New Auto Crane 6 Series FAQs

Your questions answered

Compatibility and Body Fit

A: Both cranes are compatible with a wide range of service truck bodies from multiple manufacturers. Auto Crane’s engineering team works directly with upfitters, dealers, and fleet managers to confirm compatibility and conform crane specifications to the body’s foot-pound capacity requirements. Contact your authorized Auto Crane dealer to verify fit for your specific body and chassis configuration. 

A: Yes. The NexStar HC-6 and EHC-6 can be programmed to be more specific to your body application. Auto Crane’s engineering team works with dealers and fleet managers to configure the crane to meet the requirements of the body and chassis it will be mounted on.

A: No. The new slew drive design on the re-engineered 6-Series eliminates the need for a riser or elevation base when using a sliding top on your crane body. The slew drive does not interfere with the sliding top, simplifying the installation and reducing the cost of the upfit.

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NexStar Control System

A: Yes. The NexStar intelligent control system carries over to both the new NexStar HC-6 and NexStar EHC-6 without any loss of functionality. Operators familiar with the previous NexStar system will find no difference in the control experience. The same proportional control, plain-English diagnostics, overload protection, level sensing, and adjustable speed settings are all standard.

A: Yes. The NexStar intelligent control system carries over to both the new NexStar HC-6 and NexStar EHC-6 without any loss of functionality. Operators familiar with the previous NexStar system will find no difference in the control experience. The same proportional control, plain-English diagnostics, overload protection, level sensing, and adjustable speed settings are all standard.

A: NexStar provides proportional control of multiple crane functions simultaneously and independently, load-monitoring and diagnostic readouts in plain English with no codes to look up, automatic stop at 100% load capacity, level sensing that prevents operation in unsafe conditions, adjustable speed settings from 25% to 100%, and an IP66-rated transmitter that is sealed and water-protected for field durability.

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Ordering, Pricing, and Availability

A: Yes. Both cranes are available now through the Auto Crane dealer network. Current lead times for a crane-only order are approximately six weeks. Crane and body packages are approximately 8 to 10 weeks. Contact your authorized Auto Crane dealer for current availability.

A: No. The NexStar HC-6 and NexStar EHC-6 are available at the same price as the previous models despite the significant improvements in weight, strength, and features. Auto Crane made a deliberate decision to make the transition as easy as possible for dealers and customers.

A: Contact your Auto Crane dealer or regional sales manager to get the new part numbers and transition any existing orders. If you have orders already in process for the previous HC-6 or EHC-6, Auto Crane will review those orders and, where possible, fulfill them with the new re-engineered model at no additional cost. Do not continue ordering under the old part numbers as those models are being discontinued.

A: Yes. Auto Crane will continue to support the previous models with parts and service for a reasonable period of time. Auto Crane has a long history of supporting older models well beyond typical industry standards and is committed to ensuring customers who operate the previous generation are not left without support.

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Manufacturing and Future Products

A: Both cranes are designed, engineered, assembled, and quality-tested at Auto Crane’s Tulsa, Oklahoma facility, where the company has been building service cranes since 1958. Auto Crane has recently invested significantly in expanded manufacturing capacity and automation at the Tulsa plant, including robotic welders, to increase production output and quality consistency.

A: Auto Crane has increased production capacity by 4x compared to a few years ago. Current lead times are approximately six weeks for a crane-only order and 8 to 10 weeks for a crane and body package. Auto Crane has also committed to maintaining component inventory to keep lead times as short as possible.

A: Yes. The new valve block introduced on the 6-Series is planned to be standardized across the Auto Crane lineup from the HC-5 through the HC-14, replacing multiple valve block variants currently in use. This will deliver smoother operation, better adjustability, and greater consistency across the full product range. 

A: Auto Crane has confirmed a new 12,000 lb crane is in development with the same re-engineering philosophy applied to the 6-Series — reducing weight, reducing complexity, and improving performance. Significant weight savings are anticipated. Follow Auto Crane and Ramsey Industries for updates on timing and availability.

A: Yes. The new NexStar HC-6 and NexStar EHC-6 are designed to be compatible with Ramsey Connect, Auto Crane’s IoT telematics platform. The cranes are set up for IoT integration and Ramsey Connect availability for these models is coming soon. No crane replacement will be required when Ramsey Connect becomes available, the new cranes are already configured for it.