Conductix-Wampfler supplies cable and dual hose reels for the Manitowoc Grove GMK6300L mobile crane

Weil am Rhein, December 2017. Conductix-Wampfler, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of power- and data-transmission systems for mobile consumers, has been selected by the Manitowoc Group to provide energy-, data- and hydraulic-oil-transfer solutions for the GMK6300L crane model.

Manitowoc Cranes is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mobile cranes. The 6-axle GMK6300L crane model is manufactured at its Wilhelmshaven site and, with a nominal load of 300 tons and a lifting height of up to 117 m, it is one of the highest performing models in the portfolio of all-terrain mobile cranes. The transmission of media and data to the hydraulically driven bi-fold swingaway jib, which extends to up to 21 m at the end of the 80-m telescopic main boom, makes special demands on the performance and reliability of the system components supplied by Conductix-Wampfler.

“Conductix-Wampfler supplies a spring-driven hydraulic double hose reel with a winding length of 70m that meets our high standards of performance and quality,” says Arndt Hollmann, Manager for Engineering Hydraulics at Manitowoc Cranes. So far, these winding lengths have been possible only with heavy hydraulically driven reels. Conductix-Wampfler has also developed an innovative transport, mounting and interim-storage solution for the double hose reel. If the hydraulically driven swingaway jib is not required by the crane operator in the current application scenario, the hose reel can be removed from the crane and temporarily stored on this rack. “This reduces the crane weight and thus saves fuel in such cases,” adds Hollmann. The rack can also be folded up, stacked and thus stored in a very space-saving manner when the double hose reel is actively in use. “The hose reel is delivered to our factory already on the same rack, which simplifies the in-house transport and the initial installation.”

Conductix-Wampfler has mastered the technical challenge of achieving these large winding lengths with spring-driven hose reels that have to function reliably at operating pressures of up to 260 bar in dynamic operation.

“Spring-driven reels tend to be lighter than motorized or hydraulically driven models, resulting in valuable weight savings on the boom, which in turn benefits the payload,” explains Danny von Beinen, Global Account Manager at Conductix-Wampfler. The passive system requires no control and thus no complex integration into the control system of the crane is necessary. “This makes our product a plug-&-play solution,” continues von Beinen. “We not only optimize the product for challenging application scenarios for our customers, but also take account of its integration into the logistics environment and assembly processes.” With the development of the innovative transport-and-mounting solution for Manitowoc, Conductix-Wampfler has succeeded in creating added value along the entire supply chain, from Conductix-Wampfler’s suppliers to the use of the crane by the end user.

Conductix-Wampfler supplies a compact spring-driven cable reel located inside the main boom for measuring the extension of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder and the transmission of sensor signals.

An additional spring-driven cable reel drum on the outside of the main boom permits the reliable recording and redundant verification of the telescoping length of the main boom, as well as transmitting sensor signals and supplying electrical consumers. The data collected is fed to the crane’s control system and makes a significant contribution to the overall safety concept of the crane.