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Manitowoc has introduced the Grove GMK5250L, saying the new all-terrain machine boasts much-improved maneuverability along with the strongest reach and load chart of any five-axle crane.
Built in Manitowoc’s Wilhelmshaven factory in Germany, the 250-ton-capacity GMK5250L features a long 230-foot boom giving it more vertical and horizontal reach than any other crane in its class, Manitowoc says. A 69-foot hydraulic swing-away jib boosts overall reach and can be extended with either a 26-foot boom extension, two 26-foot jib inserts or a combination of both for a total possible jib length of 121 feet.
Manitowoc says the full jib can be operated while the crane is working with the boom fully extended. Plus, the jib offers an increased offset of up to 50 degrees compared to the typical 40-degree offset offered on other Grove cranes in its class. A heavy duty jib is an available option.
The crane is powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM471LA Tier 4 Final engine. The single six-cylinder engine configuration makes for significant fuel savings and pushes 520 horsepower, driving the carrier and powering the superstructure.
Speaking of fuel savings, the GMK5250L’s fuel consumption is estimated at 30 percent below its predecessor, the GMK5220, thanks to the inclusion of a VIAB turbo clutch and integrated retarder.
Manitowoc says this is the first mobile crane to feature VIAB system which “eliminates both fluid overheating and clutch burning, while enabling wear-free starting and braking.” In addition to the fuel savings, the module allows for much greater maneuverability, improving the crane’s ability to start and brake on uneven terrain or with high loads, as well as to maneuver on extreme gradients or brake to a low speed range.
You can see the benefits and capabilities of the VIAB in the awesome explainer video above.
Inside the crane’s superstructure, operators will find Manitowoc’s user-friendly Crane Control System with a new ergonomic jog dial and new joysticks. Also new is the inclusion of the Boom Configurator Mode which makes setting optimal boom positions for specific lifts as easy as inputting lift parameters. The crane takes over from there, calculating the boom position before extending the boom to the required length.
The crane features a 12-ton-per-axle configuration and dimensions for easier roadability. Plus the Gross Vehicle Weight has been reduced from the GMK5220 to allow for more transport options including carrying more equipment on the crane. Once on the jobsite, you don’t have to worry with removing the crane’s 80-ton counterweight as it can be moved with the full counterweight on-board.
