Manitowoc will present seven Grove mobile cranes, the largest of which will be the Grove GMK6400-1 all-terrain crane. Like its predecessor GMK6400, the new GMK6400-1 has a maximum capacity of 400t and a main boom of 60m. Manitowoc has packed the GMK6400-1 with new features including an improved hydraulic system with faster flow to provide quicker operating speeds and smoother movement. The machine is equipped with Manitowoc‘s crane control system (CCS) and Maxbase variable outrigger positioning system.
The new engine on the GMK6400-1 conforms to the latest requirements for both Tier 4 final emissions standards and Euromot 5. The efficiency of driving both on and off-road is improved with a best-in-class driveline that features a Megatrak suspension system and Megadrive hydrostatic drive.
As with the original GMK6400, the new GMK6400-1 includes the optional capacity-enhancing MegaWingLift, the self-rigging attachment which can be deployed in less than 20 minutes and does not require an assist crane. The MegaWingLift increases lift capacity by up to 70% on the main boom and by up to 400% when using the luffing jib. It makes the crane well-suited to applications such as bridge construction, wind farm work, or tower crane assembly. Manitowoc expects the crane to become popular in infrastructure, general construction, energy, and industrial projects.
The maximum tip height for the GMK6400-1 is 136 m when fitted with its jib. Like the GMK6400, the GMK6400-1 can take on jobs that usually require a seven-axle (or eight-axle) crane but inside a smaller overall footprint. With MegaWingLift, the all-terrain crane that can lift up to 64 t on its 60m main boom.
New models from Potain include a luffing jib crane and topless crane; the specifications of the two models will be revealed at the show. Other Potain cranes on display will be the MDT 489 topless crane and the Igo T 99 and Hup M 28-22 self-erecting cranes. Making its first appearance at a public tradeshow since its 2021 launch, the Potain MDT 489 is suited to construction and infrastructure projects, especially the installation of large, prefabricated components, as well as for shipyards and mines with heavy loads to handle. It is available in two versions: one with a 20 t maximum capacity and the other with a 25 t maximum capacity. Both can work with up to 80 m of jib for broad coverage and reach. The Potain Igo T 99 telescopic self-erecting crane will also make its international show debut having launched last year. The crane offers a 6 t maximum capacity, 48 m reach, and 38.5 m height under hook. It features compact transport dimensions, a small working footprint, and two options for unfolding, for greater flexibility on constricted jobsites.
Manitowoc will also unveil a telematics platform, named Connect, for Grove and Potain cranes. Connect enables remote monitoring through an app-based system that gives owners and operators the ability to view real-time crane information, receive alerts and exchange data. The new platform will be introduced initially on Potain tower cranes and Grove all-terrain cranes. The company plans to add other product lines and brands in due course.
Grove Connect will initially be available on GMK all-terrain cranes produced from 2023. It will be offered on all new models and available to retrofit on cranes equipped with the CCS control system. Benefits include optimized troubleshooting due to the real-time availability of crane information. This allows remote technicians to quickly understand the status of the crane, with any error codes displayed through the app. The remote service team can then run root cause analysis and propose potential solutions without the delay of travel or on-site physical assistance. Business intelligence, too, is improved. With simplified and expanded insight into fleet usage, crane owners can adjust their operations to make optimum use of resources or strengthen preventative maintenance programmes.
Potain Connect will be offered as an option on new top-slewing and self-erecting cranes. In addition, it can be retrofitted on all CCS-equipped cranes. With extensive capabilities available through Connect, Potain will discontinue production of its older CraneStar Diag tool.
Potain Connect offers seamless integration between remote diagnostics, advanced analytics, and fleet management to help owners significantly increase fleet utilization while increasing uptime. On the jobsite, technicians and others can use local Wifi to link to the crane via Connect. This allows them to easily see the operating system and review performance data.
In the future, Manitowoc plans to enable Potain Connect to be embedded into the building information management (BIM) model for a project and allow the creation of digital twins of the crane. This functionality will deliver better optimization, site planning, monitoring, and materials flow on the jobsite, boosting building speed and quality.