Tadano GTC-2000 Shows Off it's Versatility

30-Second Takeaway

Zenith Tech, a Walbec Group company, successfully rehabilitated a pedestrian and bike bridge along Wisconsin’s Glacial Drumlin State Trail by deploying a Tadano GTC-2000 telescopic boom crawler crane. Faced with tight access, sensitive terrain, and the inability to work directly from the bridge, the team relied on the crane’s compact footprint, low ground pressure, and strong lifting performance to complete critical piling and beam installation work, demonstrating how the right crane technology enables safe, efficient infrastructure upgrades that directly benefit local communities.

Zenith Tech, a Walbec Group Company, takes great pride in each project it does because its people know that they are benefiting the communities they live in. Case in point was a recent project that the Waukesha, Wisconsin-based company completed along the 52-mile (83.7-km) Glacial Drumlin State Trail that runs between Milwaukee and Madison.

“These types of jobs are especially rewarding because so many people use the trail for recreational purposes,” stated Construction Manager Steve Firari. “It involved rehabbing a pedestrian/bike bridge that was built on an old railroad bed across Rock Lake near Lake Mills. The piers were failing, so we essentially built new ones to make it more sound and safer.”

Adding to Zenith Tech’s satisfaction was its ability to overcome the challenges that came with the project, including the narrow path to the site and not being able to be on the bridge itself. Firari said he and his team work together and think about the right equipment for the job.

“We knew we needed a crane that was large enough to do the work we needed, yet also small enough to get in here due to the size of the trail,” emphasized Firari. “It had to have the ability to walk the approximately quarter mile (400 m) on the path and stay out of the tree canopy. Once at the site, it had to be able to sit in one spot and have enough reach, capacity and power to pick up the beams, then swing the beams at about a 144-foot (44 m) radius and drive them into the ground. The Tadano GTC-2000 was the ideal choice with its mobility, tracks, boom and everything else considered.”

Zenith Tech worked closely with Reynolds Equipment LLC Vice President of Sales Darren Reddekopp to rent the 200-ton-capacity telescopic boom crawler crane that features an adjustable track width (approximately 15 feet to 24 feet [4.6 m to 7.3 m]) in both symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations, so it can be used for applications with limited space. It also has low ground pressure, making it an ideal choice for working on sensitive sites like the Glacial Drumlin State Trail.

“We considered alternatives, but nothing gave us everything we needed like the Tadano did,” said Firari. “We pulled the tracks in to walk the path, then put them back out to full width once we got to the pad that we built for it to sit on. An added advantage was that we could put the tracks on, then walk it back to the site with the boom extended out in front. It would not have been feasible to walk it back and put the crawler tracks on because there just wasn’t enough room.”

Versatility with desired capacity

Operators Keith Keskimaki and Nate Stewart both said the Tadano GTC-2000’s usability in tight spaces and its versatility were major advantages. They used the crane for a variety of purposes on the Glacial Drumlin State Trail project, including lifting the bridge to get clearance underneath to drive pilings.

“Our main use was driving piling 85 feet (26 m) into the ground with a vibratory hammer,” said Keskimaki. “That was done in two sections. First, we drove a 55-footer (16.8 m) in part way, then set a second beam on top and welded it onto the other before driving them both down to grade. We also moved a template and other materials as needed. The Tadano had plenty of capacity in every situation. The load charts are right there on the in-cab monitor, and you can scroll through to choose the length of boom you want and find the sweet spot to pick the capacity you want.”

Keskimaki has used other Tadano cranes before this project and said the GTC-2000 operated similarly to those, making it easy to use right away. For Stewart, this project was his first experience with a Tadano.

“It’s nice and smooth, and fast when you need it to be,” Stewart proclaimed. “It was very easy to learn and get used to. I like that you can also slow it down if you need to without changing settings by using the throttle in the joystick. The joysticks are very responsive. There’s no delay, which is very helpful. Another feature that stands out is the visibility to the load. There is glass all around, including the top, so it’s easy to see where to put your hook and throughout the entire pick. The cab also lifts up to 16 degrees, which adds to the visibility when needed.”

About Zenith Tech

Zenith Tech, a Walbec Group company, is a Wisconsin-based heavy civil contractor specializing in bridge construction and rehabilitation, marine construction, deep foundations, and complex infrastructure projects. Headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the company is known for delivering technically demanding work in challenging environments, including waterways, tight-access sites, and active transportation corridors.

With a strong focus on teamwork, safety, and detailed planning, Zenith Tech selects equipment solutions that balance performance with environmental responsibility, ensuring projects are completed efficiently while benefiting the communities they serve.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.zenithtechinc.com

About Tadano Pan America

Tadano Pan America is the North American manufacturing, sales, and support division of Tadano Ltd., a global leader in lifting equipment. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tadano Pan America supports customers across the United States, Canada, and Latin America with a full range of telescopic boom crawler cranes, all-terrain cranes, rough-terrain cranes, and lattice boom crawler cranes.

The company is responsible for manufacturing and supporting Tadano’s telescopic boom crawler crane lineup, including the GTC Series, which is engineered specifically for jobs requiring high lifting capacity in confined, sensitive, or off-road environments. Tadano Pan America places strong emphasis on customer support, parts availability, training, and lifecycle service to ensure reliable crane performance throughout North America.

🔗 Tadano Pan America: https://www.tadano.com/us

🔗 Tadano GTC-2000: https://www.tadano.com/us/cranes/telescopic-boom-crawler-cranes/gtc-2000

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the scope of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail project?

The project involved rehabilitating a pedestrian and bike bridge built on an old railroad bed, including replacing failing piers to improve long-term safety and structural integrity.

What made the jobsite challenging?

Access was limited to a narrow recreational trail with environmental constraints. The crane had to travel approximately a quarter mile to the site while remaining below the tree canopy and minimizing ground impact.

Which crane was used for the project?

Zenith Tech used a Tadano GTC-2000, a 200-ton-capacity telescopic boom crawler crane.

Why was the Tadano GTC-2000 selected?

Its adjustable track width, low ground pressure, strong load charts, and ability to work from a single position made it ideal for tight-access and environmentally sensitive conditions.

What tasks did the crane perform?

The crane lifted bridge components, positioned beams, moved materials, and drove piling up to 85 feet into the ground using a vibratory hammer.

How did the crane support safe and efficient operation?

Operators benefited from in-cab load charts, excellent visibility, responsive controls, and a tilting cab that improved sightlines during critical lifts.