Updates and innovation take mobile cranes to new heights

Pair of new rough-terrain cranes add capacity to Grove rough-terrain line

The start of 2022 has brought new additions to the Grove rough-terrain crane line, with two new models broadening the company's offerings in this busy sector. With trends aiming rough-terrain models towards higher capacities and longer booms, buyers are looking for cranes with 80-ton capacity and more, and the GRT8129 and GRT9165 both fit the bill.

These two cranes have been proven through reliability validation and life-cycle testing at the Manitowoc Product Verification Center, and both feature long boom and strong load charts along with intuitive and simple operating systems.

The Grove GRT8120 features what the manufacturer states is the longest boom and strongest load charts in its class, along with a new compact carrier design with flat decking for improved maneuverability, serviceability and job site access. Combined, these features make the crane ideal for work in the petrochemical, construction, and wind power industries, among others.

Based largely off the success of the GRT8100, the GRT8120 has a capacity of 120 US tons (120 tonnes) and a 197-foot (60-m) main boom with a 265-foot (80.8-m) max height when equipped with the 57.6-foot (17.6-m) bi-fold swingaway extension that comes in either manual or hydraulically offsettable configurations. Also new to the GRT8120 is the MAXbase asymmetrical outrigger system for ultimate versatility in job site set-ups. This feature, combined with the lightweight, compact carrier and long boom, make this crane ideal for congested job sites that require maximum reach. A new, wider, full-vision cab with 20-degree tilt maximizes operator comfort and visibility. From an operational perspective, the GRT8120 features the Boom Configurator mode that simplifies telescoping of the boom and provides on-board lift planning.

"Many of our customers wanted to fill a void in the 120-ton class, and also increase their crane utilization with easier transportability, greater reach and capacity, and improved access for serviceability," said John Bair, Grove's product manager for rough-terrain cranes. "We were able to accomplish this through an all-new carrier design along with several other new features debuting on this crane."

The crane has a full LED lighting package with new side-mounted carrier work lights, and the design improves upon previous crane models with increased storage and improved accessibility for servicing. Compact dimensions and lightweight gross vehicle weight will mean the crane is easy to transport, needs minimal job site preparation and provides exceptional maneuverability. On the job site, it has a 15 mph (24.1 km/h) travel speed with full counterweight.

"For the GRT8120 we were also able to add smart sensing outrigger cylinders in lieu of string pots that, along with nearly every component on the crane, were tested well past industry standards at our Product Verification Center to ensure reliability on the job site," Bair said. "We've also added a wireless, handheld rigging remote for quick and easy set-up on site. And of course, this crane is outfitted with the CCS Crane Control System that improves efficiency and reduces training time."

The GRT9165 has the longest reach and highest capacity of any model in Grove's rough-terrain lineup along with a variety of features to improve efficiency. A 165 US ton (150 tonne) crane, the GRT9165 has a 205-foot (62.5 m) six-section pinned boom, and is designed for easy transport with an overall transport height of 12.4 feet (3.7 m).

Four steering modes increase maneuverability and facilitate crane positioning. Grove's new wider, full-vision cab maximizes the operator's comfort and visibility. The new cab also features a standard three-camera package for additional awareness on the job site as well as the ability to tilt the cab up to 20 degrees.

The GRT9165 offers a 205-foot (62.5 m) six-section MEGAFORM boom with a TWINLOCK pinning system. A manual or hydraulic bifold swingaway jib with offsets of up to 50 degrees improves reach over obstacles and increases job site versatility.

New power unit adds diesel or electric option to Liebherr mobile crane

Liebherr's LTC 1050-3.1 mobile crane can now be equipped with an electric power unit which allows the machine to operate on either diesel or electric power.

The new alternative LTC 1050-3.1 features a conventional low-emission internal combustion engine that complies with Stage V emissions standards and generates 326 bhp (243 kW) of power. It can be fuelled with hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) with no restrictions, allowing it to cut CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent compared to fuelling with diesel.

To run electrically, the crane can be equipped with Liebherr's new power unit, which allows the crane to operate with nearly the same performance as a six-cylinder engine. The electric motor uses the existing hydraulic pump, mounted directly on the powershift transmission on the conventional LTC 1050-3.1, to transfer power to the consumers in the crane superstructure.

The electric motor and a distributor gear, along with the required control equipment, must be added to the conventional LTC 1050-3.1 model to equip it for electric use. A site current of 125 A is required to achieve full performance, but the unit can also operate on a 63 A supply. Alternatively, the crane can operate using an external conventional battery pack if the site does not have electrical infrastructure.

Liebherr supplies the electric model of the LTC 1050-3.1 for the version with a 36-m TELEMATIK telescopic boom. The RemoteDrive option for remote-control driving and a height-adjustable elevating cab are also available for the new crane.

Liebherr is currently putting the electric power unit prototype through intensive testing and is targeting delivery of the first models in 2023.

Grove has introduced two new rough-terrain machines, including the GRT9165