Grove’s six-axle 300-tonne GMK6300L-1 all-terrain crane is unique in having an Allison fully automatic 4500 Specialty Series™ transmission, which aids precision-manoeuvring and inner city driving, according to Wiesbauer.
The new Grove GMK6300L-1 all-terrain crane, which is the only 300-tonne, six-axle crane to feature a fully automatic transmission, is performing well at Wiesbauer GmbH & Co. KG, a heavy-duty logistics provider based in Plankstadt, near Heidelberg in Germany. At the heart of the machine is an Allison 4500 Specialty Series™ transmission, which allows the successor to the popular GMK6300L crane even more power when lifting at great heights, as well as improving driver comfort and manoeuvrability.
Heavy and powerful multi-axle mobile cranes often travel at walking speed and have to be manoeuvered with absolute precision on difficult terrain. They are repeatedly moved from standstill. Transmitting engine power to the axles in as finely controlled a manner as possible is a challenge for the crane’s transmission. Conventional dry clutches are pushed to their limits and can overheat and ‘burn.’ Allison fully automatic transmissions, on the other hand employ a wear-free torque converter, which acts as a hydraulic clutch, multiplying the torque and maximising the engine output and providing uninterrupted transmission and superior startability. This results in high productivity for crane operating companies and improved comfort and control for the driver.
“We need vehicles that are robust, reliable and cost-effective. We can’t afford frequent downtime and high maintenance costs,” said Norman Weitzel, branch manager of Wiesbauer in Plankstadt. “In addition, we need vehicles in this class that are easy to operate and can be manoeuvred with millimetre precision. Therefore, we have once again decided in favour of a GMK6300L-1 with the torque converter transmission.”
“For me there’s nothing better than a torque converter on a construction site. Manoeuvring in inner cities and in tight construction sites is much easier – and more importantly, there’s nothing swinging back and forth on the lifting hook,” explained Jörg Haasner, crane driver.
At its maximum capacity of 300 tonnes and with the main boom fully extended to 80 metres, the GMK6300L-1 can handle loads of up to 14 tonnes. A 37 metre boom extension is available for further operational distance. In total, the crane can reach a tip height of up to 120 metres. This simplifies tasks such as erecting tower cranes, situating air conditioning units and elevator equipment on high-rise buildings and chimney work.
The carrier of this two-engine crane is powered by a 430 kW Mercedes-Benz engine (Euromot 4/EPA/CARB Tier 4 final) matched to the six-speed Allison fully automatic 4500 SP transmission. This pairing allows the GMK6300L-1 to be easily operated on site with a 92.5 tonne counterweight. The Allison with torque converter comes into its own, moving axle loads of up to 28 tonnes (per axle) smoothly and jerk-free through every stop and start, preventing valuable freight from swinging on the lifting hook. The superstructure is powered by a 210 kW Mercedes-Benz (Euromot 4/EPA/CARB Tier 4 final) engine.
In contrast to its competitors, Manitowoc Grove has relied on fully automatic transmissions with torque converters for cranes of this weight and performance for years.
“The GMK6300L series of cranes are the only ones in their class to have a fully automatic transmission and thus have the best operating characteristics for the job,” said Andreas Cremer, global product director for all-terrain cranes for Manitowoc. “The Allison 4500 SP offers a powerful, reliable and cost-effective powertrain solution that has proven itself in the toughest conditions. The electronic controls allow it to adapt to its surroundings and provide self-diagnostics, which make maintenance easier. An optional integrated output retarder offers enhanced braking on slopes and greater safety for the crane operator when driving such a heavy vehicle.”
On public roads and in traffic, a green traffic light requires timely acceleration, even for cranes. This six-axle crane has a top speed of 85 km/h (around 53 mph).
Safe control of heavy loads: Allison fully automatic transmission with torque converter
Allison fully automatic transmissions are established in the crane market. Manitowoc Grove and its predecessor Krupp Mobilkrane have been working with Allison Transmission for over 35 years. In addition to the GMK6300L and GMK6300L-1, Manitowoc Grove also offers its GMK7450 model cranes with Allison fully automatic transmissions.
“We like to sell cranes with Allison fully automatic transmissions. These are extremely stable systems. I have been in the crane business for 30 years and I have never had trouble with these transmissions,” said Andreas Werner, one of the two owners of KranAgentur Werner GmbH & Co. KG, the exclusive distributor of the Manitowoc Crane Group in much of Germany. “Allison fully automatic transmissions are very user-friendly. All you have to do is select the forward or reverse gear and you can then accelerate promptly. The transmission is low maintenance, robust and reliable. It transmits the engine torque smoothly and without interruption to the wheels which allows prompt and safe starts. This is very important because time is money in the crane business.”
Allison Transmission’s 4000 Series™ is available with close- or wide-ratio gearing and up to seven speeds including two overdrive ratios and a second reverse gear. Engine-driven Power Take-Off (PTO) is available as an option, as is an integral output retarder which provides enhanced vehicle braking and reduces brake wear. Operation is further enhanced by Allison’s 5th Generation advanced electronic controls, which also have prognostics capabilities. This enables the 4000 Series™ to be used in the most challenging conditions.
Allison’s 4000 Series™ is used globally in a wide range of vocational applications, including agriculture, construction, distribution, energy, fire and emergency, mining, municipal and utility services, port services, refuse collection, recreational vehicles and motorhomes, and tractors.
Technical specifications of the new Grove GMK6300L-1
| Model | GMK6300L-1 |
| Maximum capacity | 300 t (350 USt) |
| Maximum main boom | 80 m (263 ft) |
| Maximum tip height | 120 m (393 ft) |
| Transmission | Allison fully automatic 4500 SP (4000 Series) |
| Carrier engine | Mercedes-Benz OM473LA, 430 kW at 1700 rpm. Max. torque: 2750 Nm at 1300 rpm. |
| Superstructure engine | Mercedes-Benz OM936LA, 210 kW at 2200 rpm. Max torque 1150 Nm at 1200 rpm to 1600 rpm. |
| Emissions | Euromot 4 / EPA /CARB Tier 4 final (non road) |
Image – © Allison Transmission. This six-axle crane has a top speed of 85 km/h (around 53 mph).
About Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) is the world’s largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Allison transmissions are used in a variety of applications including refuse, construction, fire, distribution, bus, motorhomes, defense and energy. Founded in 1915, the company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA and employs approximately 2,900 people worldwide. With a market presence in more than 80 countries, Allison has regional headquarters in the Netherlands, China and Brazil with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Hungary and India. Allison also has approximately 1,400 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.allisontransmission.com
About Wiesbauer
Wiesbauer GmbH & Co. KG is one of Germany’s leading full-service providers in the field of heavy-duty logistics. The main business of crane services is supplemented by heavy-duty transports and industrial assembly. Wiesbauer not only provides the ideal equipment, but also the corresponding know-how for the entire project planning and implementation – “complete solutions from a single source”. The long-established company has a successful history of more than 60 years and continues to expand its leading market position through constant innovation and continuous investment in state-of-the-art lifting systems. www.wiesbauer-krane.de
About Manitowoc Company Inc.
Founded in 1992, the Manitowoc Company, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of cranes and lifting solutions with manufacturing, distribution, and service facilities in 20 countries. Manitowoc is recognized as one of the premier innovators and providers of crawler cranes, tower cranes, and mobile cranes for the heavy construction industry, which are complemented by a slate of industry-leading
aftermarket product support services. In 2018, Manitowoc’s net sales totaled US $1.8 billion, with over half generated outside the United States. www.manitowoc.com