Recall 16V037 affects 5 2015 Effer 470 and 440 Knuckle Boom Crane units for pedestal weld cracks. Repair is free at any franchised Effer dealer.
Effer is recalling 5 2015 470 Knuckle Boom Crane and 440 Knuckle Boom Crane units because the pedestal can crack in the welded area. The cracks can lead to pedestal separation and the crane falling, increasing injury risk, and Effer dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The pedestal on the 2015 Effer 470 Knuckle Boom Crane and 440 Knuckle Boom Crane is the main support structure the crane sits on. It carries the crane's weight and working loads down into the mounted vehicle chassis. On a knuckle boom crane, that support has to stay solid while the boom lifts, folds, swings, and transfers force through the base.
On affected cranes, the pedestal can crack in the welded area. A weld joins heavy structural sections together, so cracking there means the support is no longer intact as designed. The filing does not identify a confirmed root cause, but the defect is tied to the pedestal weld area called out in the Effer and NALE notice.
The warning sign is visible cracking during inspection before use. Operators should inspect the unit before operating the crane and treat any crack in the pedestal weld area as a stop-work condition until the required inspection and repair are completed.
Who's affected?
Covers two Effer knuckle boom crane models from the 2015 model year, both under the Equipment component.
| 2015 Effer 470 Knuckle Boom Crane | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2015 Effer 440 Knuckle Boom Crane | Equipment |
| Units affected | 5 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Cracks in the pedestal welds can let the pedestal separate and the crane fall, increasing injury risk. Inspect the unit before use for cracks and take it out of service if damage is found. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Effer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Effer 470 Knuckle Boom Crane or 440 Knuckle Boom Crane is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Effer dealer to schedule the free pedestal inspection and rotation-bearing mounting-bolt replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Effer has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V037 when you call.
- Avoid operating the crane until the dealer completes the inspection for cracked pedestal welds and the bolt replacement.
- Call Effer customer service at 1-800-860-0183 with questions about the recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Effer technician inspects the crane pedestal for cracked welds and replaces the mounting bolts for the rotation bearing. The inspection, replacement bolts, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this pedestal or rotation bearing bolt repair before the recall work was performed, Altec's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair invoices, payment records, and any related service notes to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 26, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 17, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 3, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V037?
Recall 16V037 covers 5 2015 Effer 470 Knuckle Boom Crane and 440 Knuckle Boom Crane units with pedestal welds that can crack. If the pedestal separates, the crane can fall and increase injury risk. Dealers will inspect the pedestal welds and replace the rotation-bearing mounting bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Effer 470 Knuckle Boom Crane or 440 Knuckle Boom Crane is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific crane is included in recall 16V037. If it is, contact a franchised Effer dealer to schedule the pedestal inspection and rotation-bearing mounting-bolt replacement. Reference recall number 16V037 or CSN 629 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost. For recall 16V037, the dealer inspection and rotation-bearing mounting-bolt replacement are free for included 2015 Effer 470 Knuckle Boom Crane and 440 Knuckle Boom Crane units.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is crane pedestal separation. The recalled Effer crane pedestals have welded areas that can crack, which can lead to the crane falling and increasing injury risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair before further crane operation.
When did the repair become available?
The recall repair became available when recall 16V037 began on March 3, 2016. Owners can contact customer service at 1-800-860-0183 and give recall number CSN 629, then work with a franchised Effer dealer to complete the free inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V037000 |
|---|---|
| Effer customer service | 1-800-860-0183 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V037 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V037000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →