The HIAB 133AT-2 and Multilift MPH085 will be installed on the US Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).

The crane is specially designed to have a folded height below 1.5m to enter and exit Hercules cargo aircraft. It has two hydraulic extensions and an outreach of about 17ft (5.2m). It is controlled by cabled remote control and the HIAB combidrive control system. The rear-mounted crane will be used to raise and lower loads from the bay of the FMTV, and from other vehicles.

Delivery of the equipment will start during the fourth quarter of 2008, with most of the deliveries taking place during 2009. The total order value is around 15 million euros and the majority of the order was booked in the third quarter. The crane specification is not new, and Hiab has delivered cranes for the past few years, but this year’s order is its largest ever.