Manitowoc brings massive, plug-in hybrid electric crane concept to bauma [video]

The mobile crane experts at Manitowoc has arrived at bauma Munich with not one but TWO plug-in hybrid all-terrain crane concepts that combine a fully electrified superstructure with Manitowoc’s most popular five-axle carrier designs for cleaner, better job site performance.

Based on the Manitowoc Grove GMK5150 line, the GMK5150L-1e and GMK5150XLe all-terrain concepts build on the success of the original GMK4100L-2 hybrid shown three years ago (these big con/ag shows happen every three years).

These new concept cranes, however, are much bigger – combining the GMK5150’s 150 ton combined with a new, fully electrified superstructure that the company says results in more energy efficient, quiet, and environmentally sustainable operations.

The setup allows the machine to operate as a fully electric taxi crane in urban areas, thanks to the crane’s 180 kWh battery back. With enough capacity to enable up to five hours of lifting, the Grove PHEV concept cranes could easily carry out a number of standard daily tasks. When it’s out of power, the crane can be connected to grid power for continuous, 24-hour operation.

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Grove GMK5150L-1e Plug-in Hybrid

When grid power isn’t available, the “hybrid” part of the electric crane concept comes into play in the form of a 170 kW (approx. 225 hp) ICE generator integrated into the carrier that can keep the crane running, or power the electric drive motors to get it back to the next job site.

Even better: that ICE engine operates on more sustainable HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) diesel. “These new Plug-in Hybrid cranes deliver more sustainable lifting and boost owners’ environmental credentials,” says Florian Peters, senior product manager for all-terrain cranes at Manitowoc. “(Customers) can drive to the job site using HVO fuel to power the efficient Mercedes-Benz engine and reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% while simultaneously charging the batteries. Then, they can set up and use clean electricity to handle the lifting tasks … a great advantage when operating in a city center.”

Structurally, the 60 meter main boom on the Grove GMK5150L-1e and 68.7 m (225 feet) main boom on the GMK5150XLe are identical to the company’s diesel models, as are the cranes’ load charts. That means the new PHEV cranes can handle everything the existing units can, with significant fuel savings and a lower carbon footprint.

Grove PHEV all-terrain concept cranes

Grove introduced its first hybrid concept all-terrain crane, a GMK4100L-2, on the Manitowoc stand at bauma 2022. The crane has a fully electrified superstructure, powered by a generator coupled to the diesel engine, and can also plug in to public power to charge its 100 kW-hour battery.

MANITOWOC

While there are a lot of people in and around the construction space who may scoff at environmental concerns, the quest for improved efficiency and cost reduction among commercial fleet managers knows no political ideology. Simply put: If it’s better or cheaper, they’ll buy it. If it’s better and cheaper, they’ll buy two — and battery power is proving to be consistently better, in a broader scope of use cases, than diesel.

Manitowoc seems to agree.

“Many cities and industrial sites are placing increasingly strict environmental requirements on machinery, so there is a need to provide customers with options to help them achieve their commercial and environmental goals,” adds Peters. “We expect a lot of interest in these hybrid cranes and are excited to unveil the GMK5150XLe at bauma 2025.”

SOURCE | IMAGES: Manitowoc.