Wed October 11, 2023
Manitowoc
Maxim Crane Works has launched a multi-year project to remanufacture 14 of its Manitowoc 2250 crawler cranes. The company is working with Manitowoc and its EnCore business to overhaul the cranes, which will then be redeployed to its rental fleet across the country.
The ambitious plan is one of the largest projects of this kind to date and it reflects the economic drivers fueling rental crane market demand. The work is initially being carried out at MGX Equipment Services facilities in Belle Chasse and Birmingham, Ala.
"The rental market for crawler cranes is being driven by the 300 ton capacity class. We're seeing work building data centers, warehouses for major e-commerce sites and petrochemical plants, along with taking on large projects in infrastructure, renewable energies, and more," said Larry Lis, vice president of fleet at Maxim Crane Works.
"The Manitowoc 2250 is the only true 300 ton crawler crane on the market with the ideal cost-benefit tradeoff for rental work," he continued. "We have 50 Manitowoc 2250s working in our fleet around the country. They are widely accepted by the market and proven cranes. We can have them remanufactured by Manitowoc and have great working cranes for another 12 to 15 years at a fraction of the cost of purchasing newer cranes that may not be ideal for our current demands."
Lis said that Maxim Crane Works also will enjoy additional benefits from the remanufacturing project — those that might not have driven the decision initially, but the company will still perceive as added value. This is due to the company's accumulated knowledge from using 2250s in its fleet for more than a decade.
"With 50 of these cranes already in our fleet, our operators know how to use them. Our mechanics know how to work on them. We already have a strong spare parts inventory for cranes in this class. Our logistics team knows how to transport them. We understand the differences in how to move and operate them in various regions. It's a definite plus," he explained.
"They will also have a strong resale value if we decide to change up the fleet. The remanufacturing certificate from Manitowoc will hold a lot of value."
The EnCore remanufacturing project will continue through 2026, with three to four Manitowoc 2250s being remanufactured at a time. Lis said the plan could be expanded and more cranes cycled through, should the need arise.
"These cranes will be used for both bare and operated rentals, and be strategically positioned at locations across the U.S. We are looking forward to being able to operate Manitowoc 2250s in our fleet for a long time to come," Lis said.
For more information, visit www.manitowoc.com.