Manitowoc Crane Care has introduced a new mobile truck service that will provide on-site assistance to its crane owners, especially when the project is in a remote location. The goal is to provide maintenance and support for the construction and mining industries in the country, where projects are often far off the beaten path.
Manitowoc’s service trucks are equipped with the most advanced technology and tools to provide maximum support to crane owners when they are on the job site. With two technicians on board, the support vehicles are complete mobile workshops.
“We are in a mining region and it is too time-consuming and expensive to transport cranes to a shop,” said Jose Miguel Figueroa, director of customer support Manitowoc Crane Care service. “This is a great benefit, especially to those working in demanding mining conditions, because Manitowoc can arrive on site to help replace a part or solve a technical problem in a relatively quick time.”
The Chilean territory extends from north to south 4,270 km (2,653 mi), but it only averages 177 km (110 mi) east to west. It is 18 times longer than it is narrow, creating long distances between job sites and official Manitowoc support centers.
The Crane Care service trucks will be strategically located in two parts of the Chilean territory: one will be in the northern city of Antofagasta, where most mining activity takes place. The region has 70% of the Manitowoc cranes that work in the country. The second vehicle, stationed in the capital of Santiago, provides support for the central and southern regions.
Mounted on Dodge RAM 3500 pickup trucks, the trucks boast 6.7-liter engines. They are both fitted with a service crane that has a lifting capacity of 1.4 t (1.6 US t), and radio controls that have a maximum range of 4.5 m (15 ft).
A comprehensive lubricating system is included in each truck, with four reels and 227-liter tanks. The vehicles carry antifreeze liquid, motor and hydraulic oils, and have a used oil tank reservoir of 80 liters (21.1 US gal), featuring pneumatic oil pumps and a Lincoln master grease pump. The pickups are also equipped with 200 psi air compressors.
Cristian Galaz, vice president of sales and marketing for Manitowoc in South America, said the service trucks are an important added value for customers in the region.
“The implementation of this mobile service will allow us to be even more prepared when we assist our clients in the field,” he said. “The trucks are equipped with all necessary tools to support our partners as well as the highest technology to support our technicians.”
According to Galaz, Manitowoc Crane Care’s team will increase efficiency for customers in the region. Response times for customer requests should also decrease significantly.
Chile is the first country in Latin America to implement the mobile Crane Care service.