The first Grove GMK7450 all-terrain crane in Australia is now in the fleet of Sydney-based Melrose Cranes & Rigging. The crane is Melrose’s first Grove purchase and it also becomes the largest all-terrain crane in the state of New South Wales.

According to Gregg Melrose, company co-owner, the ease of travel and lifting ability of the GMK7450 were key factors behind the investment.

“We studied the market hard and were really attracted by the versatility and capacity of the Grove 7450,” he said. “It is road legal in our state of New South Wales when traveling with the boom and that was a massive factor. Other large all-terrain cranes – even some with lower capacities than the Grove – must remove the boom to legally travel. We can road the Grove’s 7450 with the boom dolly and that is going to make it a very cost efficient heavy lift solution.”

Australia’s lifting industry – like so many around the world – is booming. Melrose Cranes and Rigging has capitalized on this growth, building its fleet to 21 cranes in less than 10 years. Now the company is looking to build on its position.

“We’ve developed an excellent reputation in the daily rental market so it is time for us to take the next step,” said Melrose. “The GMK7450 opens up new markets to us. Because this crane is so easy to get on the road we can travel to a site and complete a heavy lift economically. We have been marketing this crane heavily and the response from the industry has been extremely positive. We are very proud to have the GMK7450.”

Melrose took a 79 m luffing fly jib on the crane as an option and was impressed with Grove’s willingness to listen to customer requirements and respond to customer feedback.

“Globally, the GMK7450 is a very successful crane,” says Melrose. “Speaking with other owners at the factory in Wilhelmshaven, Germany I heard nothing but positive stories. The company has taken customer feedback on board and used it to refine an already excellent crane. It is a very positive approach.”

Melrose will use the crane for a variety of construction tasks including tower crane erection, handling pre-cast concrete sections, placing air conditioning units and tilt-up work with concrete panels. It will also put the crane to work in power plants and mining facilities.

The Grove GMK7450 is a 7-axle all-terrain crane with a maximum capacity of 450 t. It has a 60 m main boom and a gross vehicle weight of 80,400 kg.

About The Manitowoc Company

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes,tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line of cold-focused equipment for the foodservice industry. In addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the U.S. maritime industry