Grove 250-Tonne GMK5250XL-1 and GMK5250L All-Terrain Cranes Team Up For Concrete Beams Installation
German crane and transport services provider Merkel Autokrane recently used 250-tonne (275-U.S.-t) Grove GMK5250XL-1 and GMK5250L all-terrain cranes in tandem to install a series of precast concrete beams for a multi-storey parking lot construction project near Bamberg, Germany. Existing underground utility lines at the worksite ruled out using a larger crane. The Grove machines used instead are two of four from the brand in the Merkel Autokrane fleet, the others being a 90-t (99-U.S.-t) GMK4090 and a 150-t (165-U.S.-t) GMK5150L.
“With plenty of strength and reach, these five-axle units handled the project’s challenges with ease,” says Dieter Popp, regional sales manager for Grove parent company Manitowoc. “Also, with our CCS (Crane Control System), operators can use the joysticks to carry out fine movements with closer control, which was a valuable feature on a technically demanding tandem lift such as this.”
Precise Positioning
The parking garage in question is for one of the world’s largest online retailers of musical instruments and comprises two basement and three above-ground levels. Using the Grove cranes together, Merkel Autokrane placed all the beams, which measured 16 metres (52.5 feet) long and weighed 13 t (14.3 U.S. t), in just one day. To manage the beams’ weight, Merkel Autokrane equipped each crane with 80 t (88 U.S. t) of counterweight. The GMK5250XL-1 performed lifting at a 39-m (128-ft) radius and the GMK5250L at a 46-m (151-ft) radius.
Outstanding Features
With a 78.5-m (257.5-ft) telescoping Twin-Lock boom that’s extendable to 109 m (358 ft) with a jib plus inserts, the GMK5250XL-1 has the longest main boom in its class, Manitowoc says. In addition, the crane’s Mercedes OM471LA EUROMOT 5 engine is designed to use up to 30% less fuel compared to previous-generation models. The GMK5250L, meanwhile, has a 70-m (230-ft) main boom. In addition to fast set-up times and the capability to lift up to 28-t (31-U.S.-t) loads at a 22-m (72.2-ft) radius, Manitowoc says the crane provides best-in-class manoeuvrability due to its patented Megatrak suspension.
The GMK5250XL-1 & GMK5250L
The GMK5250XL-1, which has an eight-section main boom, and the GMK5250L, which has a seven-section one, are the first all-terrain cranes to use a VIAB turbo retarder clutch module, Manitowoc says. Also used by heavy-duty trucks, the module provides such benefits as wear-free starting and braking and no overheating or burning. Additionally, it provides about 30% savings in fuel consumption over the Grove GMK5275. It’s also worth mentioning that operators can move both cranes on the jobsite with a full 80-t counterweight load, obviating the need to unload the counterweight and then re-load it once the cranes are moved. Both cranes also include Manitowoc’s CraneStar crane-asset management system that allows for remote monitoring.
Find Your Next Grove Crane
CraneTrader.ae is the industry’s leading source for new and used Grove cranes for sale, including Grove all-terrain cranes like GMK5250 models.
Source: Manitowoc