Bobit Business Media received a visit from Stellar Industries, a manufacturer of hydraulic truck-mounted equipment, and Phenix Enterprises, a custom truck builder, at our office in Torrance, Calif. on November 29, 2016.

Editors from Work Truck, Automotive Fleet, Business Fleet, and Government Fleet magazines all got the opportunity to learn how to operate a truck-mounted crane.

Mike Butsch, strategic accounts manager for Stellar, and James Day, sales manager for Phenix, a Stellar upfitter, brought the Stellar 7621, a telescopic service crane that was mounted on one of Stellar’s service bodies and built at Phenix’s headquarters in nearby Pomona, Calif.

Learning About Hydraulic Power

Stellar Industries specializes in hydraulic truck equipment. The Garner, Iowa-based company manufactures trucks, cranes, hoists, and truck accessories.

The Stellar 7621 incorporates two hydraulic extensions, allowing the operator to use the crane without manually extending the arm. It features a crane rating of 44,840 foot-pounds with boost mode, a 21-foot maximum reach, and a 7,500-pound maximum capacity.

Stellar’s proportional radio remote control offers wireless control, allowing the operator to get as close to the job as needed. The Crane Dynamics Technology Plus system (CDTplus) features operator feedback including real-time load capacity, maximum distance with the current load, boom angle, and percentage of load. It comes with a rechargeable battery and in-cab docking and recharging station.

The hexagonal boom construction eliminates boom flex and side-to-side movement for precision. The planetary winch allows operators to move the crane up to 60 inches per minute.

Custom-Made Crane Configurations

The sample brought to Bobit Business Media’s office was constructed by Phenix Enterprises at its headquarters in Pomona, Calif.

The upfitter builds truck bodies, utility bodies, cranes, and other equipment from a variety of manufacturers. It also builds custom truck bodies.

Phenix upfits vehicles for a variety of applications, but specializes in building firefighting and utility trucks and equipment. The company works with a number of local utility companies.

Lightweight Crane Design

The crane was mounted on one of Stellar’s mechanic service bodies. Its aluminum design is lighter than comparable trucks, offering more capacity for tools and equipment.

Stellar’s Mechanic Service Body comes in different configurations, depending on the demands of the application.

Compartment handles feature 3-point compression latches that can be opened with one hand. All doors are double-sealed, keeping tools dry and safe from the outside environment.

The service body featured ample room for storage, with enough space for reels, tools, and other equipment. The truck was fitted with storage solutions from American Eagle Accessories Group, a division of Stellar.

Drawer systems come in a variety of configurations, based on the type of storage needed, including dividers for small tools, non-slip lining, and oil filter drawers featuring an integrated drain valve.

Drawers can be lifted up and out, making retrieval easier after a tool falls and gets stuck behind a drawer.
Bolt bins feature a pull-style handle and are angled to stay in place except when accessed.

Each side of the truck features a 500-pound capacity.