Transport and lifting specialist Felbermayr has added two Grove all-terrain cranes to its 400-strong European fleet in Germany. The cranes, with capacities of 100 t and 80 t, are now being put through their paces in tough conditions at the Schwarze Pumpe coal mine, near the Polish border.
Felbermayr chose the cranes, a GMK5095 and GMK4080-1, after conducting extensive tests on three rented Grove all-terrain cranes at its facilities in Linz and Bautzen. The cranes’ overall performance, particularly their off-road capabilities, proved the deciding factors, as Enrico Bräuer, manager of the Bautzen branch, explains.
“After extensive testing, we are convinced that Grove’s Wilhelmshaven plant produces some of the world’s most reliable mobile cranes, capable of working in the harshest conditions,” he says. “The GMK5095 is a powerful taxi crane while our all-wheel drive GMK4080-1 will give us maximum mobility on site. The only cranes that offer better off-road capabilities to Grove’s all-terrain cranes are its rough-terrain cranes.”
Shortly after the cranes were handed over in Wilhelmshaven in April 2013, they travelled 600 km to the Schwarze Pumpe coal mine near Cottbus. Since then, they have been working tirelessly to help expand the mine and install new equipment at its power plant.
The GMK5095 is used as a taxi crane, while the all-wheel drive GMK4080-1 provides the extra mobility needed to negotiate the rugged terrain. The cranes perform a wide variety of lifts including one recent pick to replace the beam ties on a 70 m long trench-cutting machine.
Michael Maier-Bauer, technical director at Felbermayr’s Linz branch, adds:
“The cranes tested wonderfully and the support from Manitowoc Crane Care met the demands of a company such as Felbermayr, that operates in many different countries, so we rely on responsive aftermarket support wherever we go. All the positive improvements made by Manitowoc has made it a valued partner for Felbermayr.”
The 100 t capacity GM5095 is a five-axle crane with a 60 m main boom, which can extend its reach to 82 m with a jib. Grove’s GMK4080-1 is an 80 t capacity four-axle crane with a 51 m main boom, which can be extended to 75 m with a jib. Both cranes feature Grove’s MEGATRAK independent suspension system.
Established in 1942, the Felbermayr Group employs 2,500 people who provide transport and lifting solutions to businesses throughout Europe.