Bigge last week came out to discuss its initiatives and efforts to protect the environment. The company is working to comply with regulations by doing everything possible to reduce its environmental impact. To this end, Bigge has adopted numerous green initiatives.

Years before recent regulations were announced, Bigge started aggressively replacing equipment utilizing older Tier 0 engines with cleaner burning, more fuel-efficient Tier-3 technology. In 2006, 35 percent of Bigge’s fleet consisted of pre-1996, Tier-0 machines. Only four years later, the proportion of Tier 0 equipment has dropped to 8 percent and cranes with Tier-3 engines, the cleanest available, now make up 26 percent of Bigge’s fleet.

At the same time that Bigge began aggressively upgrading its fleet, Bigge also deployed a rigorous inspection and maintenance program, the Bigge 5-star Inspection Program. Every crane deployed by Bigge must pass a 144-point inspection. Through this program, Bigge reduces air emissions, and reduces diesel fuel, engine oil and hydraulic oil leaks.

Bigge has also instituted a recycling program to recycle all of the waste oils and coolant produced by its cranes, as well as all paper, wood, metal, plastic and even electronic products. Many of these waste products are sold to recyclers, or disposed of in an ecologically beneficial manner. Bigge works with Evergreen Oil as its green partner for disposal of harmful waste.

To support new California Air Resource Board emission regulations , Bigge is an active dealer for Cleaire retrofit filters and a certified installer for all on-road and off-road crane applications.

Bigge Crane & Rigging is headquartered in San Leandro, Calif.