10.12.2012

Custom shop for National

National Crane has introduced a new customisation and modification service for its customers and dealers.

The all-new National Crane Modification Center is staffed by a team of application engineers all of whom who can be a single point contact for a customer, able to handle their entire job or enquiry from start to finish.

Each team member is knowledgeable on trucks, cranes, supplies, legal issues and unique modifications, and has access to the group’s data base of previous modifications and solutions.

For example, a customer looking for a certain truck combined with a specific crane capacity can call the Modification Center, and speak directly with an expert who can present them with a range of options, including a selection of suitable truck and engine variations, while confirming who stocks the machines and any required parts. They will also be able to quickly quote modification pricing and assess the legal requirements for the state in which the crane will work.
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The new National Crane Modification Center

If a requested modification has been done before an immediate course of action can be recommended. If it’s a new type of modification, the expert can mock up engineering solutions, such as where to position the truck’s axles or adjust the crane’s cross members. The customer can then move ahead, buying the necessary machine and proceeding with the modification, knowing full well that it is the best solution possible according to the manufacturer.

The centre is based at a state-of-the-art facility with truck modification, inspection and hydraulic installation bays, an overhead crane, a jib crane, a jib welder, Huck hydraulic fastener tools and a Flowtron air cleaning system.

Standard work at the centre will include wheelbase changes, lift axle installation, racks and cribbing, hook block stowage, custom trailer hitches, trailer brake controls, custom vehicle programming and specialty beds.
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The National Crane Modification Center team

Brian Peretin, vice president of National Crane said: “The Modification Center really takes the guesswork out of modifying boom trucks. We can get involved so much earlier in the process, which helps us provide expertise and options for customers. They can bring us a goal or a challenge, and our engineers can come up with solutions long before the machines are purchased or the wrenches start to turn.”

“A decade ago, this type of centre wasn’t really needed. But trucks are becoming more complex, cranes are getting bigger, emissions laws are evolving and each state has its own legal requirements. The Modification Center will save customers time and money."

Matthew Knoll, truck modification manager added: “The folks with the torches and wrenches always had the skill set to perform these types of modifications. The real difference with the Modification Center is our expertise — now customers can liaise with engineering, sales, marketing, purchasing, design and modification professionals through a single contact at National Crane.”