Manitowoc extends GHC crane range
27 February 2017
Manitowoc will launch the latest addition to its line of Grove Hydraulic Crawler (GHC) cranes, the Grove GHC30, at the forthcoming ConExpo trade show in Las Vegas.
The new 30 tonne capacity crane is the smallest in the GHC line and Manitowoc says its compact dimensions offer exceptional manoeuvrability and efficiency for a wide range of applications.
The new model will be, as with previous models in the series, offered exclusively in North and Latin America as part of a long-term strategic partnership between Manitowoc and German crane manufacturer Sennebogen. The launch follows consultation by Manitowoc with its dealers and customers. As a result, Manitowoc realised a smaller crane with a wider range of applications would meet many of its customers’ needs.
According to John Bair, Manitowoc GHC product manager, “Customers that are engaged in utility, energy, construction and barge-mounted work, for example, indicated that a crane with a smaller footprint would help them increase manoeuvrability and efficiency on many job sites.”
The GHC30 offers the ability to pick-and-carry at 100 percent of its load chart on inclinations up to four degrees, and it can swing loads 360 degrees. It has a compact footprint of 10.6 x 3 x 3 metres, and a tail swing radius of 3.3 m. This means that it can work on job sites with reduced access and in tighter working quarters that require precise movement.
It has a three-section 25.2 m telescoping boom. Operators can handle a wide range of lifts at various radii without setting up on outriggers like traditional hydraulic boom cranes. Manitowoc said this saves time on the job and provides a better return on investment for the customer.
The company also said that the GHC30’s crawler tracks mean it can easily navigate tough conditions, for example, swampy or mountainous terrain. The track side frames can be hydraulically extended and retracted to offer three track spans with lifting capabilities at each span. This, according to Manitowoc, offers added versatility enabling users to find the best combination of crane width and lifting capacity.
For efficiency the crane can be transported in one load on the back of a truck and requires minimal setup. In-cab amenities include: a large, air suspension heated seat; a climate control system; a seven-inch screen for viewing the hoist, rear, and right side camera feeds; an intuitive RCL system; and load-sensing joystick controls. A 15-degree tilting cab is another added benefit that Manitowoc said is rarely seen on cranes in this capacity class, providing added comfort when doing high-boom angle work.
The telecrawler comes with a choice of two engines: a 173 hp Cummins QSB 4.5 L Tier 4 Final or a 160 hp Tier 3 model. ECO and Auto Idle modes help maximise fuel efficiency.
Attachments available include an offsettable, swing away boom extension in lengths from 6.5 to 13 m. With this fitted the maximum tip height is 40.2 m. In addition, a two-person work platform, a boom-mounted hydraulic auger attachment, and a pole claw are also available.
According to Manitowoc, this will be suitable for companies working on power line projects, as they will be able to drill holes with the auger and then use the claw to lift and position the poles with only one crane. This helps contractors keep overall project costs to a minimum as they no longer need multiple pieces of equipment.
Bair concludes, “We’re seeing the popularity of this style of crane grow in North and Latin America due to its manoeuvrability and versatility, and the addition of the GHC30 should further this trend.”
