Marine Crane Powered by Small Gas Kohler

No matter the size or scope of a project, Laborde Products is ready to provide the ideal power solution. Techcrane International, LLC required a small gasoline engine for a crane it was installing on a 50' push boat. Laborde supplied the company with a complete, custom package built around a 32.5 hp Kohler Command PRO CH940-2002.

While a marine crane typically uses diesel power, this small workboat has gas outboards, so it made sense to use a common fuel. The Kohler drives a 31' telescopic crane that offers a 20' H x 12' radius range, and 3.5 ton capacity. The vessel, built by Scully's Aluminum Boats of Morgan City, Louisiana, operates on the Mississippi River.

Laborde delivered the engine installed on a steel skid, along with the control panel, two emergency shutdowns and a canopy painted in Techcrane International, LLC's signature canary yellow. "One of the reasons why we use Laborde is because they're capable of giving us a complete package," said Darius Shad, Techcrane International, LLC president. "All we had to do is put the pump on."

The Kohler CH940-2002 is a v-twin, air-cooled, horizontal-shaft, 4-cycle gasoline engine. It features overhead valves, cast iron cylinder liners and an aluminum block. Producing 53.5 ft. lbs. of torque, the unit is slightly oversized to extend its usable life.

"At Laborde Products, we custom-engineer and manufacture complete packages to customer specifications," said Roger Markwardt, Laborde Products industrial manager. "We specialize in providing solutions to a wide variety of diesel power needs and applications, regardless of the horsepower requirements."

An approved vendor for Techcrane International, LLC for over 10 years, Laborde was the ideal choice for the project. "Their ability to do everything in-house—testing and assembly—that's paramount," noted Shad. "They're prompt with coming up with a preliminary design and pricing, and vigilant in following up on every project."