Manitowoc launched two new Grove hybrid all-terrain cranes at bauma with the GMK5150XLe, taking centre-stage.
Manitowoc launched its first ever Plug-in Hybrid all-terrain cranes – the Grove GMK5150L-1e and GMK5150XLe. The GMK5150XLe, similar to its sister model, features much of the technology that excited customers three years ago when the GMK4100L-2 hybrid concept was unveiled.
The new models feature the existing 150 tonne capacity GMK5150L-1 and GMK5150XL cranes combined with a new, fully electrified superstructure resulting in more efficient, quiet, and environmentally friendly lifting operations.
At the heart of the new cranes is a battery pack that enables a solid day’s work as a taxi crane. With 180 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy, the Grove Plug-in Hybrid cranes can easily carry out several daily tasks. What makes them especially versatile is their ability to charge the battery from the grid (either AC or DC power supplies) or a 170 kW generator integrated into the carrier. This allows charging while driving and eliminates owner concerns about the availability of charging infrastructure.
The cranes can even be operated while charging (providing there is infrastructure for this at the jobsite).
The battery pack enables approximately eight hours of emissions-free lifting without compromising speed or capacity. When the crane is connected to the grid, the crane can operate continuously. This is more than enough functionality for a 150 t taxi crane, and when the day’s work is complete, the batteries are recharged while the crane is driven back to base, ready for the next working day. Another exciting feature is the E-Boost function. While accelerating the generator can be used as motor and gives an additional 800 Nm torque into the driveline.
“These new Plug-in Hybrid cranes deliver more sustainable lifting and boost owners’ environmental credentials. They can drive to the job site using HVO fuel to power the efficient Mercedes-Benz engine and reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent while simultaneously charging the batteries. Then, they can set up and use clean electricity to handle the lifting tasks. There’s also a massive reduction in noise pollution – a great advantage when operating in a city center, especially in the very early mornings or in the evenings,” said Florian Peters, senior product manager for all-terrain cranes at Manitowoc.
Strong and reliable as ever
Notably, adopting this more sustainable power source has no negative impact on lifting performance. Their operation is identical to the diesel driven cranes, just with considerably lower fuel consumption. Structurally, the 60 m main boom on the Grove GMK5150L-1e and 68.7 m main boom on the GMK5150XLe are identical to the diesel models, as are the load charts. This means the cranes will effortlessly handle their duties in day-to-day business.
Thanks to the carrier integrated generator the driveline, doesn´t require a retarder as it uses the braking energy to charge the batteries. This can be done in different modes where in ECO mode the batteries are being charges without additional fuel consumption. The remaining part of the driveline is maintained featuring the MEGATRAK® independent suspension system with disc brakes. There’s also Manitowoc’s efficient Crane Control System (CCS) with boom configurator mode and the flexible outrigger positioning system MAXbase™.
“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. There was a lot of interest in the hybrid cranes and we were excited to unveil the GMK5150XLe at bauma 2025,” said John Stewart, VP Sales & Support, General Manager, Manitowoc Cranes Australia.
“When you examine the overall fuel consumption of a normal taxi machine, a hybrid crane can reduce the carbon dioxide (CO²) footprint by one third when it comes to the operational element of the crane. Obviously, getting the crane to site is where the majority of the diesel is consumed. Once on site the crane’s superstructure is powered by the battery and this can be recharged using renewable energy making it carbon neutral,” he said.
“With hybrids, there will be savings in energy consumption but that by itself will not offset the price difference compared to a diesel-powered crane. Diesel is still too cheap, but it will certainly look different as the world moves forward and there is a price for carbon dioxide emissions,” said John.
Potain MR 309 luffing jib debuts
Potain’s MR 309 luffing jib crane made its international debut at BAUMA in Munich. The MR 309 was announced last year and is part of Potain’s newest generation of luffing jib cranes.
Both the Potain MR 309 and its sister model, the MR 329, complete the latest generation of Potain luffing jib cranes. By integrating valuable customer feedback using Manitowoc’s Voice of the Customer (VOC) process, Potain engineered several notable benefits into the cranes, including quicker and simpler crane assembly and an enhanced overall user experience.
The MR 309 delivers class-leading capabilities, offering maximum capacity variants of 16 t or 25 t; a 60 m jib; and a tip capacity of 3.4 t. It features a 2 m mast section connecting to the crane’s luffing section. There’s up to 49.2 m of free-standing height under pivot, and up to 4.3 t can be lifted at 55 m. The crane effectively addresses the demand for a significantly reduced out-of-service radius (9.5 m to 12 m) and minimizes anchorage frame requirements. These enhancements help improve efficiency and productivity on high-rise and congested construction sites where oversailing is prohibited.
“We’ve had such success with the Potain MCR305, that we embarked on a consultative process with Australian customers asking them what they wanted to see from Potain in terms of cranes best suited for our market.
“The feedback was passed back to the factory and collaboratively, we have designed the MCR505 which is tailored to meet the demands of our market. The MCR 505 is due to be released in Q3 and we are expecting the same success with this model as we have had with the MCR305,” said Billy.
The MR 309 comes equipped with the Potain CONNECT™ telematics system, which uses a remote telematics platform to ensure higher uptime by enabling faster identification and resolution of issues. It also provides remote access to crane data for troubleshooting and fleet management, helping Potain customers get more from their machines.
The Potain MR 309 features a jib that can be mounted horizontally in one or two parts to minimize space requirements during erection. Accessible platforms and steps enhance worker security and efficiency, while the counter jib ballast is installed at working height, facilitated by built-in slinging points and a self-centering system.
A redesigned luffing mechanism further streamlines assembly, and an integrated jib-end basket enables more secure installation, inspection, and maintenance. Additionally, the Potain CCS control system offers a range of advantages, including reduced commissioning time to help the crane get to work faster.