Manitowoc's new innovations at bauma included the biggest Potain topless crane, 3 new Grove all-terrain cranes, the mobile Potain Hup self-erecting crane, and 2 Grove rough-terrain cranes.
The new Potain MDT 809, the largest topless crane, marked a significant development from the industry leader. While delivering unprecedented lift capacity and reach, the new crane boasts an advanced design that provides reduced operating costs and easier assembly for owners.
Manitowoc also launched an impressive new unit in the five-axle category and two new three-axle models. With its 78.5 m boom, the GMK5250XL-1 has the longest main boom of any five-axle all-terrain crane and combines that with the best lifting capabilities in the industry. As with all Grove all-terrain cranes it features Megatrak suspension and the Twin-Lock boom pinning system. It is also available with the MAXbase variable outrigger function for added versatility on jobsites.
Another innovation at Manitowoc booth was Potain's first mobile Hup self-erecting crane Hup M 28-22 which is the third model from the groundbreaking Hup self-erecting crane range but the first to prioritize mobility. The new design provides best in class compactness, and a length of only 11.5 m (38 ft) when folded, enabling work in narrow, restricted job sites, as well as making it easy to transport from site to site.
Hup M 28-22 also features the most advanced transport equipment with double steering axles. It has a 28 m jib and features 16 configurations, which is unique to this category of self-erecting cranes, enabling it to be easily adapted for a range of job site applications. The crane has a maximum capacity of 2.2 t and can lift 850 kg (1874 lbs) at its 28 m (92 ft) jib end.
In the three-axle category, the GMK3060L sets new standards of excellence and includes a powerful, seven-section MEGAFORM boom with 48 m of main boom and a maximum tip height of 65 m when working with its full jib. Next in line is the new GMK3050-2, an update of Grove's long-running three-axle GMK3050-1. It offers a 40 m main boom, fast operating speeds and a single counterweight configuration for ease of use. Manitowoc also showed the GMK4090 and the GMK6300L-1, both of which were launched during the past 18 months.
At bauma, Manitowoc also presented Grove rough-terrain cranes - the 100-ton capacity GRT8100 and the 51-ton capacity GRT655L, manufactured at their factory in Niella Tanaro, Italy, and designed to better serve customers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Manitowoc has greatly expanded its service and support offerings; it has released two apps that help crane owners on job sites. The first is the “Manitowoc Diagnostic Code App” that helps users diagnose technical issues with their cranes. The second app is a free “Manitowoc Boom Length Selector App” that helps crane operators and owners to quickly and easily determine the overall boom and jib length combination required for a lift. Manitowoc is the first manufacturer in the crane industry to release a smartphone app of this kind. Manitowoc has also been increasing its telematics capabilities for Potain users. With the Crane Star Diag service, tower crane customers can now access vital crane data from laptops or smartphones.
