Lighter, longer, stronger -- that was Grove's mantra as it developed the TMS9000-2, its next-generation truck crane, just unveiled.
The new 115-USt-capacity truck crane features many improvements over previous models. Those upgrades will let owners increase utilization and lifting capabilities.
The TMS9000-2 is lighter, which increases roadability and helps customers meet North American gross vehicle weight requirements.
It has a longer boom, which increases reach and enables lifters to work in a wider variety of applications.
And the crane is stronger, with best-in-class load charts for all counterweight configurations, Grove says.
“The Grove TMS9000-2 is a clear example of The Manitowoc Way in action,” said Harrison Hipple, product manager for truck-mounted cranes at Manitowoc. “We brought our customers in at the earliest stages of designing this crane to ensure we made a product that fits their lifting needs. It was engineered with one goal in mind: to increase utilization rates for customers and increase their return on investment in a truck crane.”
Lighter, longer, stronger
The TMS9000-2 is about 800 lbs. lighter than its predecessor, the TMS9000E. Its reduced, best-in-class gross vehicle weight enables a wider range of flexibility in carrying counterweight, cribbing, and other items. That helps users optimize the crane for a variety of applications. The optimized truck crane will meet a diverse range of roading regulations across North America.
Though the TMS9000-2 is lighter, its boom length and capacity have both increased.
The new 169.3-ft., six-section Megaform boom uses Grove’s Twin-Lock pinning system. It’s greaseless, which reduces maintenance. The improved reach lets customers work a wider variety of applications, but from a compact chassis that's just 8'6" wide and 43'10" long. Manual or hydraulic swing-away jibs, along with additional inserts, can provide further reach.
The increased reach comes with increased capacity across all load charts.
The crane’s 115-ton capacity makes it the strongest four-axle truck crane on the market with the best load charts in its class, says Grove.
Both the boom and chassis are stronger on the TMS9000-2 than previous cranes, so there is more capacity at all radii. On average, load charts with maximum counterweight have improved by about 5% over its predecessor.
The new model also shares the same counterweight system as the TMS9000E, so owners can interchange counterweights and wing weights from the previous-generation crane, giving them flexibility in configurations across an entire fleet. In essence, the leading GVW enables owners to win and complete more jobs at a lower cost, improving their return on investment.
Feature filled
Overall operational efficiency is improved by the Crane Control System (CCS), Manitowoc’s standardized operating system that works across several crane brands and models. The TMS9000-2 not only offers six simple predefined boom sequences to maximize crane utilization, it incorporates powerful features found in CCS-equipped Grove all-terrain products. That includes a highly intuitive Boom Configurator Mode that makes it quick and easy to select the optimum boom position and length for a specific lift. The operator simply puts in lift parameters and the system calculates the best configuration.
Along with CCS, the crane’s cab has other improvements, such as a new air-conditioning system and ergonomic controls. Cameras help the operator while he or she drives the crane or makes a lift. Rear-view and passenger-side blind-spot cameras help during driving, and during lifts, a hoist camera provides convenient visibility of the hoists.
A new outrigger system gives flexibility in positioning the crane. Previous-generation truck cranes had only three configurations. The new model has four: 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100%. The new system is also 1 ft. slimmer, measuring only 23 ft. at full span.
The Cummins ISX12 powertrain is an on-highway, EPA-certified engine that puts out 450 bhp at 1,800 rpm, and up to 1,550 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine meets the strictest environmental requirements, such as those in California. The TMS9000-2’s drivetrain, air suspension, brake, and wheel systems are similar to those on the TMS9000E. Customers also now have the choice of a manual or an automated manual transmission.
The Manitowoc Way
The Grove TMS9000-2 reflects advancements in design and manufacturing from The Manitowoc Way, the company’s program to deliver innovation at increased velocity that improves customer ROI. The Manitowoc Way puts the customer at the focus of new products and seeks to include them early in the design stage.
The multi-disciplinary, cross-functional team that designed the TMS9000-2 included representatives from design and engineering, quality control, production planning, sales, purchasing, manufacturing, and more. Also, Manitowoc customers were asked to provide feedback about what would directly benefit them on the job site and increase their profitability.
That quickly accomplished two goals: First, customers had direct influence on the crane at an earlier stage, which will lead to increased use and ROI in the field. Second, it brought the TMS900-2 to market in just 1/3 the time it took to introduce previous generation cranes.
Other reflections of The Manitowoc Way in the crane’s design and engineering include a Manitowoc hoist that features 23,500-lb. maximum single-line pull and can hold 960 ft. of wire rope. Like all mobile cranes engineered at Manitowoc’s facility in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, every component of the TMS9000-2 has been scrutinized at its Product Verification Center to ensure durability and reliability from the ground up.
“The Grove TMS9000-2 represents a significant advance in truck crane power and flexibility. With improved roadability, reach and capacity, companies will be able to complete a wider range of jobs at a lower cost, increasing utilization and return on investment,” Hipple said. “We know for a fact that customers are eager to have this new crane join their fleets because they have been with us from the beginning, helping us design a crane that will have a real impact on their own profitability.”
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
