Summit Completes Seven-Crane Hydraulic Lineup

Summit Truck Bodies has completed its next-generation hydraulic crane lineup with the addition of five models: the 620, 629, 820, 1020, and 1029. The new cranes join the previously introduced 829 and 1229 models, creating a seven-crane lineup.

The models provide maximum lifting capacities ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 pounds and include options in 20-foot and 29-foot reach classes. The lineup includes the 620 and 629 at 6,000 pounds, the 820 and 829 at 8,000 pounds, the 1020 and 1029 at 10,000 pounds, and the 1229 at 12,000 pounds.

“When we began redesigning the 829, our goal was to develop a higher-capacity crane in a smaller overall package and establish the boom profile, component layout and hydraulic system that future models could build on," said Brent Thompson, lead of product development at Summit Truck Bodies. "Completing the lineup carries that platform across multiple capacity and reach classes, with fully proportional hydraulic valves providing smoother, more precise multifunction control."

Summit developed the crane family around several common design priorities, including strength-to-weight performance, lower-profile designs, proportional operation, and serviceability.

The cranes feature continuous rotation, fully proportional hydraulic controls, and a modular anti-two-block system. Summit also redesigned the boom, winch, and rotation systems to reduce the overall crane profile while supporting picking, positioning, and stowing.

The proportional hydraulic valve is designed to provide control when multiple crane functions are operated simultaneously. Summit said the system allows operators to position loads more efficiently.

"From the beginning, our focus was to create lighter, stronger cranes using optimized designs that could also be manufactured efficiently," said Christian Glascock, design engineering manager at Summit Truck Bodies. "Feedback from field technicians kept precise control, easier troubleshooting, and after-sales support at the forefront as we developed the cranes and Phase 5 system."

The combination of 20-foot and 29-foot models at multiple capacity levels gives customers options for selecting reach without moving to a higher lifting-capacity class.

"Working factory-direct puts us in a strong position to hear firsthand what customers need from their equipment," said Daniel DeAces, national sales manager at Summit Truck Equipment. "Technicians' jobs are changing daily, and completing this lineup gives us more ways to match the crane's capacity and reach to the work they perform.”

The seven cranes are engineered exclusively for Summit's Advanced Safety Electronics Phase 5 Control System. The system is standard on Summit service trucks equipped with hydraulic cranes and combines crane, body, and chassis controls on one operating platform.

Operators can access the system through a main touchscreen control panel, a wireless remote, and an in-cab control panel. The proportional wireless remote provides simultaneous crane control and displays real-time Load Moment Indicator data, operating status, and system alerts.

The remote also allows operators to deploy and monitor outriggers, activate frequently used functions, and automatically return the crane to its stowed position.

Additional Phase 5 functions include a load moment indicator, slow-and-stop protections near operating limits, novice mode, built-in diagnostics, maintenance tracking, programmable hot keys, and data capture designed to support future fleet-management integration.