Feature
Asking the Right Questions
Hydraulic service cranes from Stellar Industries for lifting heavy-duty loads are fitted with proportional controls and are offered with optional remote-control systems.
Choosing the right service crane for your operation is about understanding the features of various crane types. Stellar Industries, a manufacturer of work trucks and trailers including the Stellar TMAX line of mechanic trucks, provides answers to three key questions:
What are the key considerations when selecting a service crane for a mechanic’ s truck?
The crane’ s lifting capacity, reach, duty cycle and maneuverability must align with operational needs. An ideal crane system should offer robust performance while featuring intuitive controls for operators to handle diverse tasks effectively.
What are the differences between electric, electrichydraulic and hydraulic service cranes?
Understanding the similarities and differences among crane types can help you make an appropriate decision: Ŋ Electric cranes operate with an electric winch and pump to manage the crane’ s self-contained hydraulics. They are a cost-effective option for operations that require a smaller crane with a lower duty cycle such as conducting routine maintenance at a fixed speed.
Ŋ Electric-hydraulic cranes, like electric cranes, do not require a power take-off and pump to be installed on the chassis. By using an electric pump to operate a hydraulic winch and other crane functions, they provide greater precision.
Ŋ Hydraulic cranes provide a versatile solution with higher lifting capacities and extended duty cycles, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications that require handling substantial loads. They also feature proportional controls and are available with optional remote-control systems.
How can remote control systems enhance service crane operation?
Remote control technology significantly boosts productivity by enhancing functionality and allowing operators to safely and efficiently control and monitor cranes from a distance. Ergonomic handheld controls for the systems ensure precise movements and LED screens display critical information such as data on load capacity, the weight currently on the crane, the maximum weight it can still lift, current reach, boom angle and any necessary warnings.
Advanced remote-control systems often include special features that enable operators to assess lifting capabilities without needing to reposition the crane. By simply parking the truck and walking to the load, operators can easily calculate the crane’ s lifting capacity, streamlining the lifting process and enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Knapheide AKMT aluminum mechanic’ s truck bodies have a steel isolated crane compartment with a torsion box floor that helps transfer torsional stress from the crane into the floor and outriggers and not the side packs. The bodies feature a 16-inchtall slam lock tailgate with one hand operation for locking and unlocking and a seven-drawer CTECH unit with a 250-pound capacity, a bolt bin storage system mounted in the horizontal compartment and adjustable shelving.
In the AKMT1 mechanic’ s truck, Knapheide combines a steel crane compartment and understructure with aluminum side packs to provide approximately 1,000 pounds of additional payload capacity compared to the standard steel KMT1 model.
Also available on aluminum Knapheide mechanic’ s trucks are a 40 CFM hydraulic compressor with a 50-foot reel for half-inch hose, a work bench bumper with a through compartment, six cargo tie downs, four 3000 LED work lights and the Knapheide CanBus that provides 120-amp maximum continuous power throughput and 25-amp maximum continuous power per output and a master on / off switch.
Knapheide KMS and KMT Series steel mechanic’ s service trucks include the KMS16 and the KMS 30 Class 3 through 5 models. The KMS16 is fitted with a 20-foot reach electric crane with a manually operated rear body outrigger to support up to 3,200 pounds. The KMS30 can be equipped with a 21-foot reach electric or hydraulic crane to lift up to 5,000 pounds with manual or control operated dual rear outriggers.
The steel KMT1 Class 5 mechanic’ s truck includes a 30-foot reach hydraulic crane with two rear support outriggers for lifting up to 8,600 pounds. For Class 6 through 8 applications, the company offers the KMT2 and KMT3 models with a 30-foot reach hydraulic crane. The KMT2’ s crane has two rear outriggers and a 12,000-pound lifting capacity and the KMT3 with dual front and rear body outriggers is equipped with a 14,000-pound capacity crane.
Stellar Industries, a manufacturer of work trucks and trailers, offers their the Stellar TMAX line of mechanic’ s trucks. Offered in steel and aluminum models, the trucks have the company’ s torqisolator crane support design that isolates the crane compartment from the rest of the side pack, transferring lifting stresses to the stabilizers and box-type subframe, not the compartment doors.
Doors on the Stellar mechanic’ s trucks are made of 5000 series aluminum for reduced weight and corrosion resistance and feature a two-panel design with a mechanically and chemically bonded internal hat channel. There are also threepoint compression latches that keep weather-stripping tight and stainless-steel billet-style hinges with hidden fasteners.
Stellar TMAX aluminum bodies feature an extruded aluminum top with two drill-free mounting rails for accessory installation. The company’ s bodies can be spec’ ed with either a step bumper or a workbench bumper with an integrated full width longbar storage compartment and vise mounts, aluminum or steel drawer systems with 500 pounds of capacity per drawer and adjustable shelving made of galvanized steel with 250 pounds of capacity per shelf.
Indispensable Assets
As an addition to any service operation, a mechanic’ s truck fitted with a service crane is highly effective. By enabling on-site repairs and maintenance and eliminating the need to transport heavy equipment to a shop, these mobile workstations are the ultimate game changer for boosting productivity and efficiency.
April 2025 | www. FarmersHotLine. com | 19