CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
MAY 2014
16
LIFTING
M
anitowoc Cranes has introduced two
of its largest and most successful
Grove all-terrain cranes, the new
Grove GMK6400 and the GMK6300L. Both
all-terrain cranes reflect the latest in lifting
technology and possess advances not found
on other cranes.
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 it has 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 claims
that GMK6400 boasts a variety of upgrades
that will help customers increase efficiency,
while remaining easy to use.
“We’re very excited to introduce the
GMK6400,” he said. “It has the best load
chart in its class, a drive system for the
carrier never seen in this size category and
a host of other features that won it the ESTA
Innovation award at bauma 2013 in Munich,
Germany – features such as the capacity-
enhancing, self-rigging Mega-Wing-Lift
attachment that can boost the crane’s
capacity by almost 70 percent, from 38 t
to 64 t (42 USt to 71 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 savings to other parts of the crane’s
design, further boosting capacity.
The GMK6400 has a five-section
MEGAFORM
boom
with
Twin-Lock
pinning that measures 15.4 to 60 m (51
to 197 ft). When paired with the luffing
jib that extends from 25 to 79 m (82 to
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 a self-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. The MegaDrive system
gives the crane both conventional and
hydrostatic drive capabilities. All-wheel and
separate steering of the third to sixth axles
provide ultimate maneuverability.
GMK6300L
Also introduced by Manitowoc 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 believes that several of the crane’s
Grove features the
GMK6400 AND GMK6300L
features have contributed to the success of
the GMK6300L.
“The GMK6300L has been a huge success
for Manitowoc,” 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, 80 m (262 ft)
Twin-Lock boom and Manitowoc’s patented
Megaform design for optimised rigidity
and capacity. For even further reach, a
37 m (121 ft) hydraulic swing-away jib 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 at tall 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 a
removable outrigger box (ROB) that can be
rigged without an auxiliary crane within 10
minutes.
b
“The GMK6300L has
been a huge success for
Manitowoc.”
