An Uplifting Story From ZooTampa: Shuttlelift SCD09 Essential For Manatee Rehab Program

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With its three-position pivoting boom nose, the Shuttlelift SCD09 offers smooth, controlled movement when transporting the manatees. (Photo courtesy of Manitowoc.)

For over 20 years, ZooTampa used a Shuttlelift 3330E to transfer manatees receiving treatment at its Manatee Critical Care Center. When it came time to replace the aging 3330E, ZooTampa returned to the Manitowoc brand and selected a new Shuttlelift SCD09 carry deck crane to assist in the provision of timely treatment for the manatees when the need arises for medical care and rehabilitation.

“Without the crane, we wouldn’t be able to get the manatees out from the transport truck into their pool when they first arrive, or from there into the medical school,” says ZooTampa’s Lisa Dijenno. “Sometimes they can weigh around 2,000 pounds when they come in, and the pools are elevated above the ground, so we obviously can’t lift them by hand. Then, when they’re ready for release, we need the crane to get them from the pool into the transport truck.”

Manatee Handling

The care and conservation of manatees is priority number one for the Manatee Critical Care Center, and ZooTampa acquired the new Shuttlelift SCD09 exclusively for the rehab program. The SCD09, which has a 9-ton (8.1-metric-ton) carry capacity, is easily able to handle the largest manatee patients, some of which weigh more than 2,500 lbs (1,134 kilograms). The SCD09 is equipped with a three-section, 33.2-foot (10.1-meter) boom for precise control, and there’s an option for a 12-ft (3.7-m) fixed swingaway extension.

“One option they were keen to take advantage of was the dual-fuel GM3.0L EFI gasoline/LP gas engine, which creates a much more pleasant environment for wildlife,” says Tim Moffitt, regional business manager at Manitowoc. “The exclusive three-position pivoting boom nose [0°, 40°, or 80°] is another useful feature. Every pick can be made in a smooth, controllable way, ensuring utmost care for the manatee.”

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ZooTampa staff say Shuttlelift’s SCD09 carry deck crane offers many upgrades over its aging predecessor. (Photo courtesy of Manitowoc.)

Big Upgrades

There are 13 manatees currently rehabbing at the facility, and Shuttlelift’s Rated Capacity Limiter (RCL) is critical to weighing the manatees. “We need to weigh the animals pretty regularly to monitor whether they’re gaining enough weight—they should eat about 16% of their body weight daily,” says Molly Lippincott, curator of Florida and manatees at ZooTampa. “On average, manatees weigh about 1,500 lbs, and can move pretty quickly when they want, so it’s important that we do what’s best for both them and us. We would not be able to function as a hospital without this crane.”

In addition to the RCL system, ZooTampa staff have expressed how easy the new SCD09 is to operate with new amenities like its automotive-style dash panel and hydraulic joystick control. “Not only is the crane pretty intuitive to operate, but it’s also the perfect size for our needs,” explains Dijenno. “It’s really easy to maneuver around the small area that we have, making sure we can quickly and efficiently move manatees between the truck and the pool.”

Source: Manitowoc