FLORIAN PETERS, MANITOWOC Ӏ ALL TERRAIN CRANES
What applications do you expect the cranes to be used for? There is obviously strong potential for them to operate as taxi cranes, handling a variety of tasks. The 150 tonne class of cranes serves all kinds of applications, from the erection of small tower cranes to satellite dish installations to general construction or installing HVAC systems on high-rise buildings. The cranes can also work in industrial settings, such
as refineries or chemical plants. The GMK5150L-1e and GMK5150XLe fit perfectly wherever compactness and reach are needed.
And then with their zero-emissions operations, the cranes
are also able to take on environmentally-sensitive jobs or work where lower emissions or noise levels are important.
How long does it take to fully charge the battery using the different charging options? When connected to a DC fast charger it takes around an hour to reach a full state of charge. If the internal generator is being used for charging it also takes around an hour to get to 100% charge. We should also note that the crane’s diesel engine can also be run on HVO fuel, which offers CO2 emissions reductions of up to 90% compared with traditional diesel fuels. When connected to 400V/32A power supply, the battery pack can charge overnight and be at 100% by the next morning. The crane can also work while charging with no impact on performance. With a full battery pack and if connected to the grid with a 32A supply, the crane can work for around 20 hours emissions-free. This kind of performance ensures the crane can handle all tasks in a day on even the most demanding jobsites.
What is the expected on-board battery lifespan? And how does maintenance compare to traditional diesel models? The expected lifespan is comparable to modern electric cars, so even after ten years, the capacity should still be above 80% which is still a high level. In terms of maintenance, customers can expect to make
savings as the diesel engine will not run as much as on a conventional crane as the idling phases can be eliminated which increases overall lifespan.
Where on the chassis is the battery system located? Do the batteries comprise part of the counterweight system? The batteries are located on the superstructure. But the density of cast iron is much higher than that of batteries, so it’s not a straight swap. We also had to adjust the design to ensure easy access to all components, for example the auxiliary hoist which is needed during rigging.
How future-proof are the cranes? For example, can the batteries be swapped out or upgraded, if ever required? This is something we spent much time exploring during product development. Unlike the GMK4100L-2 concept, we had to create a serial production crane capable of delivering many years of productive service. We also factored in that the crane
will most likely enjoy a second life, and in this phase of its lifespan the hybrid drive may be less important. So that’s why we also ensured it can always run on the internal diesel engine as every other crane does, and without any compromise on performance.
Can the crane operate effectively in extreme weather conditions, such as very cold or hot climates? This was one of the major questions asked by our customers and it’s certainly something we have factored into the design, not only for operation but also for stowage, start-up, and while driving. We have a heating and air conditioning system which keeps the battery in good condition, and which operates independently of the standard heater and AC. We did this to ensure there is never a conflict in priority between the battery and the operator.
Tell us about crane testing: has it been used on a jobsite yet? The crane has been undergoing test programmes at several jobsites but the superstructure testing is primarily being done at our own Product Verification Center at our factory in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The testing has been progressing to plan with excellent results.
How easy will it be for crane operators transitioning to hybrid models? What kind of training or support will be available? It was important to us and our customers that operating the crane would not require any additional training. So an operator who can run a GMK5150XL can also operate the GMK5150XLe. It’s that simple. Of course, for the service technicians there needs to be additional training around how to maintain the new electrical, high voltage part of the crane. Understanding this was one of the reasons we decided to only have one electric motor to drive the hydraulic system, so maintaining the hydraulics requires no additional training as the system is the same as on the traditional diesel versions of the crane.
How do these cranes fit into Manitowoc’s long-term strategy for electrification and sustainability? This is an exciting step forward for our all-terrain crane product line towards greater electrification. There will be more to come in the future.
Have you had any feedback from customers about the new cranes yet or is the debut at Bauma 2025 the first time the industry will see them? The cranes have their public debut at Bauma, but we are in very close contact with key customers and have demonstrated the cranes to several interested customers. At Manitowoc we believe that customer involvement is the key to successful product development. Understanding customer expectations through our Voice of the Customer programme and implementing the findings into our product development is crucial for us.
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