Building in blocks with all terrain cranes

AUTAA Ile de France used its new Grove GMK6300L-1 all terrain crane on a precast modular hospital construction project near Paris, France. Photo: Manitowoc Grove

Modular construction is a fast and relatively simple process when you have sufficient lifting capacity and enough space to set the crane.

French lifting company AUTAA Ile de France had both of these requirements covered on a hospital construction project near Paris. AUTAA is a subsidiary of transport and logistics giant Charles André Group (GCA).

It used its new 300 tonne capacity Grove GMK6300L-1 all terrain crane for the hospital extension project. This perennially popular model on a six axle carrier helped assemble prefabricated modules. Its compact dimensions and quiet operation were valued as the hospital continued to operate during the expansion work.

Soon after delivery the crane was dispatched to the Saint Camille Hospital in Bry-sur-Marne, 17 km east of Paris. The heaviest of the 21 modules weighed 21 tonnes and had to be placed at a radius of 32 metres.

Minimal disruption

Commenting on his new crane at work Eric Grimaldi, GCA Exceptional Lifting and Transport managing director, said, “We are very impressed with our new GMK6300L-1; the crane was compact enough to fit in the limited space on the jobsite, ensuring minimal disruption to hospital operations and allowing the ambulance traffic to continue uninterrupted throughout the work. Additionally, because the GMK6300L-1 has two engines, including a smaller one in the superstructure, noise levels were kept to a minimum.”

Crane operator Eduardo Catarino felt at home with the new crane, having experience operating a 130 tonne capacity GMK5130-2 and a 150 tonne GMK5150L. “We’re only using 41.9 metres of boom and 74.5 tonnes of counterweight for this job, so it’s well within the capacities of the GMK6300L-1. The crane operates extremely well, and the hoist and slewing are very precise. Those features are really important for the ground crew. I can’t wait to use the crane’s full 80 metre boom to see how well it performs,” Catarino said.

GCA Exceptional Lifting and Transport has 110 mobile cranes and employs 365 people across its 11 depots. The Charles André Group was founded in 1932 and is run by Delphine André, granddaughter of the founder. GCA has an annual revenue of €1.7 billion and employs 10,000 people in 15 countries.

The new 300 tonne capacity Grove GMK 6300L-1 lifted modules weighing up to 21 tonnes, placing them at a radius of 32 metres. Photo: Manitowoc Grove