Crane Spotlight
maneuverability for navigating facilities while larger units provide increased boom length and higher lift capacities for more demanding applications. Additionally, for indoor environments, electric-powered models are increasingly attractive because they produce zero exhaust emissions and significantly lower noise levels, important considerations for air quality and worker comfort.
Expanding Reach
Customers of dedicated carry deck crane manufacturers have a range of choices. At Broderson Manufacturing, for example, the company’ s product lineup extends from the compact IC-20, with a 5,000-pound capacity and 15-foot boom to its largest model, the IC-400.
Introduced earlier this year, the Broderson IC-400 offers a 25-ton lifting capacity along with a 75-foot, 5-inch main boom and up to 99 feet of tip height when equipped with a boom extension. With dimensions of 9 feet, 11 inches in height and 8 feet, 6 inches in width, the machine maintains a compact profile despite its significant capacity.
One of the IC-400’ s innovations is an exclusive three-position hydraulic outrigger system, which gives operators additional flexibility in restricted spaces, along with a four-section boom that extends and retracts sequentially and provides continuous 360-degree rotation.
Safety technology on the IC-400 includes a rated capacity limiter that provides audible and visual overload warnings while automatically stopping boom functions if overload conditions occur. An electronic level sensor is also integrated into the control system. For maneuverability, operators can switch between rear-wheel steering, four-wheel steering and crab steering modes, with electronic systems assisting wheel alignment when changing configurations.
Operator comfort in the IC-400 was addressed with an all-weather climate-controlled cab that features
The new Broderson IC-400 carry deck crane offers a 25-ton lifting capacity along with a 75- foot, 5-inch main boom and up to 99 feet of tip height when equipped with a boom extension. One of the crane’ s innovations is an exclusive three-position hydraulic outrigger system for additional flexibility in restricted spaces. expanded shoulder, leg, and headroom. Ergonomically designed electronic controls and fatigue-reducing joystick systems are also part of the crane’ s design.
While diesel-powered carry deck cranes remain common, electrification is steadily gaining momentum in certain industrial applications. JMG Cranes offers a range of fully electric carry deck cranes that can work for up to eight zero emissions hours without interruption. JMG’ s MC 100RE model offers a maximum lifting capacity of more than 10 tons.
Manitowoc serves the carry deck segment through two distinct product lines: Shuttlelift Carry Deck( SCD) and Grove Carry Deck( GCD). Each family consists of four models with capacities that range from 9 to 25 tons. The flagship GCD25 / SCD25 features a 71-foot boom and an optional 17-foot offsettable swingaway extension and can deliver a maximum tip height of 95 feet.
The GCD25 / SCD25 machines have four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering systems for congested jobsite maneuverability, and a four-position pivoting boom head for versatility. A recently added optional multi-camera package, the manufacturer pointed out, improves operator visibility and supports safety.
One distinguishing characteristic of Shuttlelift and Grove carry deck cranes is the availability of a dual-fuel option, which gives customers the flexibility to work both indoors and outdoors.
Industrial Cranes
Strong Fundamentals
According to Jacob Dunning, product manager industrial cranes at Manitowoc, the outlook for the carry deck crane market remains strong.“ Infrastructure projects, expansions of warehouse and distribution centers, and the maintenance of manufacturing facilities and utility plants are driving the demand for carry deck models,” he said.“ High rental utilization rates and aging customer equipment fleets are also contributing to market demand.”
Carry deck cranes occupy a niche that few other machines can effectively serve. They combine lifting capability, transportation functionality, and maneuverability in a single package, making them valuable in applications where larger cranes would be impractical or inefficient. At the same time, technological improvements such as telematics, advanced safety systems, and enhanced visibility packages are helping address changing customer expectations.
Those factors suggest that carry deck cranes will continue to play a critical role in industrial lifting operations where these highly maneuverable machines remain uniquely positioned to meet the growing need for efficient lifting in confined spaces. As manufacturers continue introducing new models and innovations, the carry deck crane market appears well equipped to support the next generation of industrial and construction projects.
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November 2026 • www. cranehotline. com