New for bauma 2013 in Munich, Germany is the Grove YardBoss YB5520. This 18 t industrial crane reflects a complete redesign of the YardBoss for this capacity class. It will replace the older 16 t YB5518, while adding new technology and design features. The crane is also the first to be fully CE-certified in line with the latest European EN 13000 regulations. All other YB cranes will be similarly CE-certified by mid-2013.
Thomas McCallum, director of industrial crane sales and crane remarketing for Grove, says the new YardBoss YB5520 marks a new generation of Grove industrial cranes.
“Three years ago we started a project to completely redesign the YardBoss from the ground up,” he said. “The end result is a wholly-innovative, superior machine that builds on the YardBoss tradition, but possesses technology all its own.”
For starters, the YB5520 has a higher capacity and longer boom than other cranes in its class. Its 18 t capacity and 16.6 m four-section, full-power boom bring a new era of industrial crane lifting power. For the first time on an industrial crane, Grove is offering two jib options: customers have a choice between a
4.6 m boom extension and an adjustable 4.6 m to 7.6 m swingaway boom extension.
The lifting power of the YB5520 comes in a small package. With only a 4.6 m by 2.4 m footprint, the crane will fit into the tightest of work spaces. It measures only 2.5 m tall, making it ideal for indoor work. Its crab steering with self-alignment and pivoting boom nose – adjustable to five positions from minus
30 to 80 degrees – enable easy maneuvering when there isn’t much room.
“The size of this crane makes it perfect for work in auto or industrial plants, shipyards, refineries and other job sites where space is limited,” McCallum said.
Other features include a 2-speed hoist that enables operators to raise the hook rapidly or slowly, depending on the lift requirement. It has a 3.3 l, Euromot 3B Cummins diesel engine and ITL power shift transmission – it can be driven in either two-wheel, four-wheel or crab steering mode. Where previous YardBosses are best-suited to operate on improved surfaces, the YB5520 will also be able to drive on unimproved, semi-rough terrains, such as gravel and dirt.
The YB5520 has an all-cast, solid counterweight, which lowers the crane’s profile, and post-compensated, load-sending hydraulics, which make raising the boom, lifting, swinging and other functions smoother – this is accomplished through the use of a single piston pump, rather than the four-gear pump arrangement found on older models.
Richard Bryson, manager of industrial crane engineering at Manitowoc, said the design of the hydraulics system, in particular, would benefit customers.
“This new state-of-the-art design with the new hydraulic system is the key to a stronger, smoother, more fuel efficient crane that is easier to maintain and operate,” he said.
Updated features are also included on the crane. Headlights, brake lights and work lights, among other places, now use LED lights to improve visibility. A new feature, an outrigger monitoring system, lets operators know that the crane’s outriggers are fully extended via a dashboard light. The tires are larger with a more aggressive tread and higher-load capacity than previous YardBoss cranes, plus a tilt steering wheel makes for more comfortable operator control.
“All-in-all, the YB5520 is a much-improved industrial crane,” said Tom McCallum. “It’s more powerful, has more reach, more new features and is better for the environment. It’s truly an innovative crane from the ground up.”
The YB5520 is manufactured at Manitowoc’s factory in Shady Grove, Pa., U.S. and began shipping worldwide January 2013.