KSG, a crane rental company based in Hamburg, Germany, has taken delivery of a Grove GCK3045, the newest mobile crane that Manitowoc launched during 2009. The distinctive new crane has a single cab, and its compact dimensions make it ideally suited to working indoors or in crowded urban settings.

Lutz Seidler, one of the operators at KSG, said the new crane was enjoyable to operate.

“We have experience with single cab cranes from other brands, but a number of factors persuaded us to invest in Grove,” he said. “It is very easy to maneuver and handles very easily, even in the tightest job sites. It’s a very comfortable crane and features such as variable outrigger settings allow us to be more flexible on cramped jobsites.”

The GCK3045 has a maximum capacity of 45 t and a 34 m boom with optional twist jib. This 6.3 m/10.2 m jib can rig within the crane’s 2.55 m width as opposed to more conventional jibs which must “swing out” of the crane’s width to set up. Other dimensions for the GCK3045 are 9.07 m length by 3 m height. There are five outrigger settings on the crane, and these can be asymmetrically set for better flexibility.

Thorsten Dietzel, Manitowoc’s sales manager for northern Germany, said KSG has good experience with city cranes.

“We’re very pleased that KSG has taken this GCK3045,” he said. “The company has good experience in this crane category and did a lot of research when looking to replace one of its cranes