07 October 2002
MANITOWOC SPECIFIES PENNY + GILES JOYSTICKS FOR ITS GLOBAL CAB DESIGN
The operator control panel, which is part of a programme to standardise operator cabs for Manitowoc Lattice Boom Cranes worldwide, is fitted with six Penny & Giles joystick controllers and will be installed initially on the Model 555.
An estimated 70-100 panels per year, featuring three JC150 and three JC600 joysticks, will be required for each model using the standard cab.
A unique feature of the joysticks, which control the craneís cable pay-out drums, is a mechanical feedback ëThumperí located in the Penny & Giles "HB" handle, that ëthumpsí the operatorís palm after each rotation of the drum. The ëThumperí - a solenoid with an extended button that was designed and assembled by GS Hydraulics via a wiring harness provided by Penny & Giles - is essential since the crane operator cannot normally see the cables as they are being paid out.
Commenting on the contract, a spokesman for Penny & Giles Inc. says Manitowoc Cranes is now fitting the new cab to its Model 999 and is planning to export assembled cabs to its French Division, Potain. He adds that operators worldwide will benefit from uniformity in location and function of the crane controls, whilst Manitowoc receives the benefit of cost savings from a common cab design.
The control station and the joysticks were fully operational for the launch of the new cab at the international Con-Ag exhibition in Las Vegas in March 2002.
Following the show, a number of joystick and handle variations have been requested for specialised customer applications.