Grove GMK6400 helps break company record

Crane service provider Greiner Industries, based in the USA, has broken a company record using a Grove GMK6400.

Since joining the company’s fleet in August 2013, the 450 US ton (400 tonne) capacity all terrain crane has clocked more than 1,500 hours, and has helped the company win more job bids than ever before, a spokesperson said.

The latest project was at a Glatfelter paper plant, where the crane worked for 11 days. It was used to change 15 ton (14 tonne) evaporators. The evaporators were lifted at a height of 45 metres and at a radius of 49 m.

Ben Daugherty, Greiner crane division manager, said, “Initially, Glatfelter was doubtful we could complete the project but, once we showed them the GMK6400 and its capabilities, we were awarded the job. We were less expensive than the bigger cranes and because our crane would take up less space in the plant, the company was able to keep a service line open and continue working.”

The crane is due to be used to help construct the Alexandria Renew Nutrient Management Facility, a wastewater treatment plant in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. The GMK6400 will be used for approximately 80 days on the project, helping the company pass another personal record, a spokesperson said. It will lift 25 ton (22 tonne) precast concrete panels at a radius of 32 m. The crane will be configured with 40 m of main boom and a heavy duty jib.

Greiner purchased the GMK6400 from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Stephenson Equipment. Ben Daugherty said, “Stephenson will drop whatever it’s doing to support my needs and that’s a huge selling point – other companies don’t have that kind of product support,” he explained.

“The first night that we had the GMK6400 we took it to work on a bridge project. We were very unsure about using a new crane on a job so soon after purchasing it. There was a $20,000 charge for each hour if we went over the scheduled stop time. Stephenson sent a technician to stay with us overnight for 12 hours just in case something happened. That kind of support is priceless.”