2006 Granite with a 30 ton National crane

[SCS]

I am flying out from Idaho and driving it back this Saturday, this will replace my current 22 ton Manitex on a Sterling chassis. It has the A1-427 engine, full lockers, and a 10 speed. 45 K miles and kept inside when not being operated. The original owner is the only one who has operated it, never a rental unit! He owns a industrial metal fab business, and the truck bed appears to be mostly or partly anyway, stainless steel. All aluminum wheels, power windows, pretty much all the options from what I understand, something of a creampuff. It's a CV703?

I am buying this sight unseen, (can't hardly believe that myself....) largely due to what I have found about the owners fab company, and some long phone conversations. He is getting a brand new 50 ton National crane. I was actively looking for several months, and so many are beater rental units, and/or have tens of thousands of hours, or both. Or, sold months or years ago but still being advertised! This was on the market for about 1 week when I snapped it up. 1500 hrs on the crane, it set trusses ONCE, on a relatives garage, so very low cycle times. This will be my first National, after 1 JLG,(10 ton) 2 Terex's (17 ton) and the Manitex. I understand them to be highly regarded in this category of light crane, supposed to have real smooth controls. This has the newer pilot control system, something my Manitex lacks.

I plan to keep good records of my mileage, and will be happy if it's over 6. Probably drive 65, I'm not real sure how it's geared. I'm real happy to avoid a newer power plant, whatever shortcomings this may have at least it doesn't need DEF fluid. I'll post a picture or two when I get it back. My first scheduled job is next Tuesday, setting a pre fab bank vault, so it's going right to work.

[SCS]

Got it back to Idaho, I got 4.7 (big head wind, doing 65 mph at 1750 rpm. to 5 + MPG.

[Joe Ditchkus]

Not great mileage even with a headwind. I hope it improves. Joe D.