Additional MLC300 with VPC-MAX boosts Wilkerson Crane Rental’s capacity for the largest tasks
- A third Manitowoc MLC300 crawler crane with VPC-MAX® and Wide Boom Plus further equips the crane and equipment rental company to compete for wind farm construction and maintenance jobs.
- The MLC300’s maneuverability has already proven advantageous on wind farm and tilt-wall projects; it will soon head off to work on a major factory construction project.
Kansas City-based Wilkerson Crane Rental (Wilkerson) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the purchase of another Manitowoc MLC300 lattice-boom crawler crane equipped with VPC-MAX®. Although the company has over 40 years of experience in hoisting, lift planning, heavy hauling and equipment servicing, Wilkerson Crane Rental only officially came into existence in 2013. That year, Diana Holt put together a rescue package for the soon-to-be liquidated crane division at which her husband Jeff Holt had spent his entire working life as an operator and assembly director, and her father-in-law Fred Holt acted as general manager.
Company growth has been consistent with Diana at the helm as CEO, and Jeff as Director of Operations and the rest of their dedicated team. Wilkerson’s cranes are as far afield as Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming. Work has further driven the company’s acquisition of large Manitowoc cranes, thanks to a booming local economy, a new airport, data centers and a battery plant, coupled with the rise of wind farms and infrastructure projects.
“Four years ago, we bought our first MLC300 with a wide boom and extended upper boom point. This purchase was exclusively for wind farm work and apart from coming back for one three-month job, it’s been conducting maintenance on one wind turbine after another,” said Jeff Holt, Wilkerson’s Director of Operations.
“Two years ago, we purchased our second MLC300 with a wide boom and extended upper boom point. This machine started out with wind work as well. Since then, it has done tilt-wall work, as well as infrastructure jobs — where it’s really well suited. We can efficiently mobilize it and it’s perfect for a variety of jobsites,” Holt said. “It’s currently on a long-term jobsite replacing a bridge over Table Rock Lake in Ridgedale, Missouri.
“Five months ago, we bought our third MLC300. This time we purchased the VPC-MAX® and Wide Boom Plus. These two new attachments can be utilized on any of our three MLC300’s. They make it possible to maintain up to 100-m hub height wind towers. Since the purchase of these attachments, we have used them to perform complete rotor drops on 100-m wind turbines for the past five months. Now, this crane is off to work on a large tire plant in Topeka, Kansas, with main boom and fixed jib,” Holt added.
Wilkerson’s latest 386 USt-capacity crawler, acquired from Kirby Smith, joined a portfolio that includes two other MLC300’s, along with a fleet of Manitowoc crawlers consisting of the MLC90-A, 999, 16000, MLC650 with VPC-MAX®. The MLC650 with VPC-MAX® has already completed picks on two bridge projects, and has since been working exclusively on wind farm tasks. Additional equipment from Manitowoc and Grove includes the Grove GMK6350, an RT765E-2, and four (soon to be six) National Crane boom trucks.
CONTACT
Chris Bratthauar
Sr. Director, Marketing
Manitowoc
T +1 717 593 5348
chris.bratthauar@manitowoc.com
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MLC300 VPC-MAX
Manitowoc’s new Model MLC300 utilizes Variable Position Counterweight®(VPC®) proprietary technology to “actively” engage all counterweight and eliminate the need for “passive” carbody weights. The design results in a dramatically reduced transport configuration and better center of gravity for reduced ground bearing pressures. The Model MLC300 is available in VPC® and VPC-MAX® configurations for additional capacity.
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MLC300
The Manitowoc MLC300 continues to reshape the landscape of the 300t capacity class. Already known for its VPC technology that delivers unprecedented lifting performance the MLC300 incorporates a wide array of boom/jib configurations including 3.5m wide boom kit for exceptional capacities with Extended Upper Boom Point and with VPC-MAX. Further the MLC300 has a fixed position counterweight configuration with multiple drum options to create the versatile lifting solution Manitowoc has been known for.
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999
No other crane in the 250 t (275 USt) capacity range can match the Model 999’s powerful combination of high performance easy mobilization and versatility. Designed for the global market the 999 incorporates dozens of features suggested by customers from around the globe.
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16000
Manitowoc's new Model 16000 features time-honored Manitowoc quality and new innovations such as EPIC controls with CAN-Bus technology and dual LCD color monitors with easy to read graphic displays.
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MLC650 VPC-MAX
The new Manitowoc MLC650 features a Variable Position Counterweight® (VPC®) that allows the crane’s counterweight to be positioned automatically while still offering an unmatched level of versatility and capability. In addition to the VPC® the optional VPC-MAX® attachments increase the capacity boom and jib combination lengths while utilizing all of the standard VPC® components. The Crane Control System is also a newly-added feature that aids the operator in a quick and easy set-up.
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GMK6350
Only Grove offers all-wheel steering six-axle all-terrains. This advantage along with the exclusive MEGATRAK suspension system makes for the ultimate in handling and manueverability. The 350-ton capacity crane comes standard with a 197-foot five-section full power TWIN-LOCK boom.
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RT765E-2
The RT765E-2 provides strong lifting performance, along with quick and intuitive operation thanks to the 33,5 m (110 ft) four-section, full power MEGAFORM™ boom. The full vision cab ensures maximum visibility and operator comfort, while higher permissible line pull and faster line speed than competitive cranes allow for less rigging, higher efficiency and productivity on the jobsite.
