Grove has introduced a new heavy-duty jib extension for its GRT9165 rough-terrain crane, designed to boost efficiency when setting precast concrete panels. The optional jib improves the 150t crane’s utilisation abilities due to its easy transportation and fast set-up time, the company says.
The jib is 3.8 metres long and designed with two sheaves, for up to four parts of line, and is hydraulically offsettable from 0° to 50°. The compact but stout jib has a max lifting capacity of 68,600 lbs.
According to the manufacturer, the new jib has up to 20% greater capacities on average than other cranes for tilt-up work while the two-hook design gives operators tight precision when positioning panels, with the hydraulic jib controlled via an in-cab switch for faster operation and convenience.
The heavy-duty jib was designed to meet the fast-changing precast concrete panel market, one of the most common off-site techniques used during construction. US-based design-build contractor Miron Construction Co. (Miron) recently became the first customer to use the new jib which is available to order for all new Grove GRT9165 rough-terrain cranes and as a retrofit for cranes in the field.
“It takes a larger crane to lift and rotate the concrete panels and vertically set them in place. Our precast jobs have a short duration and we wanted to minimise transport and setup costs,” said Pete Klosterman, executive vice president, field resources for Miron.
“The GRT9165 with the heavy-duty jib is the perfect package for what we need. It has strong capacities and precision for precast and is a solid all-around crane for the wider range of work we do,” he added.