The Boating Facility Program for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry operates and manages public boat access sites in Maine. Joe Powers, maintenance coordinator, manages approximately 21,000 square miles over six counties.

In 2012, Powers needed a crane to conduct repairs on public boat launch sites and to move and manipulate floating docks for public boat access within his large territory. He needed a crane that he could use reliably to move cement products. Powers issued a competitive bid with detailed specifications for the product requirements that would meet their needs, including a crane mounted on a Ford F-450 diesel truck.

Messer Truck Equipment was the distributor selected to fulfill the request and specified a Venturo ET18KX. It has electric-hydraulic power, hydraulic boom extension from 8 to 12 feet and a manual boom extension from 12 to 16 feet as well as continuous power rotation. Additionally, it meets American National Standards Institute B30.5 and Occupational Safety Health Administration 1910.180 safety requirements.

Powers is also pleased with the crane’s 4,500-pound lifting capacity and how it fit the size of the vehicle.

“We needed to spec a heavy enough piece of equipment, and the ET18KX was the perfect solution and we haven’t been disappointed since. It is well-manufactured and is a very reliable piece of equipment that does everything we expected it would do,” Powers said.

The Venturo ET18KX crane has allowed Joe Powers, maintenance coordinator for the Boating Facility Program through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, to easily put in and take out floating boat piers. (Photo provided)

Powers has been able to diagnose and service the crane himself, which has held up well in the harsh weather conditions of Maine. (Photo provided)

The Venturo ET18K was chosen by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry due to its 4,500-pound lifting capacity and how it fit the size of the vehicle. (Photo provided)

Powers, who works alone 95 percent of the time, noted that having the crane was like working with two extra people working with him. (Photo provided)

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Powers said, “It is my responsibility to put in and take out floating boat docks and I work alone 95 percent of the time.

The Venturo ET18KX crane is like having two extra people working with me. I am able to lift items and materials on and off the back of truck as well as move around a job site with ease.

“The ease of operation with the remote pendant is fantastic and the controls are very straightforward, easy to learn and easy for repeatability,” said Powers.

Powers said the crane is easy to maintain, especially since the crane operates outdoors approximately 90 percent of the time in harsh weather conditions.

“In the spring, summer and fall, a lot of the areas we are traveling in are along the coast of Maine, and there is always a chance for saltwater contamination in the air, which can cause corrosion,” said Powers. “We replaced the truck and kept the same crane body, which is the first major maintenance we have had to due, and I was able to diagnose and service the crane to do the maintenance myself.”

Powers carries service and parts information with him and was able to order the parts needed through a distributor, which were direct shipped in a timely fashion.

Another selling point Powers has found is Venco Venturo’s reputation as a well-established company with a great safety record.

“As I travel and talk with other operators, those who see the ET18KX crane in operation are very impressed. I also meet those who have had positive experience with Venco Venturo, including an operator who uses a smaller crane in the southern part of Maine. I can’t say enough positive comments about the ET18KX crane. It’s a great piece of equipment,” Powers said.

Information provided by Venco Venturo.