News Release

April 24, 2006

Model 18000 Leads Lifting at Italian Power Plant

A Manitowoc Model 18000.

A Manitowoc Model 18000 crawler crane is playing a key role in conversion work at the Torre Nord power plant in Civitavecchia, 50 km (31 miles) northwest of Rome. The plant, which is owned and operated by Italian utility giant Enel, is replacing existing oil-fired systems with steam turbines and constructing a new power station to accommodate the change.

The Model 18000 will lift all the major components, including the steam turbines and the steel structures that support them. The giant crawler, which arrived on site at the end of 2005, will remain on the project until completion in 2009. The crane’s owner is Demont, a contractor specializing in the installation and maintenance of structures inside industrial facilities. Demont is leading work on the project in conjunction with Ansaldo Caldaie and Babcock-Hitachi.

Philippe Cohet, executive vice president of Manitowoc Crane Group in EMEA, visited the site earlier this year and was impressed with what he saw.

“Being here allows me to see just what an excellent crane the Model 18000 is for power plant work,” Cohet said. “This model has already built dozens of facilities in the Americas and Asia - on-time and on budget. Contractors in Europe are now picking up on its market-leading capabilities and the crane is continuing its global success in Europe. As the power market becomes ever more price competitive and deregulated in our region, we expect to see more of these projects. And, of course, more Manitowoc crawler cranes constructing these new facilities.”

At present, the Model 18000 is working with 79 m (259 ft) of main boom and 33 m (108 ft) of luffing jib together with the capacity-enhancing MAX-ER attachment, which gives the unit a maximum lift capacity of 750 t (827 USt). Demont studied a number of lifting options prior to beginning work on the Torrevaldaliga project but opted for the 18000 because of its excellent lifting capacity – particularly at long radii – and its compact dimensions, which allowed it to fit into existing spaces within the power plant. The 18000’s hefty pick-and-carry capability was an additional advantage, which swung Demont’s decision in favor of the Model 18000.

In addition to the Manitowoc crawler, Demont purchased three Potain tower cranes for the project. The two MR 605 luffing jib cranes and the MD 485 top-slewing crane are working in conjunction with the Model 18000 handling materials as part of the finishing process once the Manitowoc has placed the larger structural pieces. The MR 605 can handle a maximum of 32 t (35 USt) or 17.5 t (19 USt) at its jib end of 40 m (131 ft). The MD 485 can lift a maximum of 25 t (28 USt) or 3 t (3.3 USt) at its jib end of 80 m (262 ft).