23.09.2006

Grove launches the GMK4100

Grove hosted over 400 dealers and customers to its European production plant in Wilhelmshaven yesterday for the launch of the four axle GMK4100 that it announced at Intermat earlier this year.
The new 100 tonne All Terrain crane is available with either a 52 metre six section main boom or as a GMK4100L with 60 metre seven section boom. Essentially the L version is identical except it has an extra section added at the base of the five section boom.
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Dry ice and lights as the GMK4100 emerges

With its 10 to 17 metre bi-fold swingaway the cranes can achieve an on board tip height of 72 and 80 metres respectively. Two five metre extensions can take this to 82 and 90 metres.
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First glimpse at the Grove GMK4100

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A second unit emerges "the lady in red"

The cranes cab is produced by Mercedes which gives the crane a degree of sophistication not usually found on mobile cranes. It also offers the benefit of widely and rapidly available replacement parts, such as window glass, at prices well below those of normal crane cab parts.
The 52 metre boom crane achieves 12 tonne axle weights with 6.3 tonnes of counterweight, bi fold swingaway, 16:00 tyres and hook blocks.
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The full counterweight is hoisted in place and locked from the cab

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52m of main boom and 17m swingaway

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The Grove GMK4100L with its 60m main boom

For markets where the 12 tonne axle weights are not critical, such as the UK where up to 16 tonnes is permitted, the crane can carry 21 tonnes of its maximum 26 tonnes counterweight.

Phillipe Cohet, executive vice president of Manitowoc Europe, Africa and Mid East region said: “welcoming everyone to Wilhelmshaven said that Manitowoc is working hard to expand production, and announced that employment at the plant will increase from 800 to over 950, and introduced the new Wilhelmshaven plant director, Dieter Schneider. He also confirmed that additional capacity is being added to the Grove plant in Italy.
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Phillipe Cohet at the GMK4100 launch

Finally he wrapped with by saying that the GMK4100 is just the start of a number of new products and innovations to come from Manitowoc and recommended that visitors stop by the Grove stand at Bauma and to expect groundbreaking developments including an industry first “I guarantee you it will be worth it!”
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Frans Vanwinkel

Frans Vanwinkel, who heads Manitowoc’s sales efforts in the region said “the GMK4100 represents the latest thinking from the best engineers in the industry.
Our goal is to have the most complete All Terrain line in the business. The GMK4100 looks new, feels new and is new I think it is the best looking AT on the market”

Vertikal Comment

The GMK4100 certainly looks like a tidy package, with decent on board reach good travel weights, comfortable practical cabs and that 100 tonne rating.
Most visitors we spoke to were reasonably impressed but dismayed at the delivery times, it seems that Grove has booked over 130 orders for the GMK4100 putting availability into the second half of 2007.