Manitowoc Crane Group  

Manitowoc is offering two new Grove all-terrain cranes in the six-axle category. The GMK6300L and GMK6400 were launched at bauma 2010, held April 19 - 25, 2010 in Munich, Germany. Manitowoc expects each crane will set new standards in the industry in performance and productivity.

Neil Hollingshead, global product director for all-terrain cranes and rough-terrain cranes at Manitowoc, said launching the two cranes was a continuation of the product development strategy at Manitowoc. Both cranes were developed with strong input from customers around the world.

“In recent years, we’ve followed a careful strategy to offer optimal products in the all-terrain segments,” he said. “Our philosophy with our six-axle cranes is the same — we focus on applications and offering the right crane for the job. We decided to develop two individual cranes instead of a single model that covers two segments, which would have been a compromise solution.”

Although targeting different applications, the new six-axle cranes have common features. Both have a new carrier cab that offers more space and greater visibility. The cab is similar to the cab introduced on Grove’s four- and five-axle cranes. However, this cab has wider dimensions to suit the larger carrier. Both cranes also have five outrigger settings for maximum job site positioning flexibility.

Grove GMK6300L
The Grove GMK6300L will be the first of the new six-axle cranes to arrive in the market and the first models arrive with customers later in 2010. It will be an ideal general rental crane that is easy to move and fast to set up. The long boom makes it best for jobs such as lifting materials onto tall buildings in city centers, erecting tower cranes or chimney work.

Michael Preikschas, senior regional product manager for all-terrain cranes at Manitowoc, said customers will also notice the crane’s many other beneficial features aside from the long boom.

“We think customers will see the thought and development put into GMK6300L that makes it a complete crane package,” he said. It’s a powerful lifter in all areas of the chart, while optimal axle spacings, easier counterweight set up, a 37 m hydraulic luffing jib and the self-rigging auxiliary hoist bring innovation and efficiency improvements to many areas of this crane. There is a lot more to this crane than long boom.”

The GMK6300L has axle spacings of 3.2 m between the first pair and 2.5 m between the second pair, both of which are over 8 ft in U.S. imperial measurements. The crane meets requirements for roading in many markets, especially in the U.S. where axle spacings are crucial for transportation. Counterweight slabs are easier to handle, at a weight less than 10 t, and the auxiliary hoist is self-rigging, eliminating the need for lifting assistance.

Grove GMK6400
The GMK6400 goes for capacity and offers the strongest available all-terrain crane on six axles. The heavy duty crane boasts a number of design features that give it its excellent lifting capabilities. It is perfect for a variety of heavy lift activity including work in power stations, refineries, bridge building and ports, as well as in general construction.

Michael Preikschas said the Mega Wing Lift attachment on the crane is a major contribution to strength.

“There are a number of innovations on the GMK6400,” he said. “Perhaps the most significant is the self-rigging Mega Wing Lift capacity enhancing attachment. But others, such as the use of a single engine and the MegaDrive hybrid drive system offer advantages too.”

The Mega Wing Lift offers better lift duties by providing extra structural support to the boom. It also has a patented self-rigging system. By using only one engine, the crane is able to offer better fuel savings than cranes that use two engines. And its MegaDrive system gives better traction when moving at slow speeds and also offers a 400 kg weight saving weight that is better positioned elsewhere in the crane for a stronger lifting performance. 

Grove GMK6300L