk Mound, WI 800-943-2277

Kaukauna, WI 800-236-8630

Liebherr Hosts

LAUNCHED AT BAUMA 2025, Liebherr USA hosted the regional championship of mobile crane operators for Liebherr’s Game of Cranes.

This competition allows the best crane operators in the world to compete against one another in a thrilling multi-phase competition showcasing skills such as precision, efficiency and technique.

Operators from around the world submitted short videos showcasing their skills to be considered for the preliminary round. Twenty-five operators were then chosen to compete within five regional preliminary rounds at Liebherr locations around the world including Newport News, Va., Guaratinguetá, Brazil, Adelaide, Australia, Azuqueca de Henares, Spain and Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The winner of each regional round will go on to compete in Ehingen, Germany, to be crowned the ultimate Game of Cranes victor.

lenges that tested their operating skills such as driving through obstacles, maneuvering heavy lifts, as well as theoretical tests to tap into their Liebherr crane knowledge. Family and friends of the contestants were invited to cheer on their operators throughout each round.

North American Competition

Five competitors from the United States and Canada gathered at the Liebherr campus in Newport News, Va., to complete five chal-

During the event, Arnold Burger, general manager of customer service, mobile and crawler canes, Liebherr USA Co. said, “We are thrilled to host the North American preliminary round of Game of Cranes at our Newport News campus. This is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible talents of crane operators from across the region. It’s more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of the dedication that continues to drive our industry forward.”

After a full day of intense competition and demanding tasks, Nick Jackman of Mountain Crane was named the winner of the North American Game of Cranes. Jackman will travel to Ehingen, Germany, in November 2025 to participate in the global round against four other regional winners to be crowned the best mobile crane operator in the world.

For more information, visit liebherr.com/en-us/ group/start-page-3782471. 

Liebherr hosted the North American preliminary round of Game of Cranes in Newport News, Va.

Liebherr photo

Five contestants competed at the North American Game of Cranes preliminary round. (L-R) are Nick Jackman, Patrick Webb, Roy Justice, Jason Hymes and Tony Villella.

OWERING ABOVE

Potain Cranes Key to Italian Skyscraper

Four Potain tower cranes from two of Manitowoc’s long-time Italian partners are working on Milan’s prestigious Torre Faro (Lighthouse Tower), scheduled for completion later this year. Leading contractors CMB Cooperativa Muratori e Braccianti di Carpi and Colombo Costruzioni have teamed up, each deploying two cranes and providing in-depth knowledge of BIM technology for the 472 ft. skyscraper for A2A, one of Italy’s biggest energy and environmental groups. To meet the ambitious construction schedule, the cranes are working in close proximity, with Manitowoc Lift Solutions providing detailed consultancy on the positioning.

CMB acquired two new cranes for the project — an MDT 349 L16 and an MDT 219 J10, both of which have access to the Potain Connect telematics platform. Colombo provided an MD 208A and MDT 349 L16 from its fleet. Both the MDT 349 cranes are working with 147.6-ft. of jib and will eventually reach heights under hook of 520.3 ft. and 553.8 ft.

The other two models will remain freestanding, with the MD 208 A reaching a height under hook of 201.4 ft. and working with a 114.8-ft jib, and the MDT 219 reaching 130.6 ft. height under hook and working with a 164-ft. jib. The four cranes are lifting materials weighing up to 4.4 tons.

“After detailed analysis, the cranes were set up very close to each other to achieve maximum efficiency. We are using Potain’s Top Tracing 3 anti-collision system to ensure everything runs

Project

smoothly,” said Matteo Pastore, head of lift solutions of Manitowoc in Italy. “Top Tracing 3 enables remote supervision via a laptop of up to 16 cranes and 30 work areas simultaneously, so we can avoid the risk of interference. Using three topless cranes on this job also made it easier to have them working closely together.”

A2A’s new headquarters reflects its vision for a greener Milan, focusing on benefits to the local community through lower environmental impact.

The new building is expected to achieve a 30-35 percent reduction in energy and water consumption through geothermal heating and cooling technology, solar panels and rainwater collection systems. A Sky Garden on the 12th floor features hanging gardens and a panoramic viewing platform open to the public will offer breathtaking views of Milan.

“We chose these cranes because they offer excellent capacity and working height, along with ease of movement, and faster, more assured movements,” said Gianluca Arconi, Colombo Costruzioni’s technical director. “Add in the intuitive crane control system and you have an ideal package for complex projects in urban environments.”

CMB and Colombo Costruzioni have more than 120 years of combined experience in the construction sector, and the two contractors have delivered many of Milan’s most impressive towers, including their recent collaboration on the striking Citywave project.

For more information, visit manitowoc.com/potain. 

Four Potain tower cranes from two of Manitowoc’s long-time Italian partners working on Milan’s prestigious Torre Faro.

Manitowoc photo

LIEBHERR CRANES HELP GERMAN BRIDGEWORK MOVE QUICKLY

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW RAHMEDE VALLEY BRIDGE, one of the most important viaducts in North Rhine-Westphalia, has been progressing rapidly since work began in October 2023.

Two Liebherr 340 EC-B 16 flat-top cranes supplied by full-service crane provider BKL Baukran Logistik GmbH are playing a crucial role in the process.

Precision Lifting Technology for Complex Construction Phases

The two flat-top cranes, each with a 246-ft. jib and hook heights of 200 and 213 ft. respectively, are enabling seamless concrete pouring and assembly work along the 1,486 ft.-long bridge construction site. From the very start of foundation and substructure work, the cranes have demonstrated their capabilities. They have accompanied every stage of the project, from construction of the bridge’s eight main piers to the concreting of the deck slabs. Their stable design and efficient transport and assembly processes make the EC-B series flat-top cranes an ideal choice for demanding infrastructure projects such as the Rahmede Valley Bridge.

delivery and installation, BKL also has provided technical planning and on-site support throughout the project.

The Rahmede Valley Bridge is part of one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the region and a key component of the A45 motorway, also known as the Sauerland Line. The new structure is set to replace the outdated and structurally unsound existing bridge and will ensure long-term traffic flow on one of Germany’s most important north–south transport corridors. Since the official start of construction in October 2023, the replacement project has been progressing according to schedule.

From the construction of abutments and piers to the pre-assembly of steel components and concrete pouring of the deck, the Liebherr cranes have proven indispensable. Even under challenging logistical conditions, including tightly scheduled deliveries and limited space on sitem, the EC-B series cranes excel.

Reliable Crane Solutions Supporting Transport Transition On A45

BKL Baukran Logistik GmbH has supplied the two Liebherr cranes from its fleet of more than 700 rental cranes. In addition to

With just four transport units required, they can be mobilized efficiently, while features such as “Load Plus” enable an ondemand increase in lifting capacity by up to 20 percent. Due to their robust design, ease of operation and precise control systems, Liebherr’s flat-top cranes are ensuring project success until their scheduled dismantling in autumn 2025.

For more information, visit www.liebherr.com/en-de/. 

Liebherr photo

The Liebherr 340 EC-B 16 cranes from BKL at the Rahmede Valley Bridge construction.

Liebherr photo

The Rahmede Valley Bridge spans a total length of 1,486 ft.

UK Provider Touts New Grove Crane Lights, Camera Lee Lifting

A high

proportion of Lee Lifting’s

turnover comes from the film and TV industry.

The company has worked on many blockbuster movies and TV shows in more than 40 years of business and also has recently moved to a new, larger location in Camberley Surrey, United Kingdom.

The company received the new Grove GMK5250XL-1 in March 2025, and promptly put the crane to work in the UK’s increasingly busy film industry. It needed to be well spec’d for holding lights, rigging equipment and other production tasks, all while managing lifts on dynamic sets with ever decreasing amounts of space.

“Originally, we were going for a smaller capacity crane, but we switched to the Grove GMK5250XL-1 after evaluating upcoming projects and realizing we needed more flexibility and specs that met our evolving needs,” said Jody Whitmore of Lee Lifting. “It’s the highest capacity crane on five axles, which offers more lifting power without jumping up to a six-axle crane that would be harder to manage and fit on job sites.”

uptime remain at the highest levels through its comprehensive, local customer support.

“With the 150 t (165 ton) Grove we got a really long boom, with the 60 t (66 ton) Grove we got a hydraulic luffing jib and now with the 250-tonner (275 ton) we’ve got the strongest crane on five axles. Each Grove gives us something unique — that’s why we keep choosing them,” said Whitmore.

In combination with its Grove GMK5150L and GMK3060L, Lee Lifting offers the versatility to support a wide range of production applications, including aerial lighting, aerial stunts (such as controlled falling and flying), prop movements in shots, live action, set building and more.

The 275 ton GMK5250XL-1 has a main boom of 257.5 ft., and optional configurations include an 36.7 ft./58.4 ft. swing-away jib that can be luffed hydraulically allowing for a high level of flexibility. Lee Lifting also specified its crane with a dual winch, which is vital for many of the lifts that film sets demand, eg., using one winch to hold the lighting while the other holds the cable loom.

The new GMK5250XL-1 joins a GMK5150L and GMK3060L in the Lee Lifting fleet. The company has steadily added new Grove models to its fleet, selecting each for its class-leading capabilities and unique features, while Manitowoc ensures performance and

“We tend to spec our machines with additional features that give us the most flexibility,” Whitmore said. “For example, we always add a separate pedal to telescope the boom — it gives us another layer of control. A film set is a dynamic environment that requires constant repositioning, which is why we always opt for a hydraulic luffing jib on our Grove cranes. That extra functionality makes a big difference. We also like the MAXbase capability, which enables us to set up with asymmetrical outrigger positioning and still optimize lifting capacity.”

Lee Lifting’s relationship with Grove goes back more than eight years. In 2017, the company purchased a Grove GMK5150L, which at the time was the five-axle crane with the longest boom in this segment.

Lee Lifting later provided feedback to Grove product management, much of which was incorporated into an updated version of the model.

“It’s great to see input being taken on board — we ultimately replaced our original order with the updated version in 2020,” Whitmore said.

For more information, visit manitowoc.com/grove/all-terraincranes/gmk5250xl-1. 

The eGR-1000XLL-1 offers up to seven hours of lifting or up to five hours of lifting plus 5.5 mi. of jobsite travel with its on-board battery pack.

Manitowoc photo