At bauma 2019 Manitowoc launched an impressive new unit in the five-axle category and two new three-axle models. Andreas Cremer, global product director for all-terrain cranes at Manitowoc, said the launch of the new models underlines the company's increased speed of product development under The Manitowoc Way and its ongoing commitment to building cranes that offer outstanding return on investment.
"We believe in developing cranes our customers can use in a wider variety of projects for better return on investment," he said. "The GMK5250XL-1 is a great example of how we do that. It's an update to our existing GMK5250L but we've added 8.5 m of boom for more reach, so it can take on more jobs. At the same time we've maintained the class-leading lift performance, maneuverability and fast set-up of the GMK5250L which make it such a popular choice with our customers."
With its 78.5 m boom the GMK5250XL-1 has the longest main boom of any five-axle all-terrain crane and combines that with the best lifting capabilities in the industry. As with all Grove all-terrain cranes it features Megatrak suspension and the Twin-Lock boom pinning system. It is also available with the MAXbase variable outrigger function for added versatility on the jobsite.
Options for the GMK5250XL-1 include the VIAB turbo retarder clutch, which first featured on the original GMK5250L. The VIAB unit enables wear-free starting and braking, enhancing maneuverability and operator comfort. In addition to its high-performance features the crane delivers a compact footprint, making it ideal for use in crowded or urban areas.
Rule of three
In the three-axle category, the GMK3060L sets new standards of excellence and includes a powerful, seven-section MEGAFORM boom with 48 m of main boom and a maximum tip height of 65 m when working with its full jib.
For consistency and control, the 60 t crane features Manitowoc's Crane Control System with boom configurator for fast and efficient set-up. With its compact carrier, the GMK3060L can squeeze into tight locations, again making it a great option for downtown job sites or congested projects.
Next to the GMK3060L is the new GMK3050-2, an update of Grove's long-running three-axle offering, the GMK3050-1. It offers a 40 m main boom, fast operating speeds and a single counterweight configuration for ease of use. It's engine and design have also been updated to meet the latest requirements of Euromot 5 (which also covers both Tier 4 Final and Tier 3 regulations in the U.S. and the rest of the world).
Both the GMK5250XL-1 and GMK3060L offer the most compact footprint in their class, and both have best-in-class load charts when configured in taxi-mode, at 12t per axle.
Besides the three new all-terrain crane models, Manitowoc showed the GMK4090 and the GMK6300L-1, both of which launched within the past 18 months. The GMK4090 launched at the end of 2017, while the GMK6300L-1 was introduced in the first quarter of last year.
The GMK4090 highlights Grove's leadership in the design of ‘taxi cranes' - lightweight and flexible cranes which can be optimized for both travel and lifting depending on user needs. It has a maximum capacity of 90 t, a main boom of 51 m and a maximum tip height of 75 m. The GMK4090 can travel with up to 18.3 t of counterweight, or can transport up to 9.1 t as a single vehicle while configured to less than 12 t per axle.
The GMK6300L-1 is the successor to the hugely-popular GMK6300L. It has a 300 t maximum capacity and a maximum tip height of 120 m when working with its 80 m boom and 37 m of jib. When working with the main boom, it can lift up to 14 t at full height and can handle this from 14 m out to a 28 m radius, making it perfect for tower crane assembly. Power comes from a 430 kW Mercedes Benz (Euromot4/EPA Tier 4 final) engine which features improved fuel economy over its predecessor.
"Grove all-terrain cranes deliver powerful lifting performance, superior off-road mobility and fast highway speeds," concluded Cremer. "They are manufactured using the industry's most stringent lean manufacturing techniques and this delivers a class-leading line-up from 60 t to 450 t."
