Over the past decade, Eagle Builders, Blackfalds, Alberta, has gained market share providing precast concrete products to the agriculture, commercial, industrial, and infrastructural industries. The company has adapted to its customers’ demands for larger products, but with these larger products, it needed a crane capable of handling larger and heavier loads. The company recently took delivery of a pair of 50-ton capacity Shuttlelift SB50 gantry cranes, giving them 100 tons of lifting capacity when used in tandem.
“We started out as a 10,000-sq.-ft. production shop back in 2000 and have grown into a 150,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing plant today,” said Kevin Kooiker, director and production manager at Eagle Builders. “Using our two new SB50 Shuttlelifts, along with our existing Shuttlelift ISL50B (50 metric ton), we are able to increase our loading and storage efficiency with the three machines at our disposal.”
The SB50 single beam gantry cranes have provided a more cost-effective approach than previous methods used to make these same picks. The savings come from reduced time handling the product, quicker loading operation, reduced logistical waiting, and virtual elimination of third-party crane rentals.
The SB50s are also equipped with a number of features to maximize efficiencies for Eagle Builders’ specific operation, including all-wheel electronic steering, 12V LED lights to keep operations running through the night, AVT (Automatic Variable Throttle) to save on fuel consumption, and convenient remote diagnostic communications to maximize the machines uptime.
“We have enjoyed the maneuverability of all-wheel electronic steering on our ISL50B for years now and felt this was a must for our new machines,” said Kooiker. “with the wireless remote control we are able to reduce the required manpower by allowing the operator to be hands-on and closer to the action, and in turn, make the machine extremely efficient and safe to run.”
Another very important element of the crane purchase was based around dependable service. Kendrick Equipment is the certified Shuttlelift dealer servicing the Alberta area and has worked with Eagle Builders since itsfirst Shuttlelift purchase nearly 10 years ago. “The overall quality of the Shuttlelift product, as well as the first-class service provided by Kendrick Equipment, played a critical role in choosing which cranes we invested in,” said Kooiker.