Associated Industrial Riggers Expands Fleet with New Tadano AC 6.300-1 from Empire Crane Company

Thu March 13, 2025
Empire Crane Company

Associated Industrial Riggers Inc. has made a significant investment in its fleet with the purchase of a brand new 2024 Tadano AC 6.300-1 from Empire Crane Company.

This acquisition reinforces Associated's commitment to providing lifting solutions for the most demanding job sites across the Southeast United States.

Associated specializes in a variety of services including rigging and machinery moving, crane rental, structural and custom fabrication, plant maintenance, turnkey plant relocation, civil and site work and more.

"Tadano has owned the R/T market for the past 20-plus years, with units that are bulletproof in design and dependability," said Jim Burke, president of Associated Industrial Riggers. "This made it an easier decision to stay in the Tadano family line."

The AC 6.300-1 boasts a main boom length of 262 ft. with a compact undercarriage design that enhances maneuverability in tight job sites, along with quick setup and teardown capabilities for increased efficiency. Associated elected for a model equipped with a luffing jib, which allows for an unparalleled strong chart and reach, making it an optimal choice for the evolving demands of modern construction, according to the company.

"Versatility is enormous with this unit," Burke said. "This six-axle crane can go out as a fully dressed 350-ton crane with a luffer, or we can remove counterweights and quickly turn it into a 200-ton as needed. This allows us greater flexibility, reach and range for the marketplace."

The decision to invest in this crane also was driven by growing customer demand.

"We've had a lot of customers asking us to help with bigger and bigger projects," Burke said. "The 300-350-ton market seemed to have the greatest number of requests, which also helped us in the decision for this unit. When we looked to purchase it, it really boiled down to one word: value."

The crane is already proving its worth, working on major projects at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, according to the company.

By virtue of a long working relationship locally in New York State, the two companies were able to strike a deal on the AC 6.300-1 for Associated's Orlando, Fla., branch. "Empire Crane Company has always helped us in the past and served us well," Burke said. "We all know that buying specialized equipment is only as good as the support you receive and the dealership that sold it to you."

Burke noted Empire's service and dedication as a catalyst for their ongoing partnership.

"[Empire Crane is] a family-owned business and the owners treated us just like we were part of the family," Burke said. "Luke and Paul [Lonergan] are involved and available throughout all aspects of the deal — financing, licensing, service and product support. Josh Prentice in the service department made us a priority in shipping, setting up and commissioning this unit with ease. We thank you, Empire Crane Company."

"We're thrilled to make another deal happen with Jim Burke, Jerry Sanders and their crew at Associated Riggers," said Paul Lonergan, owner of Empire Crane Company. "We've been lucky enough to do business with them for a number of years now and it's always a pleasure. Thank you to Associated for not only trusting in the Tadano product, but Empire Crane."

With the addition of the Tadano AC 6.300-1, Associated Industrial Riggers continues to enhance its capabilities, ensuring that it remains a trusted partner for complex lifting projects across the region, according to the company.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.