New Grove Plug-in Hybrid all-terrain cranes to star at bauma 2025

• Manitowoc is launching two new Grove hybrid all-terrain cranes, the GMK5150L-1e and GMK5150XLe, at bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany.

• The new cranes feature a fully electrified superstructure combined with Grove’s popular five-axle carrier design for enhanced, cleaner performance.

• The battery pack enables up to 5 hours of emissions-free lifting and can be charged from the grid or an integrated 170 kW generator.

• The cranes can operate for approximately 20 hours when connected to the grid, maintaining the same lifting performance as their diesel counterparts.

• The new models retain the structural integrity and operational benefits of the original long-reach cranes, including the MEGATRAK® suspension system and Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS).

• The hybrid cranes aim to meet stricter environmental requirements in urban and industrial areas, reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution.

• Manitowoc is launching two new Grove hybrid all-terrain cranes; one of the models, the GMK5150XLe, takes center-stage on its booth at bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany.

• The new cranes combine a fully electrified superstructure with one of Grove’s most popular five-axle carrier designs for cleaner, enhanced performance. 

• Up to a full day’s emission-free power is possible while retaining the operational benefits of the original long-reach cranes.  

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The Manitowoc booth will have an electric atmosphere (FS.1202/2) at bauma 2025 as the Company launches its first ever Plug-in Hybrid all-terrain cranes – the Grove GMK5150L-1e and GMK5150XLe. The GMK5150XLe, similar to its sister model, features much of the technology that excited customers three years ago when the GMK4100L-2 hybrid concept was unveiled.

The new models feature the existing 150 t capacity GMK5150L-1 and GMK5150XL cranes combined with a new, fully electrified superstructure resulting in more efficient, quiet, and environmentally friendly lifting operations.

At the heart of the new cranes is a battery pack that enables a solid day’s work as a taxi crane. With around 180 kWh of energy, the Grove Plug-in Hybrid cranes can easily carry out several daily tasks. What makes them especially versatile is their ability to charge the battery from the grid (either AC or DC power supplies) or a 170 kW generator integrated into the carrier. This allows charging while driving and reduces owner concerns about the availability of charging infrastructure. The cranes can even be operated while charging (providing there is infrastructure for this at the jobsite).

The battery pack enables approximately 5 hours of emissions-free lifting.  When the crane is connected to the grid, crane operation can be extended to approximately 20 hours without compromising speed or capacity. This is more than enough functionality for a 150 t taxi crane, and when the day’s work is complete, the batteries are recharged while the crane is driven back to base, ready for the next working day.

“These new Plug-in Hybrid cranes deliver more sustainable lifting and boost owners’ environmental credentials. They can drive to the job site using HVO fuel to power the efficient Mercedes-Benz engine and reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% while simultaneously charging the batteries. Then, they can set up and use clean electricity to handle the lifting tasks. There’s also a massive reduction in noise pollution – a great advantage when operating in a city center,” said Florian Peters, senior product manager for all-terrain cranes at Manitowoc. 

Still as strong and reliable as ever

Notably, adopting this more sustainable power source has no negative impact on lifting performance. Structurally, the 60 m main boom on the Grove GMK5150L-1e and 68.7 m main boom on the GMK5150XLe are identical to the diesel models, as are the load charts. This means the cranes will effortlessly handle their duties in day-to-day business.

With no significant changes to the driveline, the MEGATRAK® independent suspension system with disc brakes is maintained. There’s also Manitowoc’s efficient Crane Control System (CCS) with boom configurator mode and the flexible outrigger positioning system MAXbase™.

“Many cities and industrial sites are placing increasingly strict environmental requirements on machinery, so there is a need to provide customers with options to help them achieve their commercial and environmental goals. We expect a lot of interest in these hybrid cranes and are excited to unveil the GMK5150XLe at bauma 2025,” added Florian Peters.