13.08.2012

Boom Raise system for Manitowoc 16000

A new Boom Raise system for the Manitowoc 16000 helps install longer booms with its Wind attachment.

Manitowoc says that this concept is designed to help customers get more out of their investment in the 400 tonne crawler crane. The system is designed to raise the longer boom lengths that are needed to install nacelles on 100 metre wind turbine towers without the aid of an assist crane.

The system which comprises a boom mounted hydraulic cylinder housed in a special three metre boom insert section that attaches to the boom butt section, together with a support frame and lift foot.
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The cylinder help provide extra power to raise an additional 13 metres of boom

It allows users to raise Wind Attachment booms up to 107 metres plus 7.6 metres of extended upper boom point. The crane was previously limited to 92 metres. Maximum capacity with 114.6 metres of boom and extended tip is 87.9 tonnes at 20 metres radius.

The boom raising cylinder works in conjunction with the boom hoist by exerting an upward force on the boom. This is achieved by extending the cylinder downward onto prepared ground/matting. Once the boom angle is 38 degrees, the boom hoist fully takes over.

Boom raising and lowering operations are accomplished with minimal operator action. Before booming up, the cylinder must be manually extended by a switch in the operator’s cab to contact the ground/matting. From this point, the operator simply controls the boom hoist controller while the crane’s operating system automatically controls the Boom Raise System. After reaching a boom angle of 38 degrees, the cylinder must be manually retracted. The same steps are performed in reverse for boom lowering.
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Once the boom reaches 38 degrees the hydraulic cylinder is retracted

When Manitowoc originally introduced the Wind Attachment in 2010, it increased the capacity of the crane by nearly 50 percent at short radii.

Jerry Maloney, global product director at Manitowoc Cranes, said: “Our goal in developing the Boom Raise System was to eliminate the need for investment in either a larger capacity crane or a second support crane to lift heavier booms on the job. The Boom Raise System provides the extra boost needed to raise the boom until the standard boom hoist system fully takes over.”