SpanDeck introduced the Mantis line of hydraulic telescopic-boom crawler cranes in 1979 and has since that time established itself as a leading manufacturer of telescopic boom crawler cranes.  The earliest models, the 2010 and 2610 were of 10 and 13-tons (9 and 11.7-tonnes) capacity and with their compact dimensions were designed primarily for use in the tank-building industry. Industries such as power transmission line erection and bridge construction soon discovered the Mantis which brought about the development of the higher capacity 3612, an 18-ton (16.3-tonne) capacity model in 1981 and the 5012 a 25 ton(22.5-tonne) in 1983.

As well as building crawler cranes SpanDeck expanded its technical capabilities through successful completion of several high-visibility, prestigious and challenging crane design and manufacturing contracts. These include:

SpanDeck entered the railroad market in the late 1980s with a rail-mounted heavy equipment transporter for railroad maintenance-of-way service.  This product was followed in 1991 with the Mantis 30011, a rubber-tired re-railing truck-mounted crane with a rated capacity of 150-tons @ 11ft radius (136-tonnes @ 3.3m).  SpanDeck’s target market for this product was and remains national railroads and the contractors to which the railroads out source their rerailing requirements.  In addition to rerailing and maintenance-of-way service, railroads and/or general contractors that service railroads for emergency and/or accident clean up use these cranes where both mobility and strength are essential to complete the task at hand.  An arrangement with Freightliner allows SpanDeck to offer a North American service network on a nationally known truck platform.  This strategy has propelled SpanDeck's Mantis 30011 to the dominant position it maintains today in this type of product.

Over the past 20 years Mantis has introduced and updated its crawler crane line.  Today the line consists of five models: the 3612 18-ton (16.3-tonnes), the 6010 30-tons (27-tonnes), the 8012 40-tons (36-tonnes), the 10010Mx 50-tons (45-tonnes), and the 14010 70-tons (63-tonnes).   

The line of Mantis crawler cranes developed by SpanDeck now represents the broadest and most advanced range of telescopic boom crawler cranes manufactured by any company worldwide.  The growth of the Mantis telescopic boom crane concept into a ‘line’ has been a steady process, with most of the models developed against the specifications of contractors specializing in ever more diverse applications. Today the line finds applications with general construction companies, foundation contractors, tunneling and highway constructors, crane rental companies, railroads, as well pipeline and power line contractors.

Tough jobs are easy prey for the Mantis.  Let us build one to your exacting standards today.