ALL TERRAIN CRANES Ӏ FLORIAN PETERS, MANITOWOC
FULLY CHARGED
Florian Peters, senior product manager – AT Cranes, Manitowoc, answers our questions about the new Grove GMK5150L-1e and GMK5150XLe.
What have been the biggest engineering challenges in developing the GMK5150XLe and GMK5150L-1e? When we revealed the GMK4100L-2 in late 2022 it was just a concept, so to advance that to a serial production machine required a lot of intense design and testing. We are actually unveiling a bigger machine than our concept and in two versions: the GMK5150XLe and the GMK5150L-1e. These machines have completed extensive testing to assure the high reliability levels that our customers expect. The cranes also have a more sophisticated design than the concept GMK4100L-2 we showed at Bauma 2022. We have adapted and optimised our assembly processes
to produce the new cranes, and we’ve put in place all the necessary measures to ensure full service and parts for customers. As always, some of the most challenging aspects were in the finer details of the crane. For example, we developed a ‘mature’ battery management system with heating and air conditioning conducted by a super-efficient heat pump. And to make the operation of our new hybrids as easy as
possible, we also integrated a generator into the driveline to allow charging while driving. These might not sound like major challenges, but they actually take a lot of fine-tuning – to precisely program when the battery needs to charge and how much. And the result is a success – an extremely efficient drivetrain which allows great flexibility in charging.
What prompted the upgrade from four axles, as seen on the concept, to five axles as seen on the debut models? There was a hugely positive reaction to the concept GMK4100L-2 hybrid at Bauma 2022. We spoke with many customers from around the world who were keen to make the concept a reality. These discussions also showed us that there was greatest demand for a machine in the 150 tonne category. The Voice of the Customer process is an integral part of our new product development and so naturally our discussions informed the next stages of development.
40 CRANES TODAY There are numerous factors which
make the GMK5150L-1e and the GMK5150XLe the perfect size for this exciting electrification project
How do these plug-in hybrid cranes differentiate themselves from the competition? We can’t comment on what other manufacturers are doing. Our motivation for this project is the needs of our customers, driven through our Voice of the Customer process. We certainly believe we have the best overall hybrid
crane solution. We say this because we offer the flexibility to charge
the battery pack either from the grid (with either AC or DC supplies) or through the built-in generator, removing any concerns customers have about charging infrastructure. So if there is no charging infrastructure at the customer’s depot or on the jobsite, the journey to and from the project can still be used to recharge the 180 kWh battery pack. The battery pack can accommodate a full working day without any compromises in performance. Even if the crane handles several jobs a day, recharging is unlikely to be required at the jobsite. And if grid charging is available at the jobsite, the crane can operate while being charged.
What are the key differentials between the two models? Are they suited to similar or different applications? The difference between the two hybrid models are the same as for the traditional diesel-powered equivalents. So the only differences are in boom and jib length and the hybrid cranes will generally work in the same applications as the diesel models, but then they will also be able to serve environmentally-sensitive jobsites, or projects where noise levels or vehicle emissions need to be restricted, such as in city centres.
Where, globally, will they be available and where do you expect take-up to be greatest? The cranes are being made available in all global markets. But we also see some key markets for these cranes, where there is a stronger focus on low emission cranes.
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