[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

I noticed that myself this morning.

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

The trucks have not been to ICRANE since i purchased them.We have had them about 5-6 months and both trucks are used every day. There are no service records on the crane because the only thing we have done is wash them. We did however blow up the motor in the F550 as a bearing let go at 5,000 miles and because they were purchased through ford they rented me a manitex crane while the motor was being put in. All paid for by Ford under warranty. As soon as the trucks get back in here I will take you some photos. The cranes they are building are not what they were building. They actually have put an extreme amount of hours in redesigning the crane and leveling system etc. It is completely different. I'll post the pictures later.

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

Their website is www.icranellc.com. There is nothing "Fishy" going on! The web page layout is the same because Sam made the old website when he was there. Again, wouldn't it be fair to let "ICRANE" run their business without you bringing up Sam who is no longer associated with ICRANE~!!!!! Put some time and effort into looking over the quality of what they are doing before you bad mouth a good company! For God's sake man! Get over it! SAM IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ICRANE!!! Did you catch that?

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

Just confirmed it! Not the same company. That is Sam's new company! It is however the same web page layout

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

That is not the same company if that is what you are implying. Also, to answer your question on how the new cranes are, I have had no issues whatsoever. The trucks are worked every day and they are extremely efficient and easy to work out of. Jobs get done faster, 4 man basket can't be beat, jib winch, etc. The new cranes are extremely solid and over built. Instead of bad mouthing and having a bad attitude towards ICRANE why don't you actually look at the new crane? Have you done that? I would assume no! I know some of you got screwed by the old company (skylift) but I'm quite sure you weren't screwed as bad as I was. I got the first Skylift ever made if that tells you anything. And by the way, the answer is "yes" amazingly it still works, although it is a huge piece of SH--!

Would it not be fair to the new owners to actually look the crane over before you throw them under the bus? Certified welders, automotive painters, etc. The quality is every bit as good as Manitex and Elliott. I've used both of them! Why pay all the extra money when you get a great crane for the $?

[ICRANE Update]

Nothing is in it for me. I am just posting the pictures and letting people know that this is not the same company that started skylift. I am sure there are sign companies out there that don't want to spend $175,000 but want a good crane. I just want people to see the Icrane before they go buy a used wore out crane for 100k or a new overpriced crane.

[ICRANE Update]

The reach is 62'-65' working height but straight up we were able to reach a 7 story sign on a wall. It has 2 winches. The jib winch has a 500 pound capacity plus a man in the basket and a winch mounted near the base under the crane that lifts 2,000 pounds. I can get you the exact capacity shortly. Those trucks run about $120 - $130k depending on what you want on it. Extremely stable all the way out.

[ICRANE Update]

Randy,

We have a neon guy in house and are we are the only shop left here in Brevard. That's good to know though if we get swamped or need a repair over there. Email me your info and I'll keep it handy. kendal@kendalsigns.com

[ICRANE Update]

Just wanted to post a few pictures of the new truck. This is the nicest crane I have been in. Smooth operation, completely new leveling system that keeps you perfectly level at all times. (Designed for the Icrane). Springs on the extend/retract cable so there is never slack in the line, rhino lined bed, steps on the rear bumper, bin large enough for torch tanks, extended jib winch contained on the basket etc. In my opinion this truck has everything you would need to install/service a sign. This is by far the best thing going for an F550 class of trucks as far as reach and capacity. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions as to what you would change.

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

New truck arrived!

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

These are not the first one's off the line. They are however the first ones made the way I asked them to. They are $115k each. There is no nickel and diming over the different options. They have gone out of their way to make it how I asked. They have also installed a custom hydraulic tank to go behind the bins instead of losing the bin space. They also are taking 3 of my current trucks in trade. Can't get that done anywhere else.

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

I'll send pics of my completed one in a week or 2. I did not say it was the best crane I have seen. What I am trying to say is that for everyday service and install it is just as capable. I personally like that it is on an F550 which makes it more versatile with less maintenance. Elliott's version of that goes 45' working height with no lifting capabilities and costs 100k. It does the same job for less with the exception of lifting 6,000 lbs. So for me this crane will do 95% of what the others will do. It is a sign crane designed for the sign industry. I believe there was a huge void in that price range. It simply cannot cost $170,000 to build an Elliott or Manitex! They are very nice but overpriced. If you can afford it then yes I recommend those too as they are great products. Those pictures were to basically show that it is not the same crane that used to be built. It was not 100% complete as far as the winch goes. The controls have been moved to the right side and changed to a paddle control. You can also relocate the controls to the front if you like it there better.Larger lamp bin will be added to mine. Forks under the bucket to hold sign faces. Remember you tell them what works best for you as they are built to your specs. Of course you could nit pick anything on any truck if it wasn't made to your liking.

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

Step bumper was added to my trucks as well as relocating the hydraulic tank for more bins. As far as the basket access being dangerous are you kidding me? I hope when you are working on a sign you would have cones out or enough room to set your boom down somewhere. The strobe light will blind the operator? Really? These are the meaningless things you are bitching about? Everything you complained about is as simple as telling them where you would like everything to be located as they will put it wherever you like. That is the advantage of actually dealing with the factory and not a dealer. I'll do my best to make sure there is a crane at the next show. I can't speak for the owner but I am only 45 minutes from the Orlando show. Worst case, I'll drive it over there. And once again for all of you who are not paying attention " Sam Marcum is no longer there or has anything to do with I-CRANE!!!" as stated in my first post! Thanks for paying attention. Good Talk!

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

If they keep building the current crane with the improvements that have been made the reputation should turn around soon. I do agree that it will be an uphill climb.

[I-crane, icrane??? Watch yourselves]

Sam Marcum is no longer there. The crane you are speaking of used to be no good! I know first hand because I bought the first one and I still use it every day. It is not so great and you need to have some sort of mechanical skill to fix the problems. The new owner has spared no expense in making the new crane a top quality crane! Have you even seen the new crane? After looking it over I purchased 2 of them. I've been in the industry for 26 years so I have seen and worked on every kind of crane there is. In my opinion the new I-CRANE is just as good as Elliott or Manitex and even has a few features that are nicer. The lifting capacity is less but how often do you need to crane to pick up a 6,000 pound sign? This is not the same crane that was built by skylift. Heavier tubes, bigger cylinders, 360 degree rotate, steel cat track (not plastic), very heavy duty hydraulic outriggers, paddle controls in basket, etc. at 50k less than the other guys.

This is an industry where people think that their used cranes are still worth the $165,000 they paid for them. So, get a 2007 Manitex or overpriced Elliott or buy a brand new unit from I-CRANE? I'll take the new unit on a new truck with no issues! So maybe you should take a look at the new crane before you trash talk the new owner who has other successful fabrication companies and has obviously invested a ton of money to make it a top quality crane.