Spotlight Cranes
By Seth Skydel
Long and Lean
The latest rough terrain cranes offer greater lifting capacity at longer boom lengths
The outlook for rough terrain cranes continues to be positive,” said Lance Rydbom, vice president of product management & engineering at Tadano.“ Infrastructure, wind, petrochemical and oil and gas projects continue to be steady and will require rough terrain cranes to support them. We will see if any effects from factors like tariffs or economic policy arise, but this market should continue to be solid.”
Tadano, Rydbom noted, prepares for growth in the rough terrain( RT) crane market and has the newest technologies to meet challenges for growing fleets. In the development of their latest generation of RTs, the company emphasizes critical needs for operator comfort, reliability, ease of transportation, ease of assembly / set up and cost of ownership.
Grove 50- and 80-ton RTs
Boasting enhanced load charts and a variety of new features, the recently debuted Grove GRT550 rough terrain crane succeeds the manufacturer’ s RT550E model while retaining their claim to offering the longest boom in the 50-ton rough terrain class. The new model also utilizes its predecessor’ s compact carrier design, and its lightweight features provide for a 65,400-pound GVW rating.
The GRT550’ s 128-foot, five-section boom has a 161-foot maximum tip height and can be equipped with an offsettable swingaway extension. The machine features an increased line pull capability compared to the RT550E and requires less line, speeding rigging time.
Power for the Grove GRT550 comes
from a Cummins QSB6.7 engine with an ECO mode for improved fuel efficiency. Standard on the model is a new Site Steering mode that simplifies handling, an updated outrigger system with smart monitoring of single-stage outrigger beams and the company’ s MAXbase variable-position outrigger system for flexibility and 360-degree load capacities on congested jobsites.
A new cab with high-capacity HVAC has also been developed for the new Grove RT. Visibility is improved, particularly to the boom, and there’ s a three-camera system available as an option. In addition, the crane features an adjustable heated seat with armrest-mounted joystick controls and the manufacturer’ s new 12-inch CCS 1 +
Boasting enhanced load charts and a variety of new features, the recently debuted Grove GRT550 rough terrain crane succeeds the manufacturer’ s RT550E model. The 50-ton class RT has a 128-foot, five-section boom has a 161-foot maximum tip height.
The Tadano-4 series of rough terrain cranes include the GR-800XL-4, GR-1000XL-4, GR-1000XLL-4 and GR-1300XL-4. All of the models feature backup sonar sensors, added cameras, new cabs with more space and less obstructions and the manufacturer’ s Smart Counterweight and Smart Chart systems.
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May 2025 • www. cranehotline. com