In November 2003, an agreement was reached between the two companies whereby Kobelco, who will not disclose the financial aspects of the deal, build cranes to order for Manitowoc.
The largest of the cranes to be delivered was a model 12000 crawler crane with a lifting capacity of 120t (132 USt). The lattice boom crane has a 230ft long main boom reeved with a 10-part line. A Mitsubishi turbo diesel engine supplies 332hp at 2,000rpm. The crane offers up to 310ft of reach with optional luffing attachments. It has a maximum line speed of 535fpm and handles up to 12.5t (14 USt) of material in clamshell mode.
Kobelco is also supplying models 5000, 5500, 8000, 8500 and 10000. These cranes range from lifting capacities of 45t (50 USt) to 91t (100 USt).
It is not apparent at this stage what the cranes will be doing on Amercian soil or even where they will be doing it.
The Japanese company has an overseas branch in the US, which handles Kobelco branded cranes independently from Manitowoc branded machines. Kobelco’s US branch distributes cranes to its dealers or to individual end users. Manitowoc, however, is responsible entirely for the Kobelco cranes supplied on an OEM basis.
