Mountain Biking - Cranks for 300lb rider?

My buddy who weighs around 300lbs is going to purchase a bike to get in shape, I'm helping him build up strong parts like rims, handlebars, and cranks. Unfortunately I have no Idea what inexpensive cranks are the strongest. I'm guessing maybe LX or the new hollow LX or hollow deore's, or maybe even the Bontrager sports. Any suggestions?

Well this is tricky. Inexpensive and strength typically do not go together. Although the Tru Vativ Fire Sl is plenty strong for the price. If you look around enough you can find a good quality Sugino like the 700 or maybe the Mighty for a great price. The bad thing about Sugino is ring life. Great crank for the money just bad rings. I would reccomend Phat Tire. Angelo can hook you up!
http://www.phattire.com/default.htm
Hope this helps.

Good crank for the price is a TruVative Hussefelt! It's a downhill crank, but can be converted over to a triple and is super strong!

Check em out!

If you want a indestructible crank, although not really cheap, check our www.profileracing.com They make a tubular chromoly crank and super strong spindle that is bombproof!

I raced em on my BMX and never had a problem. They make a bottom bracket to fit on mountain bikes and they're solid!

Bommer,
Good advice I forgot about Profile Racing. Yes they do make bombproof stuff.

The strength of the cranks is a consern, but around the bike shop our experience was allways wheel`s. make sure they are plenty strong, we had a lot of pretty good wheels that would not stand up. If you stay with a good crank i think this is the least problem, as i dont see him standing on them anyway.!!!!