Grove RT for German marina

In Holstein, Germany, ancora Marina has taken delivery of a Grove RT550E rough terrain crane to assist with repairs, building work, boat handling, mast installations, and general maintenance at its private yacht harbour.

ancora Marina's new 45 tonne capacity crane comes with a 39 metre main boom (Photo: Manitowoc)

The 45 tonne capacity crane comes with a 39 metre main boom.

With its 3.66 metre wheelbase producing a turning radius of just 7.02 metres in 2-wheel steer mode, the crane is ideal for congested sites such as the marina, the company said.

The crane can operate in 4-wheel steer (with crab and coordinated modes). Grove said this movement means the amount of time required for the operator to position the crane is reduced, enabling complex lifting operations to be performed quickly and easily.

The five-section Megaform main boom extends from 9.9 to 39 metres. Even at its maximum length, there’s plenty of strength to handle the new daily requirements, with the crane able to lift 0.7 tonnes at a 32 metre radius. Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS) is included on the RT550E.

Costly damage

“In a marina like this, poorly executed lifting or driving could easily result in costly damage, so the clear and confident operation we get from our new, compact Grove RT550E is very reassuring,” said Ralf Schmidt, head of operational services at the marina. “The crane’s load charts were also an important factor in our purchase, considering the capacity and reach we need for different applications.”

“It’s a busy environment all year round at ancora Marina, so the Grove RT550E’s manoeuvrability and ease of use make it a vital part of our operations,” Schmidt concluded. “It’s already been working well, and our operators really appreciate the comfortable full-vision cab that makes their task so much easier.”

Marina needs

There are 1,400 berths for yachts at the ancora Marina, ranging in size from 6 - 35 metres, along with over 21,000 m2 of indoor space dedicated to winter storage plus another 20,000 m2 of asphalted outdoor area. The facility provides customers with year-round service and support, including complex repairs.