Article: New Manitowoc crane keeps environment in mind: Vegetable oil stands in as hydraulic fluid.

Byline: Rick Barrett

Sep. 27--Manitowoc Crane Group is testing a truck-mounted crane that uses vegetable oil in the hydraulic lift system.

It's a first for the crane industry, according to the company, and it's aimed at crane work in or near wetlands, lakes, rivers, forests and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Many hydraulic fluids are petroleum-based. Crane operators sometimes call it "cherry juice" and say it can be nasty if spilled into the environment.

That happens sometimes, said Jeff Johnson, chief operating officer of Scott Powerline and Utility Equipment, a Louisiana firm that's testing the biodegradable hydraulic fluid for National Crane, a ...

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