Manitowoc Cranes will introduce a host of products, from the new Grove rough-terrain crane, the GRT8100, which features class-leading capabilities and Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS); to three Grove all-terrain cranes, the GMK 4100 L-1, the GMK 5250L and the GMK 6400. In addition, there will be a crane from the completely new range of MDT CCS tower cranes.
The GRT8100 represents a generational update to the popular RT890E model and the features of new grove rough-terrain deliver a better return on investment to owners.
The 90t Grove GRT8100 has been designed to reach 47m boom that has a maximum tip height of 49m. With a full complement of boom extension and insert options, the crane has bestin- class reach up to 77m. The boom is lighter and longer than its predecessor, but has the ability to lift heavier loads throughout the load chart.
With offsettable boom and fly extensions, the crane enables customers to lift heavier loads to greater heights, helping companies compete for and win bids for projects they may not have been able to previously.
The GRT8100 will be the only crane in its class to offer a hydraulic luffing boom extension that can be configured to 10m to 17m lengths.
Comparing with previous generation Grove cranes, a new boom extension stowage system for the GRT8100’s hydraulic and jib options decreases erection and stowage time by 60%. This enables operators to set up and disassemble the crane in less time, saving money and increasing return on investment, the company says.
The GRT8100 will also have best-inclass line pulls at 7,883 kg on both the main and the auxiliary hoists which will lead to increased productivity on the job site and faster customer payback.
Mike Herbert, global product director of rough-terrain cranes at Manitowoc says: "The GRT8100 will surely increase ROI for customers as it has a longer boom that is able to lift heavier loads."
In addition, the crane has Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS) which is a user-friendly interface that Manitowoc is introducing on all new rough-terrain crane models, crawler cranes, all-terrain cranes, boom trucks and tower cranes. An updated cab also includes a new ergonomic jog dial and new joysticks.
The intuitive nature of CCS allows operators to more quickly set up their cranes and get to work. The CCS system also offers the new ECO mode feature to improve fuel efficiency and decrease wear and tear on the powertrain and hydraulic systems.
Manitowoc will show four Grove GMK all-terrain cranes, including three new models: the 250t capacity GMK5250L, the 100t capacity GMK4100L-1 and the best-selling 400t capacity GMK6400.
Features of these cranes include the pioneering use of a single-engine design with Fuel Saver function; the Megadrive hydrostatic drive; and the self-rigging, capacity-enhancing MegaWingLift have redefined the standards of excellence in the industry.
The new GMK4100L-1 uses a single engine versus the previous twoengine design and therefore the crane is able to carry more counterweight, delivering superior lifting ability. The company says the GMK4100L-1 offers the best load charts in this class when configured with its full complement of counterweight.
In addition, customers in North America can benefit from the crane’s fully removable counterweight because it brings the basic crane’s Gross Vehicle Weight down to the lowest level in the four-axle category for a 100t rated machine.
The Grove GMK5250L offers several innovations, for example the inclusion of the VIAB turbo clutch module, which eliminates fluid overheating, and clutch burning and delivers wear-free starting and braking. It also contributes to fuel savings, which for the GMK5250L are up to 30% lower than that of its predecessor, the GMK5220. The company says that GMK5250L represents the strongest long-boom five-axle machine on the market. Features include compact dimensions and a maximum outrigger width of only 7.8m, allowing the crane to get into the tightest job sites.
The main boom is an impressive 70m, and boosting overall reach is a 21m hydraulic swing-away jib that can be extended with either an 8m boom extension, two 8m jib inserts.
The company says the compact Grove GMK5250L offers excellent roadability with its 12t per axle configuration and dimensions suited to global roading requirements.
In order to meet a strict requirement for North America, special attention has been paid to the appropriate axle group spacing. The GMK6400, which received an Innovation Award from the European crane and transport association at Bauma 2013, will be in the colors of French rental giant, Mediaco in the next edition.
The 400t capacity GMK6400 represents the strongest crane on six axles and its fast rigging times, optimized transportation logistics and fuel economy make it cheaper to run, the company says. Its single engine design and focus on strength enable it to deliver lifting skills more commonly associated with seven-axle or eight-axle cranes.
In addition, GMK6400 can combine traditional and hydrostatic drive capabilities thanks to a new design innovation, the crane’s MegaDrive that gives the crane control when maneuvering at slow speeds on job sites.
It only functions when the crane is traveling at speed of below 20 km per hour, exceeding this limit MegaDrive disengages and the crane moves with a traditional transmission.
Lifting capacity is also optimized through the inclusion of MegaWingLift, Grove’s patented tensioning system that can raise the strength of the crane while the boom is working at a steep angle.
Manitowoc will exhibit three of its most advanced Potain tower cranes, the MDT 389, the MDT 219 and the MR 418 luffing jib crane.
The MDT 389 represents the largest in the new line of topless cranes from Potain, all of which are equipped with Manitowoc’s Crane Control System which helps users in the ergonomic control and improved lifting capacity. The MDT 389 is well suited to crowded job sites where space is tight and multiple cranes are needed, as their design allows more cranes to over-swing in smaller areas.
Features of the MDT 389 includes a Manitowoc’s CraneSTAR set-up, a GSM data transfer system that provides information on crane location and operation, supporting fleet management. There are two versions of the Potain MDT 389, one with a 12 t maximum capacity and the other with a 16 t maximum capacity.
From Potain there will also be the MDT City line, which includes the MDT 219 which comprises two versions: one with an 8t maximum capacity and another one with a 10t maximum capacity.
For the MDT 219, the inclusion of CCS gives the crane a load chart advantage of up to 12.5 percent over the MDT 218 A, the equivalent pre-CCS topless city crane from Potain. The load chart advantage is boosted by an additional 7.2 percent when the crane is operated in Potain Plus mode, which uses CCS to limit the dynamic effects of load movements.
Manitowoc will also show two new crane operator elevator solutions, developed in partnership with Alimak Hek.
The company says these solutions provide fast and efficient transportation for the operator to and from the cab, meeting the highest level of regulations, as well.
One of the solutions, CabLIFT, is exclusive to Potain cranes and this system is fitted on the MDT 219. Its design is slender enough to fit inside all K-mast systems from Potain, which come in three widths: 1.6 m, 2.0 m and 2.45 m.
It is also compatible with all tower crane bases, fixing angles, chassis and cross-shaped bases. The other operator elevator solution is TCL, an externally mounted system. Both systems will be commercially available for Bauma.
The Potain MR 418 represents the first in an updated line of luffing jib cranes introduced in 2014, each of which is equipped with full frequencycontrolled mechanisms for precision control. Maximum capacity for the crane is 24t and the maximum jib length is 60 m.
The crane delivers its best performance when fitted with the optional 270 LVF 120 hoist, which offers industry-leading lifting capability and is perfect for power plants or high-rise buildings, including tall structures. The 200 kW hoist provides 826 m of rope capacity which means that in a single-fall configuration a hook path of 826 m is possible. In addition, the winch can reach speeds of up to 254 m/min for better productivity, while the power control function means it can operate off varying power inputs, allowing it to cope with lower power supplies on site.
