Bauman Crane winning more jobs with National Crane NBT60

National Crane’s NBT60 boom truck is making a competitive debut in North America, helping companies grow their capacity to take on projects with heavier lift requirements while still maintaining the roadability that makes boom trucks so versatile and efficient.

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One such company is Chalfont, Pennsylvania’s Bauman Crane. The company purchased a 60 USt capacity NBT60 shortly after the boom truck debuted in 2014, making it one of the first companies to put the new crane to the test. With numerous jobs completed with its NBT60, Bauman reports that the boom truck’s best-in-class capacity is winning the company projects it couldn’t have competed for or won previously.

David Kemmerer, owner of Bauman Crane, said that the NBT60 has allowed the company to enhance its level of customer service, while also securing projects with heavier lift requirements.

“This is the largest boom truck that we could put in our fleet that would enable us to continue the same kind of service that our customers are accustomed to getting,” he explained. “The nice thing with the NBT60 is that we’ll be able to be on site when people want us rather than having to wait on travel restrictions. It has also helped us win jobs that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise, as it’s more economical to use a boom truck that doesn’t require travel permits.”

The NBT60 boasts a 60 USt capacity with a 128 ft, five-section, full-power boom. An optional 26 ft to 45 ft extension that offsets to 30 degrees provides even more versatility. Its outrigger system allows for quick and easy setup, and it features a new outrigger beam position-sensing system that aids the operator.

“Most of our fleet has 127 ft of boom length, which is really the magic number for us,” Kemmerer said. “To be able to go up to the 60 USt class without sacrificing boom length has been essential for us. The cost savings from not needing travel permits to move the crane are also a big asset.”

The most expansive project for Bauman and its NBT60 has been the construction of a new facility for Immanuel Leidy’s Church in Souderton, Pennsylvania. The boom truck was used in a single stage jib configuration to set 75 ft long trusses that weighed up to .85 USt each, at radii up to 110 ft. Besides setting roof trusses, the crane is also being used for a variety of jobs that include lifting air conditioning units and hot tubs, tree removal and steel erection.

“The crane has given us the reach we need to set the long trusses that are on that building, and the capacity has been right where we’ve needed it to be,” Kemmerer said.

Bauman Crane owns a fleet of 15 National Crane boom trucks. Founder Frank Bauman has been using National Cranes for more than 20 years. The company has made several of its National Crane purchases from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Stephenson Equipment, who also provides Bauman parts and service support, including occasional job site assistance.

“Stephenson is always available for service when we get stumped. We can turn to them and get responsive advice when we’re trying to troubleshoot our equipment,” Kemmerer said.

Stephenson Equipment has been providing sales and rentals of construction equipment, paving equipment and cranes since 1957. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the company serves customers from six locations across Pennsylvania and New York. Stephenson Equipment is an official dealer of Manitowoc, Grove, National Crane boom trucks and Potain tower cranes.

Bauman Crane, currently celebrating its 50^th anniversary, opened in 1965 in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. Bauman provides crane rentals to Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland, with a fleet ranging from 33 USt to 60 USt capacities. Bauman Crane prides itself on having an extensively trained team of operators who are NCCCO certified and licensed for crane operation in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.