There’s no finer place to sample the best of the USA’s construction industry than the tri-annual ConExpo trade show in Las Vegas, USA. And, when it came to the lifting and specialised transport offerings at this year’s event, visitors were in for a treat.
The Cranes Today team was well-situated for the show – staying at the Hilton overlooking the Festival Grounds (a ConExpo crane hub). From this lofty vantage point the sheer size of some of the larger stands really stood out. Liebherr, Link-Belt Cranes, Sany America, Tadano, Kobelco, and Manitowoc were all unmissable – even from 50 floors up. It was even better down on the ground with new metal and extended portfolios in abundance.
Sales record
Japanese manufacturer Tadano, for example, used ConExpo to showcase its expanded portfolio and subsequent brand harmonisation. Since its acquisition of Manitex in 2024 its product portfolio now also includes (in addition to its existing rough terrains, all terrains, lattice boom crawlers, telecrawlers and truck cranes): pick and carry cranes; knuckle boom cranes; self-propelled aerial work platforms, truck mounted aerial work platforms, and boom trucks.
This expanded portfolio was evidenced by the wide range of equipment on display.
In Tadano’s press conference the company revealed that 2025 had been a record-breaking financial year with consolidated net sales coming in at 2,334 million USD and North American net sales at 867 million USD.
The mood on the stand was buoyant and the company is positive about the future.
Building momentum
On the other side of the Festival Grounds manufacturer Raimondi was also showcasing its expanded portfolio since its purchase of Terex’s rough terrain and tower crane lifting businesses. “The US has always been a strategic target for Raimondi,” said Luigi Maggioni, CEO at Raimondi. “Entering such a mature and competitive market, however, required the right foundation. The Terex US service hub gives us that platform.
“This existing infrastructure allows us to immediately engage with customers through a local presence that understands their needs, expectations and operating environment. It positions Raimondi to expand its footprint in North America with proximity, responsiveness, and expertise.”
Raimondi’s expanded portfolio was symbolised on its ConExpo stand by a Terex TRT 55US rough terrain crane designed specifically for the American market.
With optimised mobility, an improved load chart, and an advanced control system, Raimondi says the 55 ton model enjoyed strong market interest with the first two units sold during the show.
“This first joint exhibition as a unified Group reflects our shared commitment to innovation, market-focused solutions, and global collaboration,” concluded Maggioni. “The energy and enthusiasm we experienced from clients and partners, especially in the Americas, confirm that we are building strong momentum for the future.”
Strong market
Also noting positive momentum at ConExpo was Lexington, Kentucky-based Link-Belt Cranes.
“We had a great response at ConExpo building lots of momentum going into this year,” said Gary Lane, vice president of marketing, sales, and customer support at Link-Belt. “It’s obvious the crane market is strong and thriving, and Link-Belt is well seated with multiple innovative models to meet demand.”
At the show Link-Belt displayed its new 180-USt TCC-1800, the largest available model on the market under 200 USt. The new telecrawler includes improvements such as V-CALC (with infinite track frame positioning, counterweight sensing, and two-load line monitoring).
Also on display was Link-Belt’s new 248|V lattice crawler crane, featuring a new combination top luffer and an auxiliary power unit option. It was shown with 145 feet of luffing boom and an additional 145-foot luffer.
Other Link-Belt cranes on display included its 120|HT truck crane, its 90|RT 2 rough terrain crane, and its 225|AT and 300|AT all terrain cranes.
20-year celebration
Sany America was celebrating 20 years in the USA at ConExpo ‘26 and it had a wide selection of products on display.
These spanned the construction, landscaping, material handling, crane, port and piling segments.
With regards to cranes, Sany America introduced the SCA3300A crawler crane aimed squarely at large infrastructure, industrial and data centre project work.
With 330 USt maximum lifting capacity, a 540-foot maximum tip height and 400 net horsepower, the SCA3300A features one of the longest luffing jib configurations in its class and advanced operator technology.
Standard equipment includes a 360-degree camera system, the largest cab in class with electrochromic glass, an advanced load moment indicator with multi-display interface, full boom walkways for safety and self-assembly capability, powered by a Cummins Stage V/Tier 4 Final engine.
Sany also presented the SCA1100TB telescopic crawler crane which allows operators to pick and carry with the full capacity of the chart. With 110 USt lifting capacity and a 174-foot maximum boom length powered by a 325hp engine Sany says it is ideal for bridge work, road construction, and confined job sites.
Sany also had an SCD150 carry deck crane at ConExpo, shown on the Bigge stand in Bigge livery. This was to mark the announcement of Bigge becoming an official distributor for Sany America.
Sany says the SCD150 carry deck crane brings powerful lifting capability into tight and confined work environments including plant maintenance, refineries and industrial applications along transportation corridors.
With 15 USt maximum lifting capacity, a 54-foot main boom and 121hp from a Cummins Stage V/Tier 4 Final engine, it offers the largest operator cab in its class along with a full 360-degree camera package and remote-control operation capability.
Big and bold
Manitowoc claimed it would go ‘big and bold’ at this year’s ConExpo – a promise it delivered in spades.
Centre stage was the launch of the 800 USt Grove GMK8700 all terrain – which marked a return to the eight-axle sector for Grove.
A Cranes Today video of the GMK8700 can be seen here.
Manitowoc says the GMK8700 meets the growing demand for heavy-lift solutions across infrastructure, industrial projects, and energy applications. It has two boom options: a 177ft (54m) boom and a 263ft (80m) boom. Both booms feature the Megaform design with interchangeable telescopic sections.
Depending on local regulations the GMK8700 can travel with the boom carried over the front or mounted on a dolly behind the crane. The new carrier incorporates Manitowoc’s MegaDrive system. Five axles are driven, and the carrier supports two axle groupings – one optimised for road travel and the other for jobsite mobility.
It also has Megatrak suspension, a removable rear outrigger box, and an adaptive electronic braking system.
The crane’s luffing jib extends up to 351ft (107m) while optional boom extensions enable customers to adjust the total system length.
The GMK8700 comes equipped with the self-rigging MegaWingLift capacity-enhancing system. This can be installed without the need for an auxiliary crane.
The crane offers up to 385,000lb (175t) of counterweight, comprised of slabs interchangeable with those of the GMK6400, GMK6400-1, and GMK6450-1 models. The counterweight incorporates Manitowoc’s patented Variable Position Counterweight technology and utilises Manitowoc’s next-generation CCS 2.0 crane control system, which is making its debut on this crane.
Another new crane from Manitowoc on display was its National Crane brand NTC80 boom truck. Manitowoc says the NTC80 was designed to deliver more lifting power from a commercial, roadable truck chassis without sacrificing mobility or setup efficiency.
It can lift 80 USt and has a 156ft five-section main boom. National Crane says it is designed for frequent moves and repeated setups across utility, construction, and oil and gas applications.
“Customers needed more lifting capability but the cranes still had to stay roadable and operate efficiently,” said Bob Ritter, director of product management at Manitowoc. “The NTC80 balances those priorities.”
To support the performance of multiple jobs in one day with efficient setups, the NTC80 uses a trayless, modular counterweight system that enables slabs to be stacked in any order and hydraulically removed.
Customers can configure the crane using multiple counterweight packages depending on truck chassis specification and job requirements, including a 12,000lb standard package, an 18,000lb heavy roadable package, and a 24,000lb maximum configuration. This versatility enables crews to match lifting capability to the job while maximising transportability.
Hands on the future
On Liebherr’s immaculate stand the company presented a range of construction machinery. With regards to cranes, two large crawlers, an LR1400.1 SX with derrick (bought by Maxim) and an LR 1700-1.0 (bought by Big B Cranes) looked fantastic sitting side-by-side.
In the all terrain category Liebherr presented another crane type with the new LICCON3 control system: the LTM 1090-4.2 became the LTM 1090-4.3. The four-axle 110 US ton (90-tonne) crane is now characterised by a new crane design, a range of driver assistance systems, plus increased lifting capacity on the telescopic boom.
Liebherr also presented a renewed generation of self-erecting K cranes, tailored to meet the demands of North America.
It says the new models, 43 K, 61 K and 91 K, combine compact transport dimensions, powerful lifting capacities and are adaptable on tight urban job sites.
To compliment the self-erector range Liebherr also introduced a suite of intelligent assistance systems designed to increase precision, jobsite safety, and operator comfort. The existing 125 K, the largest self-erecting crane in the lineup, completes the portfolio and Liebherr says it is particularly well-suited for mid- to high-rise residential and commercial construction in the US.
Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of Liebherr’s stand, however, was not necessarily the metal shining in the sun but rather the number of in-person crane handovers that took place (see picture caption on p38 for full list).
This appetite for in-person interaction was a key factor of ConExpo that, although it may not be quantified in terms of hard facts or figures, was certainly palpable.
This was not just at Liebherr but everywhere we went. Fatigue with digital-only interactions lent a real buzz to making real-life face-to-face connections. Plus, of course, Americans are super-friendly (especially in Vegas!) creating the perfect environment to make new contacts and develop business relationships. We can’t wait for ConExpo 2029!
Liebherr conducted multiple crane handovers at ConExpo. These included:
– Orion Group Holdings took an LR 1300.1 SX crawler crane for marine and infrastructure projects
– Texas-based Big B Crane took a Liebherr LR 1700-1.0 crawler crane for a wide variety of applications
– Serving the rocky mountain area, Wagstaff Crane Service took a Liebherr MK 140-5.1 mobile construction crane
– Texas-based Davis Crane Group took delivery of a Liebherr LTM 1090-4.3 mobile crane. Conexpo 2026 was the world premiere of the new LTM 1090-4.3 mobile crane
– Maxim Crane Works took delivery of a Liebherr LR 1400.1 SX crawler crane. It also took delivery of a Liebherr LTM 1055-3.3 mobile crane – the first crane of its kind to be delivered in the United States
– North Dakota-based crane company, Borsheim Crane Service took an LTR 1150 telescopic crawler crane
– Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. took delivery of multiple Liebherr LR 1300.1 SX crawler cranes. Bigge was also celebrating its 110th year. ‘ConExpo 2026 was the most successful show in our 110-year history,’ the company said. ‘Record sales, a new product lineup that exceeded expectations, and record-setting orders with our trusted legacy partners. Thank you to everyone who made it our best show in company history.’
– Northwest Crane Service took delivery of a Liebherr LTM 1300-6.4 mobile crane
– ALL Erection & Crane Rental took delivery of the first LTM 1400-6.1 in the USA
– Bragg Companies took multiple Liebherr all-terrain cranes including the LTM 1650-8.1, LTM 1300-6.4, LTM 1230-5.1, LTM 1160-5.2 and LTM 1100-5.3. The full-service crane, rigging, and heavy haul company, which was founded in Long Beach, California, already had 50 Liebherr cranes in its fleet
– Richard Steel, a crane services provider operating throughout the Ottawa and Gatineau region in Canada, took a new Liebherr LTM 1300‑6.4 mobile crane. Its Liebherr fleet also comprises two LTM 1150-5.3s, an LTM 1100-4.1, an LTM 1110-5.2, and an LTM 1400-7.1.
Link-Belt Cranes’ Kelly Fiechter, product manager for rough terrain cranes at Link-Belt, in front of the new 90|RT 2 rough terrain.
Fiechter is positive about the state of the RT sector in the USA. “It’s very steady,” he says. “We expect demand for our rough terrain products to continue, given their ease of mobility and intuitive operation. Products like the 85|RT and 100|RT remain a top choice among our customer base.
“In particular, we’re hearing about increased need from large-site construction projects – such as data centres, and power transmission. This is in addition to all the traditional types of work you’d rent a rough terrain for – at water treatment plants, in the mining sector, and heavy civil projects.”
For more on the 90|RT 2 rough terrain see the feature in the March issue: https://content.yudu.com/web/442ay/0A444jv/Cranes0326-Pros/index.html
Texas-based Groves Equipment Rental received a Liebherr LR 1400 SX lattice boom crawler crane at ConExpo 2026 further expanding its range of heavy lifting solutions along the Gulf Coast.
“We’re a bare rental company and we’ve had numerous customers request a 440USt crawler crane in order to move up in the capacities they erect on their own projects,” said Steve McReynolds, president at Groves Equipment. “The majority of our customers are involved in the oil and gas petrochemical business. It just so happens that this LR 1400 SX is going to go and work on a new LNG project on the Gulf Coast right on the Louisianna/Texas border.
“There’s a tremendous amount of development in the LNG and data centre sector, plus work in powering the data centres. As a result we’ve had a lot of customers reaching out which we hope will translate into work.
“We’re very positive about the future… we not only have this third 1400 on the way but we have five more LR1300s coming between now and next March.
Indeed, the commonality in assembly, parts, and operation between the LR 1300.1 SX and LR 1400 SX was also given as a reason behind Groves’s purchase of the 1400.
The multipurpose Liebherr LR 1400 SX has a modular counterweight system and a variety of possible boom configurations for use across a variety of industries.
To aid transport between job sites the platform and railings remain attached to the uppercarriage. The LR 1400 SX also offers a self-assembly system, gradient travel aid, ground pressure visualisation, boom-up-and-down assistant as well as easy access to the modern cab.
See the full ConExpo video interview with Steve McReynolds here: https://shorturl.at/35nVk
Oklahoma-based crane rental and heavy transport services provider Northwest Crane Service’s new Liebherr LTM1300-6.4 was in stars and stripes livery to celebrate its 25th anniversary, alongside America’s 250th anniversary.
‘This special anniversary theme is a reminder that both our company and our country were built by hardworking people who take pride in doing the job right,’ the company said. ‘For 25 years Northwest Crane Service has taken pride in supporting the infrastructure and industries that keep America moving forward. We’re proud of what we do, proud of the communities and customers we serve, and looking forward to the next 25 years. God Bless Northwest Crane Service and God Bless America.’
With its 295 ft (90 m) telescopic boom, Liebherr says the six-axle LTM1300-6.4 is designed for high performance at extreme lifting heights and steep boom positions. Suitable applications include tower crane assembly and the installation of antennas, as well as wind turbine maintenance.
Maxim Crane Work’s Liebherr LTM 1055-3.3 mobile crane – the first crane of its kind to be delivered in the USA
Bigge was celebrating its 110th anniversary at ConExpo. It also announced that it is now official distributor for Sany America.
Editor Christian hasn’t been quite the same since ConExpo 2026!
It’s a wrap: editor Christian (centre), sales guru Joe (right), plus business development genius Jake (left) celebrate the end of a successful ConExpo!
