News

California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health is moving to prohibit the use of synthetic webbing, natural, or synthetic fiber rope slings in the suspension of a personnel platform from a crane or derrick. Instead, wire rope slings are recommended. The proposal by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health is based on the standard […]

Thomas Equipment, Inc., Centreville, New Brunswick, has announced that Pneutech, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary that engineers, manufactures, and distribute pneumatic and hydraulic systems and components, has initiated a court supervised restructuring in Canada to facilitate the refinancing of its credit facilities. Thomas Equipment, Inc. and its subsidiaries in other countries are not subject to […]

Man & Material Lift Engineering, Cudahy, Wis., recently completed Factory Mutual (FM) testing for the UL “EX” standard on battery-powered boom lifts. All battery-powered boom lifts working in hazardous environments where explosive gases, dusts, or other volatiles may be present must meet the UL “EX” standard. Explosion-proof enclosures and intrinsically safe controls were utilized to […]

Manitowoc Crane Group, Manitowoc, Wis., has updated and expanded its line of YardBoss industrial cranes. The 22-ton capacity YB7722 and YB7722XL replace the previous 7720/7720XL 20-ton cranes. The 9-ton YB4409-2 is a new addition to the product line. Besides the capacity enhancement, the YB7722 and the XL version feature a 15-ton deck carrying capacity and […]

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., Charlotte, N.C., announced it has completed the acquisition by merger of NationsRent Companies. The acquisition is valued at $1 billion and creates the third largest equipment rental provider in the U.S. rental market with more than 470 locations, including 100 NationsRent locations at Lowe's. “We are pleased that the acquisition is completed, […]

The Oilgear Company, Milwaukee Wis., announced that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Mason Wells Buyout Fund II, Limited Partnership, an affiliate of the Milwaukee-based private equity firm Mason Wells. The proposed merger is expected to be completed by the end of 2006, subject to approval by Oilgear's shareholders and […]

The use of personal fall protection, harnesses, and lanyards on aerial work platforms was the focus of the Aerial Platform Council's meeting at the annual Scaffold Industry Association convention, held in Baltimore, Md., in July. Dave Merrifield of Merrifield Safety Consulting, Jeff Stachowiak of Sunbelt Rentals, and Chuck Hutchinson of Bil-Jax, Inc. chaired the Aerial […]

Rental Holdings, LLC, Chicago, Ill., parent company of Industrial Hoist Services, LP, and a platform company of Chicago private equity firm Prospect Partners, LLC, has announced the management•led acquisition of Delta Wire Rope, Inc., Lafayette, La. Founded in 1979, Delta Wire Rope specializes in the sale, rental, and servicing of equipment to customers primarily in […]

Hirschmann Automation and Control (PAT), Chambersburg, Pa., has introduced the PRS 40 EZ indicator system for mobile cranes. The PRS 40 EZ replaces their previous model, the PRS 35 EZ. The PRS 40 EZ was designed to incorporate both wireless and hardwired sensors and can be set up to monitor inputs from a single sensor […]

Verbal crane signal company Signal-Rite, LLC, Hayward, Calif., is now offering an eight-hour signal training course, for which it is seeking national certification. The verbal signal training program includes a written exam and a practical exam. While taking the practical exam, the student must show they have complete control over the hoist by landing the […]