Neokraftsmanship
Cranes elevate sign companies to new heights.
By Eric Johnson,
Signs of the Times, March 3, 2006

Neokraft is a well-regarded, full-service, 35-person, custom sign company located in Lewiston, ME. Founded in 1947, the company provides regional service in New England. The company is owned and managed by Phil Bolduc, Peter Murphy and Paul Lessard. Neokraft owns all necessary tools and equipment, including an in-house neon plant, brakes, shears, augurs, bucket trucks, CAS equipment, etc. They also own a 65-ft. Skyhook crane.

Several years ago, the Neokraft partners decided to purchase a
new crane. They ended up with something rather innovative.
Bolduc, vice president of
fabrication/installation, explained.

Like most sign companies, Neokraft's crane evaluation began with reach and load lift. But Neokraft doesn't handle many large-scale, heavy signs. More importantly, crews must work in tight spaces. After much research, they purchased a fully articulating, fold-up crane manufactured by a Swedish company, HIAB Sverige AB (Sodertalje, Sweden).

Established in the 1940s, HIAB promotes itself as the world's leading manufacturer of truck-mounted, hydraulic, folding boom cranes. The company has manufactured or serviced more than 400,000 cranes. With more than 50 models, the HIAB line offers lift capabilities ranging from 0.8 to 66 metric tons.

With 15 years' experience servicing signs, Bolduc knew what he wanted in a crane. HIAB customized its 085 platform for Neokraft. The 085 offers a full 55-ft. reach, and medium-duty lifting capabilities of 6,600 lbs. without extensions, 800 lbs. at full reach. It is fully hydraulic except for one manual jib and fully capable of remote control. For Neokraft, the HIAB was designed for load lift only, without a platform or bucket.

Because its crews travel some distance, Bolduc opted for comfort and convenience. He selected a Freightliner FL 20, 33,000-lb. GCW truck with air ride, power mirrors and an extended cab. The truck's deck was co-designed with HIAB to feature 16 ft. of totally open working space. The deck is only 40 in. high. Neokraft's partners especially appreciate that the crane, 171/2 ft. long without extensions, folds up behind the cab.

Neokraft has operated the crane for five years. Optional attachments include a 24-in. augur, backhoe attachments or jaws. Diamond-shaped extension tubes provide tremendous stability.

Jim Glazer of Elliott, who acknowledged additional competition from Japan and Italy, said American companies offer models comparable to HIAB. For example, Elliott sells "knuckle-boom" cranes, although it doesn't market this very heavily. The general U.S. market wants cranes with more reach and more lift.

Glazer added that Elliott's sales have averaged an increased height demand of one foot per year for the last 10 years.