Manitowoc Crane Group including Grove and Potain (preview)

Grove will display three new all-terrain cranes – the GMK2035E, GMK4080-1, and GMK5220.

Largest of the new models is the five-axle GMK5220 (GMK5275 in the US. New in the four-axle category is the GMK4080-1 (GMK4100 in the US), which has an 80t (100USt) capacity rating, and a six-section 51m (167ft) main boom (see page 16).

The third new AT at Intermat is the GMK2035E, an updated version of the company’s 35t (39.2USt) GMK2035. The GMK2035E has the same 35t (39.2USt) maximum capacity rating, and 29m (95ft) main boom. However, it also makes use of rigid axles with hydrogas, and a manually offset jib (as opposed to the hydraulic luffing jib on the GMK2035), with the hydraulic luffing jib available as an option. Elsewhere, the crane boasts the ECOS electronic control system and EKS 5 Light load monitoring system.

Grove will also show its rough-terrain crane products now being built at the MCG facility in Niella Tanaro, Italy. On display will be an RT530E built in Italy.

Manitowoc’s Model 16000 crawler crane will make its European debut at Intermat 2006 following its introduction in America and Asia last year. The Model 16000 boasts a maximum lift capacity of 400t (440USt) and a maximum heavy-lift main boom reach of 96m (315ft).

The 16000’s maximum combination of main boom and luffing jib is 132m (432ft), using an optional luffing jib of 84m (276ft). According to Manitowoc, one of the crane’s most popular features is an optional 95t (105 USt), pin-on upper boom point, designed for applications such as wind turbine erection (see also page 53).

With the MAX-ER attachment, Manitowoc says, the Model 16000’s reach increases to 120m (394ft) of main boom or 84m (276ft) of main boom with an additional 84m (276ft) of luffing jib.

Drum performance has a line pull of 15.8t (35,000lb) and hoist speeds of up to 212m/min (697 ft/min) are available on the main drum. Two optional auxiliary drums offer with line pulls of 15.8t (35,000lb) and 13.6t (30,000lb), respectively, and corresponding line speeds of 173 m/min (570ft/min) and 127m/min (417ft/min).

Potain will exhibit three self-erecting cranes, and two top slewing cranes. The company also plans to show the new Dialog Wind Igo and Top Zone operating technologies.

The new Igo 22, which comes with a 26m (85ft) or 28m (92ft) jib, has a maximum capacity of 1.8t (2USt). The 26m (85ft) version has a maximum capacity of 1t (1.1USt) at its maximum radius. The maximum capacity of the 28m (92ft) version is 850kg (1,875lb) at its maximum radius.

As with other cranes in the range, the Igo 22 features Potain’s LVF Optima frequency-controlled hoisting, said to offer exceptional speeds and increased productivity. Four indicators (which monitor radius, height, load, and moment) are located on the transmitter box.

The Igo 11, meanwhile, has a maximum capacity of 1.3t (1.4USt), and a jib of 18m (59ft). It can lift up to 650kg (1,433lb) at its jib end, and has a 16m (52ft) height under hook.

Dialog Wind Igo and Top Zone are both available on all Igo models from the Igo 12 and above. The Dialog Wind Igo, which monitors wind speeds, sounds a pre-alarm if speeds increase above 50km/h (31mph) and a fixed alarm when speeds exceed 72km/h (48mph). Top Zone, is an optional extra for the remote control to prevent cranes over-flying.

From its top-slewing tower crane range, Potain will show the MD 238A, and the MDT 98 from the MDT. The MD 238A comes in two versions – the J10 with a 10t (11USt) maximum capacity, and the J12 with a 12t (13USt) maximum capacity. The crane has nine jib lengths up to 67.5m (221ft) and two mast options, either 1.6m by 1.6m (5ft by 5ft) or 2m by 2m (6.6ft by 6.6ft). The J12 version can handle up to 2.15t (2.4USt) at its maximum jib point, while the J10 version can handle up to 2.2t (2.4USt) at the same radius.

There are three mast lengths – 3.3m (10.8ft), for adjusting the hook height in small increments; 5m (16.4ft), which is the standard length used with the telescopic mast system; and 10m (32.8ft), which is a longer section. A choice of mechanisms is offered with LVF Optima (variable frequency) hoists from 22kW (30hp) to 55kW (75hp) for the J10, and from 37kW (50hp) to 75kW (100hp) for the J12.

Also on show at Intermat is the MDT 98, which Potain introduced just over a year ago. It has a maximum capacity of 6t (6.6USt). Maximum jib length is 55m (180ft) while the maximum tip load for the crane is 1.2t (1.3USt). The MDT 98 has two mast options allowing it to be mounted on either 1.2m by 1.2m (3.9ft by 3.9ft) or 1.6m by 1.6m (5ft by 5ft) sections.

Among the new products from Manitowoc Crane CARE is a camera designed for mounting on tower cranes. Potain will mount the camera on one of the tower cranes on the stand, and allow visitors to control and operate it from inside the booth.