Petition Filed for New AD/CVD on Cranes From Japan

The petitioner, "the largest U.S. producer of mobile cranes in the United States," alleges that "the domestic lattice-boom crawler crane ('LBCC') industry has been materially injured-and is threatened with future material injury -- by reason of dumped LBCC imports from Japan."

Proposed Scope

The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:

"The merchandise covered by these investigations consists of lattice boom crawler cranes, and lattice boom crawler crane assemblies. LBCCs combine the assemblies defined below, among other components, including an undercarriage fitted with tank-link crawler tracks, an upper carriage housing the operator cab, engine, and hydraulics, and a boom made of steel pipe welded together in a distinctive lattice pattern. The scope of this investigation covers LBCCs and LBCC assemblies, whether assembled or unassembled, and whether or not the LBCC contains any additional features that provide for functions beyond the primary lifting function. All LBCCs are included in the scope regardless of maximum lift capacity, lattice boom length, jib configuration, or other added features.

"Subject merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the following LBCC assemblies which can be imported in isolation or combined in different configurations at the time of import:

• Lattice boom assemblies and pieces thereof. Lattice boom assemblies are formed of interlocking sections of welded high-strength steel pipe, that form the lifting attachment of the crane. A lattice boom is formed by welding main chords together, typically with lacing chords arranged in a "W" or "V" pattern. Lattice boom assemblies consist of a boom butt (also known as a boom bottom or boom base), which attaches to the upper carriage assembly, and a boom head (also known as a boom tip or boom hat), which forms the other end of the boom structure. In between the boom butt and boom head, boom inserts of various lengths can be inserted to reach the desired boom height and load bearing capability. Lattice boom assemblies may be imported with boom butt, boom tip, and boom inserts together, but boom butt, boom tip, and boom inserts imported alone are also covered by the scope.
• Lower carriage assembly. The lower carriage assembly (also may be referred to as a carbody or lower works) is constructed with high-strength steel components and forms the base of the crawler crane. The lower carriage assembly typically includes various motors, drive mechanisms, and hydraulics. The lower carriage assembly may also include a set of counterweights to provide backward stability for the assembled crane. The lower carriage typically has a circular center that is connected to the upper carriage assembly with a bearing. The lower and upper carriage assemblies may or may not be connected by a bearing at the time of importation. Steel arms extend from the center of the lower carriage and connect to the front and rear of the crawler assemblies that are positioned on both sides of the lower carriage assembly. The lower carriage assembly may also contain a hydraulic system that allows for the extension and retraction of the crawler assemblies to create a wider base. A lower carriage assembly may be imported with or without crawler assemblies.
• Crawler assembly. Each lattice boom crawler crane contains at least two crawler assemblies, which are continuous tracks that provide mobility and distribute the crane's weight evenly across the ground. The tracks of a LBCC consist of steel track shoes, which are interlocking steel plates that form the tread of the tracks and make direct contact with the ground, a track chain, which is a continuous loop of interconnected steel links, and a crawler body and track rollers, which support the track shoes and track chain. Typically, drive motors mounted on the lower carriage assembly connect to crawler-mounted drive sprockets, which engage the track chain and allow the LBCC to move forward and backward.
• Upper carriage assembly. The upper carriage assembly, also known as the upper works, typically includes the operator's cab, hydraulic systems, engine, boom hoist, mast, and a turntable base with swing drive mechanism that connects to the lower carriage assembly and allows the upper carriage to pivot on the undercarriage. The upper and lower carriage assemblies may or may not be connected by a bearing at the time of importation. The upper carriage assembly may also include a separate counterweight tray and counterweights, which allow the crane to maintain balance while lifting heavy loads, as well as a gantry, which helps lift the counterweights for installation or removal, although the counterweight tray, counterweights, and gantry are not required to be attached for the upper carriage assembly to be a subject assembly. The boom butt may or may not be attached to the upper carriage assembly at the time of entry.
• Hoisting assembly. The hoisting assembly, housed within the upper carriage assembly and lattice boom assembly, powers the lifting and lowering of loads and typically consists of a hoisting line of high strength steel cable, a hoist motor, hoist brakes, hoisting drums, and a hook block formed from steel sheaves, which helps distribute the load on the hoisting line and increases lifting capacity. The main hoisting line typically runs from the hoist drums, housed in the upper carriage assembly, up through the lattice boom (which may or may not house additional hoist drums) and hook block.
• Jib assemblies. Jib assemblies are optional components that can be added to the top end of the boom to provide the crane with greater reach. Similar to lattice boom assemblies, jib assemblies typically consist of interlocking sections of welded steel pipe, arranged in a "V" or "W'' lattice pattern. Jib assemblies can consist of either fixed jib, which extends from the main lattice boom at a fixed angle, or a luffing jib, which can be raised or lowered by the operator through a separate set of controls.

"Importation of any of these assemblies, whether assembled or unassembled, constitutes unfinished LBCCs for purposes of this investigation. Inclusion of other components not identified as comprising the finished or unfinished LBCCs and LBCC assemblies do not remove the products from the scope.

"Processing of LBCCs and LBCC assemblies such as welding, joining, bolting, painting, coating, finishing, or assembly, either in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product or in a third country does not remove the product from the scope.

"LBCCs and LBCC assemblies subject to this investigation include those that are produced in the subject country whether assembled with other components in the subject country or in a third country. Processing or completion of finished and unfinished LBCCs and the covered LBCC assemblies either in the subject country or in a third country does not remove the product from the scope.

"LBCCs subject to this investigation are typically classifiable under subheadings 8426.49.0010 and 8426.49.0090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). LBCC assemblies may also be classified under subheadings 8426.49.0010 or 8426.49.0090, or may be classified under subheadings 8431.49.1090, 8431.49.1010, 8431.49.1060, 8487.90.0080, or 8425.19.0000 of the HTSUS. While the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive."

ITC and Commerce to Initiate Investigation

The Commerce Department and the ITC will accept comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. The ITC has initiated an investigation, with a preliminary determination expected by May 27.