Manitowoc built a custom Grove all-terrain crane to help a Dutch fire department. The crane is a specially-modified version of the GMK4080-1 and is the only crane in the Netherlands tailored to help with fire service emergencies.
The crane was designed to the fire department’s unique requirements, while still complying with European regulations. A team from the Haaglanden fire department traveled to Manitowoc’s facility in Breda, Netherlands to inspect the finished crane.
Arwin van de Zande, managing fire officer of the department’s technical division, gave the unique crane his approval.
“It is exactly what we wanted,” he says. “We deliberated over making such a significant investment given the current financial climate. But the versatility, capabilities and long working life of this crane convinced us. Plus, the cooperation from Manitowoc was exceptional. It was an honor for me to be involved in such a great project.”
The 80 t capacity crane will work throughout Haaglanden and the neighboring regions, responding to emergencies.
The fire department requested an 8 x 8 x 8 drive configuration, versus the standard 8 x 6 x 8, for better off-road traction which is especially needed for installing lifeguard stations on the beach. More drive wheels and Grove’s patented Megatrak suspension make the crane easier to drive over soft, sandy terrain. Manitowoc invited the fire crew to see a GMK4080-1 traveling on Scheveningen beach in Den Haag to demonstrate the advantages of its existing drive system and Megatrak suspension.
Other modifications included mechanical and electrical alterations and additions to cope with the unique challenges of emergency lifting. Additions included an 8 t capacity winch for recovering large vehicles and outrigger plates at the front for faster set up. There are seven storage boxes, multiple lifting accessories, a boom-end camera, an enhanced noise-reduction cab, siren, emergency lights, front-end tow bar, special paint and communication equipment.
Among the regular anticipated tasks for the crane will be the righting of derailed public transport trams, which run on electricity. These trams generally weigh around 18 t. To ensure safe operations during this kind of work, the crane is fitted with a unique device that grounds the entire superstructure, keeping operators and bystanders safe when the crane is lifting electrically charged equipment.
There are strict EU regulations when buying machinery using public funds, so the fire service was closely involved at all stages of the project, from the initial quote through to delivery of the final crane, ensuring it met all its public service commitments.
Adri van Groningen, commercial director for Benelux and Israel at Manitowoc, said manufacturing a unique crane for the fire service was an interesting and rewarding project.
“It’s been fantastic to work on this crane and show that we can meet even the most challenging customer requests,” he says. “I am very proud of the Manitowoc Crane Care team here in Breda. They did an outstanding job and completed everything on time. This is the flagship vehicle for the Dutch fire department, and I look forward to seeing it in action. Hopefully this delivery will allow us to build more of these specially-adapted cranes.”
Manitowoc Crane Care is training 28 firemen in the correct operation of the crane. The crane will join a fleet of 80 fire trucks in the Haaglanden region and replaces a lower-capacity fire crane. The new crane will be fully operational by November 2011.