Great River Energy’s fleet gained a powerful new tool in February with the addition of a Bronto Skylift bucket truck, bringing with it new reach, flexibility and capability to transmission work across the system. The Bronto 196 HDT‑C can reach a working height of 196 feet, opening the door to work that previously required different equipment or approaches.
Because Bronto is a new manufacturer for Great River Energy, crews recently completed in‑service training on the unit, gaining hands-on experience with its features and operation. One of the most notable capabilities is that the truck is tested and rated to 500 kilovolts for bare-hand work methods, which is a first for the cooperative.
The Bronto has a wind rating of 28 mph, compared to 20 mph for most cranes with similar reach, providing greater flexibility under challenging conditions. Inside the bucket, a material handling winch allows crews to lift up to 1,750 pounds on the boom.
“This expanded capability gives us much more flexibility,” said Great River Energy Supervising Manager of Transmission Construction and Maintenance JR McGuire. “I’m confident we’ll realize even more benefits from this addition moving forward.”
Designed for challenging terrain, the truck is built so that all axles can be locked together when additional traction is needed. Because of its size and weight, special permits are required to transport the unit to job sites. The rear axles are also equipped with a Tire Boss system, which helps crews adjust traction as conditions change, making it easier to get the truck safely where it’s needed, even in tough environments.
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