Dutch truck-mounted crane extends to a record 57 metres

Dutch crane truck specialist Martens Best has recently started operating its spectacular five-axle Scania R 500 with the biggest loader crane mounted on a truck in the Benelux – 57 metres. “Everywhere we go people are impressed,” says Managing Director and co-owner Chiel Martens.

The new Effer 2255 with 8-extension in the main boom and an 8-extension in the heavy duty flyjib is the Italian specialised manufacturer’s flagship product with a horizontal outreach of nearly 49 metres. In its maximum configuration, the crane reaches a height of 57 metres. At short length it can lift 30 tonnes, which when fully extended is reduced to 300 kilos. That is sufficient for the types of lifting assignments Martens often carry out.

“We especially use the superior height for lifting window frames and building panels,” explains Martens. “With our trucks we can perform jobs in places that are inaccessible to others.”

Business started with a cart

The all-Scania transport company has eight crane trucks – three five-axle, three four-axle and two three-axle vehicles. Chiel’s grandfather, Jan, started the business in 1958. During mornings, he tended his farm and, in the afternoons, hitched a cart to his horse to transport goods for the farmer’s guild. The transport business took off with more customers and in 1965 he purchased an Opel Blitz with a 2-tonne payload.

A few years later, the first of Jan’s three sons Cees Martens, Chiel’s father, joined the company and subsequently his two other sons were also engaged. In the 1970s, Martens acquired its first Scania, which was used to collect milk from dairy farmers.

“Scania always delivers”

Martens purchased its first crane truck on 1978 while still providing other transport services. But from the year 2000, when the company received its 25-metre crane, this became the sole focus. “We’re well known in the Netherlands and have plenty of work in this segment,” says Martens. “From the start, we’ve been operating Scania trucks and are very satisfied of the product. Scania always delivers what we need and finds a solution for every challenge.”