Aspen Upfits Mid-Sized Truck with 29’ Crane
Jan. 4, 2023 - One of Aspen Equipment’s most challenging sign truck upfitting projects to date has been delivered to a municipal customer in Kanabec County, Minnesota.
The project fitted a Chevrolet Silverado 6500 HD chassis with a 6,000-lb. capacity Palfinger telescopic-boom crane and an operator catwalk.
It was the kind of conversion Aspen does often, but rarely to this level of specification.
John Orzechowski, who is in municipal sales at Aspen, said that municipalities invariably want large-truck capabilities in a unit that can turn tightly in a garage or that doesn’t need a commercial driver’s license. “What makes this latest upfitting job unique is having such a large crane on a relatively small chassis, along with its hydraulically extendable outriggers and catwalk,” Orzechowski said.
Packing a Punch
The Palfinger PSC 6025 service crane that was mounted onto the Chevy made life a little simpler for the upfitting technicians because it is up to 30% lighter and 20% stronger than competitive models.
It requires fewer setup adjustments, and its 29’ boom length improves access for challenging lifts, especially with the optional personnel basket.
For this customer, however, the hydraulically extendable catwalk is expected to provide sufficient access for workers, extending 12’ from the side of the truck and enabling the operator to work up to 12’ above ground.
Supported by a pair of hydraulic rear outriggers that extend up to 6’, the Chevy provides a solid foundation for performing tasks with efficiently.
Like the truck body, which had to be designed from scratch, the tower that supports the service crane was also engineered by Aspen Equipment at its nearby Bloomington, Minnesota, headquarters.
“This truck project really illustrates one of the best things about my job — the problem-solving that is required when a customer makes such specific demands,” Orzechowski said. “We put our heads together and figure out the best possible combination of equipment and truck design, and how to make it work optimally to help them do the job efficiently and safely.”
In the Know
Used widely across municipalities for installing, maintaining, and replacing roadside signs, Aspen Equipment’s sign trucks are a perfect example of the company’s deep understanding of government agencies’ needs.
Aspen’s experienced team works closely with customers throughout specifying, designing, and production to deliver the most suitable and efficient purpose-built truck for the application.
Aside from fully customizable steel or aluminum bodies, other notable options include post storage and handling provisions, articulating or straight cranes, customizable sign storage, on-board air compressors and welders, post pullers and post pounders, and traffic directional and safety lighting.
