Wire Cranes Takes Delivery of 150-Tonne Grove GMK5150XL All Terrain Crane

30-Second Takeaway

UK rental specialist Wire Cranes and Lifting has expanded its fleet with the addition of a 150-tonne Grove GMK5150XL All Terrain crane, strengthening its offering in the UK taxi crane and heavy lifting market. The five-axle crane delivers long boom reach, high lifting capacity, and transport efficiency, supporting a wide range of construction and infrastructure projects.

Fleet Expansion Strengthens UK Taxi Crane Capability

UK-based rental specialist Wire Cranes and Lifting has taken delivery of a 150-tonne Grove GMK5150XL All Terrain crane, adding a high-capacity, five-axle machine to its growing fleet and strengthening its position in the UK taxi crane sector.

Long Boom and High-Capacity Lifting Performance

The GMK5150XL is equipped with a seven-section main boom measuring 68.7 metres, delivering a lifting capacity of 8.1 tonnes at full boom length and 12.7 tonnes at 60 metres. This boom configuration enables the crane to perform a wide range of lifting tasks while maintaining strong load charts at extended working radii.

Flexible Extension Options Deliver Increased Reach

To further enhance lifting height and versatility, the crane features a bi-fold swingaway extension ranging from 9.6 to 16.2 metres. An additional 11.3-metre lattice insert can be installed between the boom nose and the swingaway, increasing the crane’s reach and providing a maximum tip height of 99 metres for projects requiring additional vertical access.

Transport Efficiency Designed for UK Road Regulations

The Grove GMK5150XL can travel with up to 10.2 tonnes of counterweight installed while remaining within 12-tonne axle load limits. This transport configuration reduces the need for additional counterweight transport and supports faster mobilisation between job sites, an important consideration for crane rental operations working under UK road regulations.

Managing Director Highlights Fleet Investment

Commenting on the latest addition to the fleet, Managing Director Andy Unsworth said:

“The GMK5150XL is, in my view, the best UK ‘taxi crane’ ever built. We’re thrilled to offer this capability to our current and growing customer base. We will continue investing in our fleet to provide the best and most up to date crane capabilities available.”

About Wire Cranes and Lifting

Wire Cranes and Lifting is a UK-based crane rental and lifting solutions provider serving the construction, infrastructure, industrial, and specialist lifting sectors. Founded in 2023, the company is headquartered in Warrington, North West England, and operates a modern and diverse crane fleet.

The company’s fleet includes All Terrain cranes ranging from 35 to 500 tonnes, alongside mobile self-erecting tower cranes and spider cranes, enabling it to deliver flexible and efficient lifting solutions for projects of varying scale and complexity. Wire Cranes and Lifting focuses on providing reliable equipment, technical expertise, and responsive service to meet the demands of the UK crane and lifting industry.

Website: https://www.wirecranes.co.uk

About Grove

Grove is a globally recognised manufacturer of mobile hydraulic cranes, specialising in All Terrain, Rough Terrain, and truck-mounted cranes. The brand is known for its engineering innovation, advanced lifting technologies, and strong performance across demanding applications in construction, infrastructure, energy, and industrial markets.

Grove cranes are designed to deliver high lifting capacities, extended reach, and efficient transportability, while maintaining compliance with regional road regulations. The company’s All Terrain crane range is widely used by crane rental companies and contractors worldwide for its reliability, versatility, and ease of operation.

Grove is part of Manitowoc, a leading global manufacturer of lifting solutions with decades of experience in the global crane industry.

Website: https://www.grovecm.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Grove GMK5150XL particularly suited to UK taxi crane operations?

The Grove GMK5150XL is designed to balance lifting performance with UK road transport compliance. Its ability to travel with up to 10.2 tonnes of counterweight while remaining within 12-tonne axle load limits allows operators to mobilise quickly without additional counterweight transport. This configuration supports efficient deployment on short-duration and multi-lift jobs common in the UK taxi crane market.

How does the 68.7-metre main boom impact job coverage for a 150-tonne All Terrain crane?

A 68.7-metre seven-section main boom enables the GMK5150XL to cover a wide range of lifts that would otherwise require larger class machines or additional setup time. For fleet operators, this translates into increased utilisation across commercial construction, steel erection, and infrastructure projects where height and radius requirements vary.

What advantages do the bi-fold swingaway and lattice insert provide in practice?

The 9.6 to 16.2-metre bi-fold swingaway, combined with the optional 11.3-metre lattice insert, allows the crane to be configured for lifts approaching a 99-metre maximum tip height. This flexibility enables operators to adapt the crane to site-specific constraints without sacrificing transportability or moving up to a higher capacity class.

Why is counterweight carry capability critical for five-axle cranes in the UK?

UK axle load restrictions place limits on how much equipment can be transported without escorts or additional vehicles. A five-axle crane capable of carrying meaningful counterweight reduces the logistical burden of each mobilisation, shortens setup times on site, and improves job profitability by minimising ancillary transport costs.

What does this crane add to Wire Cranes and Lifting’s existing fleet mix?

The addition of a 150-tonne GMK5150XL complements a fleet ranging from 35 to 500 tonnes, strengthening the mid-to-upper All Terrain segment. This capacity class is often among the highest-utilisation cranes in rental fleets, supporting both planned lifts and reactive taxi crane work.

How does the GMK 5150XL align with current UK fleet investment trends?

UK rental companies are increasingly prioritising cranes that deliver maximum reach and performance within strict transport limits. The GMK5150XL reflects this trend by offering extended boom length, strong load charts, and road-legal configurations, making it a practical investment for operators focused on utilisation and flexibility.

Why do rental fleets continue to specify Grove All Terrain cranes?

Grove All Terrain cranes are widely specified for their boom system design, load chart performance, and consistency across model ranges. Their compatibility with regional transport regulations and established support infrastructure makes them a common choice for rental fleets operating in regulated markets.

Where can detailed technical data and load charts be accessed?

Complete technical specifications, configuration options, and load charts for the Grove GMK5150XL are available directly from the manufacturer athttps://www.grovecm.com