Grove’s latest generation of cranes in the four-, five- and six-axle categories embody the company’s commitment to bringing versatility and profitability to customers. The past five years have seen a steady succession of introductions of class-leading all-terrain cranes.
Following the success of the GMK6300L and GMK6400 in the six-axle class, three new innovative cranes in the five-axle class followed: the GMK5250L, GMK5200-1 and the GMK5150L. For the four-axle category, a new GMK4100L-1 was introduced, along with the recently released GMK4090.
Today there are hundreds of these cranes around the world, and under the principles of innovation based on The Manitowoc Way, dozens of other new launches are coming. In this article we hear from customers about why they think this current generation of Grove cranes are significant innovations and how their performance helps them improve the return on invested capital in their own businesses.
Sweden
Lambertsson Kran made an “innovation double play” with its purchase of a GMK4100L-1 last year. Not only did the company add the world’s leading four-axle AT crane to its fleet but it also paired it with the Samson K-100 synthetic rope. Manitowoc was the first company to offer the K-100, and this GMK4100L-1 was the first all-terrain crane to feature it.
Lambertsson Kran chose the 100 t (115 USt) GMK4100L-1 for its compact footprint and impressive 60 m (197 ft) boom. Claes Jakobsson, region manager for Lambertsson Kran, said the crane is perfect for urban projects.
“The GMK4100L-1 is a compact crane and ideal for lifting jobs in the city, and in factories with tight working quarters,” he said. “With the K-100, we can reduce the weight of the crane and carry more counterweight, which helps us as we primarily use the Grove crane as a taxi crane to perform lifts in the city of Malmö. The K-100 also makes it easier for the operator to reeve the rope on the jib and hook blocks.”
Australia
As with so many other countries, getting cranes onto the highway in Australia is a headache for owners. Manitowoc has been laser-focused on alleviating this issue, and the result is cranes such as the GMK5150L, which not only travel more easily but also perform better on the job site.
Cranes Combined of Tasmania added a 150 t (175 USt) capacity GMK5150L at the end of 2017, and company co-owner Chris Kolodziej said its ability to travel by road was a key selling-point.
“It’s very light: the weight can be reduced to under 50,000 kg (110,231 lb), which enables it to have much better road access than anything we’ve ever owned,” he said. “In the end, it was an easy decision to upgrade. The GMK5150L is not only easier to move but because it has greater capacity we can use it on a wider range of jobs.”
In addition to offering greater lift power, the GMK5150L also features a 60 m (197 ft) boom.
United States
Raymond Excavating has been buying Grove cranes for the past 50 years and maintains a very close relationship with its local dealer, Walter Payton Power Equipment. The company opted for the GMK5200-1 as one of its latest additions, selecting the crane for its capacity and ability to squeeze into tight spots, as owner and president Dave Burgess explained.
“We count on cranes that can meet our capacity needs while being able to easily travel on regional roads in Michigan,” he said. “The GMK5200-1 delivers on both fronts: its 200 t (240 USt) capacity is plenty for most of our customers’ needs and its mobility allows us to access job sites where other cranes may have a harder time fitting.”
The five-axle unit also features the unique VIAB turbo clutch module, which eliminates fluid overheating and clutch burning, as well as delivering better fuel economy. Other features include interchangeable counterweight slabs, a self-rigging auxiliary hoist and a 64 m (210 ft) boom.
Germany
For Grove’s latest generation of all-terrain cranes, a key motivator for Manitowoc has been bringing greater versatility to customers. German rental company Dornseiff experienced this firsthand when it sent its new GMK5250L to take on an HVAC placement project at a high-rise building. Michel Jaeger, field technician for Dornseiff, explained how the company would previously have used a tower crane for this type of project, but with the GMK5250L, it discovered a new way of working.
“In the past we always chose tower cranes over mobile when working within a confined operational space,” he said. “However, tower cranes were unable to offer the required lifting capacity for this project. Our new Grove GMK5250L, with an added luffing jib extension, was able to complete the lifts and eliminate the logistical expenses of using more than one crane.”
The GMK5250L is a 250 t (300 USt) capacity crane with a class-leading 70 m (230 ft) main boom. Like the GMK5200-1, it features the VIAB turbo retarder.
Bolivia
Grove owners love the profitability and competitive advantage the cranes give them with their ability to handle a wider variety of work. Since launching in 2010, hundreds of GMK6400 cranes have been delivered globally. In Bolivia, the first unit went to transport and logistics company Alanoca. Roberto Alanoca, son of company founder Jorge Roberto Alanoca, said the GMK6400 was the perfect choice to meet growing demand for high-capacity cranes in a wide range of industries.
“We purchased the GMK6400 to provide a robust, reliable machine to our clients,” he said. “We’re seeing an increase in local demand for high-capacity all-terrain cranes that can handle a variety of projects. So far, our customers have been very pleased with the crane and its performance on these job sites.”
The six-axle 400 t (450 USt) capacity GMK6400 offers superior lifting capability. It also includes the unique MegaWingLift capacity-enhancing attachment and MegaDrive hydrostatic drive system.
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