Cranes elevate sign companies to new heights.
By Eric Johnson
Does the prospect of owning a new lift crane thrill you? If so, you're probably a veteran sign installer.
For most of us who work in the sign industry, cranes don't rate as exciting new technology. We may be more attracted to large-format, digital-imaging equipment, new developments in coatings chemistry or the latest in solid-state lighting. But, for the true sign professional, cranes stand tallest.
As any good sign professional will remind you, ground signs don't get much attention. Only a good crane can elevate them to greater heights.
Cranes offer ultimate durability, so you probably haven't evaluated cranes for some years now. Good news: There are significant new developments. Purchasing a crane involves more than solely determining requisite load lift and reach. At least a dozen brands encompass this increasingly competitive market sector. Venerable names include Elliott Equipment Co., Phoenix, |2431| and Wilkie Mfg. LLC. Baker, Grove, JLG, |2427| and National are also very recognizable.
For starters, each manufacturer offers dozens of base models with lift capabilities up to 20 tons and reaches of more than 150 ft. (For an extensive overview of sign-crane models and specifications, see "Cranes Equipment Survey" in the Installation channel of www.signweb.com, and also the overview of aerial installation trucks and cranes, ST, November 2001, page 106).
Customized add-ons from crane manufacturers offer many options. Various choices are available for truck cabs, beds, bucket/platforms, tool boxes and power, plus all the bells and whistles. Additionally, formerly optional improvements, such as full, hydraulic operation, have become virtually standard, as have prospects for remote control.
Today's crane purchasers demand versatility. According to Darrel Wilkerson Jr., vice president of sales for Wilkie Mfg. Inc. (Oklahoma City), most sign companies want equipment capable of several tasks. This is, in part, due to the challenging economic environment. For maximum efficiency, sign companies want cranes that not only lift, but provide aerial service as well. Increasingly, cranes are ordered with platforms and buckets, often for two men. Occasionally, a lift is custom-ordered with an even larger platform or basket.
Yet another factor is at work: the increasing demand for lifestyle conveniences. Alton Herring of Herring Sales (Houston) echoed Wilkerson's observations about versatility. Herring owns a full-service, sign-supply distribution company and counts 40 years' experience in crane specification and sales.
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