Two more Grove GMK5150L cranes sold at Australia’s CICA 2017

• A new GMK5150L for Tasmania’s Cranes Combined is shown at the industry event while Manitowoc announces two further sales at the show.
• Manitowoc also auctioned off a unique model of the crane during the gala dinner. The model was carved by chainsaw from wood and raised A$40 000 for charity. 

The Grove GMK5150L all-terrain crane stole the limelight at this year’s Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) 2017 Conference. A unit purchased by Cranes Combined of Tasmania was displayed on the Manitowoc booth and the company confirmed two further sales during the show before staging a hugely successful auction of a carved model at the event’s gala dinner. The GMK5150L which launched into Australia earlier this year has already established itself as one of the country’s most popular choices in the five-axle category.  

John Stewart vice president and general manager for Manitowoc in Australia and New Zealand said the GMK5150L’s design offered a perfect combination of features for Australian customers.

“The GMK5150L is so popular in Australia because it delivers a great return-on-investment with outstanding lift capacities easier roading (with the boom over the front) throughout the country and greater jobsite accessibility ” he said. “Its ‘L’ designation means it’s one of our long-boom models so it provides more reach and can take on a wider range of jobs. It’s perfect for applications like tower crane assembly; narrow lifts in congested areas; or reaching over buildings to handle HVAC work.”

The CICA Conference regularly attracts the lifting industry’s leading speakers which this year included Manitowoc’s Andreas Cremer global product director for all-terrain cranes. He delivered a well-received presentation on the evolution of mobile crane design and also participated in the Manufacturers Panel discussion.

On the final night of the conference the Gala Dinner included an auction of the GMK5150L sculpture crafted by Melbourne-based chainsaw carver Brandon Kroon. New South Wales-based Borger Cranes one of Manitowoc’s biggest Australian customers made the winning bid of A$40 000. All proceeds went to beyondblue a non-profit charity organization which works to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around depression and anxiety while also helping to prevent suicides.    

The Grove GMK5150L has a maximum capacity of 150 t and a main boom of 60 m which can be extended to 88 m with jib attachments. The crane can be fully permitted across the whole of Australia with a 50 t gross vehicle mass. Features include the Crane Control System (CCS) Manitowoc’s user-friendly operator interface with boom configurator mode for quick and easy selection of boom positions.

The GMK5150L is part of Grove’s latest generation of lighter and stronger single engine cranes which feature the widest possible choice in counterweight configurations. This allows users to configure the crane to suit their transport needs without sacrificing unnecessary capacity.

Manitowoc was supported at the CICA Conference 2017 by its Grove and Manitowoc distribution partners from across the country. TRT which covers Queensland; and RMB Service Group which covers South Australia were both present in the exhibition area. WATM Crane Sales & Service the Grove and Manitowoc dealer for Western Australia also attended the conference and used the opportunity to promote its remote diagnostics system.

The CICA Conference 2017 took place at the Adelaide Convention Centre from October 19 to 21.