Grove featuring the GMK6400 and GMK6300L atCONEXPO 2014

Manitowoc Cranes is showing two of its largest and most successful Grove all-terrain cranes at CONEXPO 2014: the new Grove GMK6400 and theGMK6300L. Both all-terrain cranes reflect the latest in lifting technology and possess advances not found on other cranes.

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The two all-terrain cranes are appearing at Manitowoc’s booth for the premier construction trade show in Las Vegas, Nev., where some 2,400 exhibitors and 130,000 attendees are attending.

Grove GMK6400

The GMK6400 is one of Grove’s newest offerings and the lifting industry’s most powerful six-axle crane. Its 400 t (450 USt) capacity offers the highest lifting capability of any crane in its class and ithas a variety of cutting-edge features that crane users won’t find anywhere else.

Andreas Cremer, global product director of all-terrain and truck-mounted cranes, said the GMK6400 boasts a variety of upgrades that will help customers increase efficiency, while it remains easy to use.

“We’re very excited to show the GMK6400 at CONEXPO,” he said. “It has the best load chart in its class, a new drive system for the carrier never seen in this size category and a host ofother uniquefeatures that won it the ESTA Innovation awardat bauma 2013 in Munich, Germany – features such as the capacity-enhancing,self-rigging Mega-Wing-Lift attachmentthat can boost the crane’s capacity by almost 70 percent, from 38t to64 t (42 USt to71 USt)at 60 m (197 ft).”

The single engine drive system is one of the most innovative new technologies debuting on the GMK6400 and it drives both the carrier and superstructure. This reduces its overall weight and improves fuel economy. Manitowoc’s engineers reallocated the weight savingsto other parts of the crane’s design, further boosting capacity.

The GMK6400 has afive-section MEGAFORM boom with Twin-Lock pinning that measures 15.4 m – 60 m (51 ft – 197 ft). When paired with the luffing jibthat extends from 25m – 79m (82 ft – 259 ft), the maximum system length reaches 134 m (438 ft). With this setup the crane can perform lifts no other six-axle, or even seven-axle, crane can currently achieve.

Grove also paid particular attention to the crane’s ease of rigging, with a self-rigging auxiliary hoist, removable outrigger box (ROB), counterweight and aself-rigging Mega-Wing-Lift attachment that can be rigged in less than 20 minutes.

Symmetrical counterweight slabs are another feature that make for easy transportability.TheMegaDrivesystem gives the crane both conventional and hydrostatic drive capabilities. Both all-wheel and separate steering of the third to sixth axles provide ultimate maneuverability.

GMK6300L

Also at Manitowoc’s CONEXPO booth is a Grove crane that’s seen global success: the GMK6300L. The 300 t (350 USt) capacity all-terrain crane has won more than 150 customers on five continents thanks to its 80 m (262 ft) boom, the longest in its class.

Cremer said several of the crane’s features have contributed to the success of the GMK6300L. 

“The GMK6300L has been a huge success for Manitowoc, so it’s only fitting that the crane be featured at CONEXPO,” he said. “It’s a versatile crane that’s very mobile, both on and off the job site. It commands a large lifting capacity and long reach, while its compact footprint enables it to fit into tight working quarters.”

The best-in-class reach of the GMK6300L is owed to its seven-section, 80m (262 ft) Twin-Lock boom and Manitowoc’s patented Megaform design for optimized rigidity and capacity. For even further reach, a 37 m (121 ft)hydraulic swing-awayjib is available. At its high reach – a maximum system length of 117 m (384 ft) – the crane can still lift an impressive 2 t (2.2 USt).With very strong load charts,the crane has a 31 percent lifting advantage over other cranes in this class, making the GMK6300L ideal for heavy lifts attall heights.

Grove’s patented Megatrak system provides optimum travel for the GMK6300L, both on and off the road, making it ideal for both rugged job sites and city streets. The all-wheel steered crane has the latest steer-by-wire technology included on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth axle. Its cab can accommodate up to three crew members and has ergonomic positioning of the instruments and controls. It also offers the removable outrigger box (ROB) that can be rigged without an auxiliary crane within 10 minutes.

“All of these features have contributed to the success of the GMK6300L, and it has received such a warm reception from our customers,” Cremer said. “We’re happy to be at CONEXPO 2014 and are confident our Grove all-terrain cranes will be one of the main attractions. We are looking forward to connecting with our customers and showing them these innovative all-terrain cranes.”