National to Display Short-Configuration NBT45-2 at Work Truck Show

March 7, 2022 - An ultra-nimble, short-chassis version of a National Crane NBT45-2 boom truck will be on display at Work Truck Week 2022 in Indianapolis this week.

The new short-configuration National Crane NBT45-2 can be seen at the Peterbilt booth (Level 1 — Exhibit Hall & Meeting Rooms — Booth 1801) during Work Truck Week, March 8-11 at the Indiana Convention Center.

The boom truck on display highlights the role that Manitowoc’s Truck Mod Center and Lift Solutions department play in developing customized solutions to meet the industry’s evolving needs.

This short-chassis model is one example of the infinite configurations that can be engineered to ensure that a customer’s truck and crane are the perfect match and are field-ready when they leave the factory.

Based on a 2023 Peterbilt 567 chassis, the short-configuration NBT45127-2 can operate in confined spaces thanks to its 250” wheelbase, which is 23” shorter than normal.

“Our customers were telling us they needed a 40-USt to 45-USt capacity crane, but on a more compact chassis than standard,” said Bob Ritter, National Crane product manager. “Our application engineers put a lot of effort into fine-tuning the chassis until they delivered a boom truck with a chassis with the tightest turning radius in its class.”

The shorter chassis was made possible by relocating the hydraulic tank from the frame rail to the deck, freeing up space between the back of the truck cab and the crane torsion box. The vull vehicle is now less than 38’ long.

Another notable advantage of the new chassis configuration is the use of a 13,500-lb. pusher axle, rather than a tag axle, alongside the 46,000-lb. rear tandem. The pusher axle helps navigate inclines and narrow driveways.

“The shorter chassis also makes it easier for the operator to ready the crane for transport by tying off the block without extending the boom,” Ritter said. “They can now stow the boom and hook the block to the front of the truck more efficiently, so they can get to the next job site faster.”

At a job site, the simplified setup lets outriggers be set quickly and the hook block be unstowed using front-bumper-mounted controls. That removes the need to climb in and out of the truck and crane cabs. Optional wireless remote controls make the process more efficient, while the NTC Performance Package adds more versatility during setup.

More Comfort

With a GVW of 79,500 lbs., propelled by a 500-hp Cummins X15 engine and Allison 4500 RDS transmission, the new boom truck also benefits from the optional 6,000-lb. counterweight package. Its 127’, five-section, full-power, telescopic boom and 31’-55’ telescopic jib give a total maximum tip height of 189’.

Operator neck strain can be averted thanks to a cab that tilts hydraulically up to 20°. A heated seat and high-output HVAC system keep the operator comfortable and productive in all weather conditions, and the responsiveness of the single- and dual-axis electronic joystick controls can be easily adjusted to suit operator preference.

As well as simplifying setup and operation, the color, graphical RCL with integrated control system also enables monitoring of all vital truck and crane data, such as hydraulic system pressure and temperature, from within the crane cab. State-of-the-art onboard diagnostics and real-time error code reporting minimize the need to use a laptop for troubleshooting.