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| Grove truck-mounted crane proves popular down under  Grove GBT35 truck-mounted cranes continue to increase in popularity and 10 units are scheduled to be working in Australia and New Zealand in 2013, with more expected to arrive over the course of the year. The crane's growing popularity in Australasia is due to its superior performance as a 35 t truck crane featuring a rugged and reliable carrier, which means long journeys between job sites – typical in Australia and New Zealand – are safe, comfortable and fast. Truck cranes up to 50 t have long been popular in Australasia, but in recent years customers have been unhappy with many models introduced to the market. Grove's GBT35 offers a perfect solution with many added benefits, as Robert Carden, director of TRT, Manitowoc's New Zealand distributor, explains."Although there are cranes out there with good lifting performance, they are hindered by being paired with poor quality trucks, which has negatively impacted their reputation," he says. "These other cranes make long journeys tiresome and repairs are regularly needed. But the Grove GBT35 is a powerful crane married to a European truck that allows you to travel at 90 kph with the comfort of air suspension and the safety of air bags. It makes a huge difference and means operators can travel farther to complete more jobs." TRT has ordered five GBT35s so far this year, and expects to order more in early 2013. There is a similar story in Australia where Grove's direct sales team has ordered several GBT35s, which will be ready for sale in 2013. As well as superior road movement, the GBT35 offers several class-leading benefits, including a 39 m full power main boom. The crane also performs impressive reach work; it can lift 900 kg at a 30 m radius with the boom fully extended, which is comparable to much larger 50 t cranes. TRT worked closely with Manitowoc's engineers in Shady Grove, U.S., where the crane is built, to test counterweight and design configurations to achieve the 75 percent load chart required by local New Zealand law. This means the crane can perform lifts at a 36 m radius that other larger machines could not. The GBT35's applications are almost endless thanks to its versatility and size, and it's perfect for a wide range of general construction and industrial lifting work. The GBT35 is also lighter than comparable truck cranes, making it easier to gain permits to travel on roads or over bridges, for example, that other cranes would have to avoid. In addition, in Australia, the GBT35 avoids the need for an Intelligent Access Program (IAP) tracking system that can hinder crane movements, adding time to projects. Jason Pearce, national sales manager for Manitowoc crawler cranes in Australia, says the crane's versatility and performance will make it a favorite for contractors and rental companies alike. "The crane combines the efficiency of a European-made truck with the strengths of a Grove crane," he says. "It can slot into almost any crane fleet and, thanks to a well-balanced design, it offers the lifting power of a much larger machine." write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Construction News :: home page |