10.09.2009

Badger unveils its new RT

Badger equipment, now part of Manitex has unveiled its new 30 ton cab down Rough Terrain crane at an event held at its premises in Winona Minnesota yesterday.
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The CD4430 will have a two or three section six sided boom

The new model the CD4430 feature a 16.6 metre two or 23.3 metre three section six-sided boom, Tier III Cummins engine, two door high visibility cab, standard all-wheel drive and steer and cantilever outriggers. An optional jib will be available at a later date.

An optional Hi-Rail gear system can be ordered fully integrated at the plant for easy adaptation in rail applications. The company says that the first units will start shipping later this month. A 20 tonne version - the CD4430 will also be available.
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The 30 ton Badger CD4430

Paul Marxen sales manager for Badger Equipment, said: "The 30-ton
cab-down style rough-terrain crane is targeted to niche markets such as railroads, refineries, bridge contractors and heavy industrial users. A unique feature for railroad equipment managers is the ability to have high rail gear integrated at the factory, which simplifies their buying process and reduces lead time to get the crane into the field.”

“It's a product that we are confident will be met with great enthusiasm by our customers and will find solid demand in the marketplace."
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The back end of the CD4430

"Response been very positive and there is significant demand for this new crane as evidenced by the strong initial order pipeline," adds T.A. Lee, Badger’s general manager. "As customers see more of this crane operating in the field we believe this demand will translate into further orders for 2009 supporting our quarter four targets."

Scott Rolston senior vice president sales and marketing for parent - Manitex International added: "The Company has plans to develop a full product line in the near future designed to support the requirements of our customers in this niche. The Badger brand rough-terrain crane now partners with a product line of rail-mounted truck and crawler cranes currently produced by Badger in Winona
under the Little Giant brand name. We are exploring opportunities with both brands to take advantage of synergies in distribution with our Manitex truck-mounted crane line."

Click here to see Manitex buys Badger

Vertikal Comment

While there are few cab down Rough Terrain cranes made or sold these days, in the USA there are still a lot of very old Gallion, Pettibone and Grove RT58’s in regular use and for some applications the concept is still much appreciated.

Manitex is not planning a full frontal assault on Grove or Terex and has no plans for world domination of the RT crane market. It should have no problem at all selling its planned production runs and doing good business serving the specialised markets that it caters for.

And at the same time it might just pick up a little additional business from buyers that like appreciate what looks like a nice crane and are happy to deal with Badger or Manitex.

Don’t expect to see too many of them in Europe though.