An RT75S rough-terrain crane has been revived after nearly five decades of work in Kenya. Thanks to Manitowoc’s local dealer, spare parts and EnCORE specialists, the crane continues to provide a return on the owner’s investment, much to the company’s satisfaction.
A crane’s longevity is perhaps the most compelling testament to its build quality. And Manitowoc products are known to be some of the longest-serving the crane industry has ever seen.
In Africa, a Grove RT75S rough-terrain crane dating back to 1975 continues to deliver productive service for its owners. It recently underwent significant upgrades close to its base in Malindi, Kenya, to ensure it can work long into the future. The crane is owned by a multinational organization that gathers and transmits satellite messages and works at a remote facility close to the equator.
After nearly five decades of tireless service, the crane has received a series of comprehensive updates to increase its functionality. Work included installing a new Load Moment Indicator (LMI) system after the previous one was removed.
To give the crane its new lease on life, the owners sought support through Manitowoc’s local dealer Ports & Harbours Support Services, a logistics and equipment company based in nearby Mombasa.
Glyn Cross, the sales and marketing director of Ports & Harbours, led the team in evaluating the crane before any work started. He and the team discovered that the machine had been manufactured at the Shady Grove factory in Pennsylvania, U.S., back in 1975, yet no manuals, load charts, or even displays were available—an obstacle given the crane’s vintage status.
But the team was undaunted and meticulously assessed the work required to bring the crane back to operational status, despite the significant challenge of having to source spare parts for a machine approaching 50 years of age. After a thorough evaluation, the team proposed a comprehensive restoration plan that included:
Re-sealing of hoist cylinder
Re-sealing of outrigger cylinders and jacks
Complete refurbishment of service and parking brake systems
Replacement of all gauges
Full service of engine and transmission
Installation of completely new LMI system
The Ports & Harbours team sourced the spare parts through Manitowoc and called on the company’s EnCORE refurbishment consultants for insights and guidance. The team then traveled to the Malindi site and spent seven days completing the repairs, successfully restoring the crane to first-class functionality.
“Manitowoc’s parts support and its EnCORE specialists really came through for us for this project,” Cross said. “The customer was thrilled that their nearly 50-year-old Grove crane continues to deliver value.”
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