Manitowoc updated its 115-ton-capacity Grove TMS9000-2 truck-mounted crane with a new engine that increases its power output by 25 brake horsepower (bhp) and has given the model a series of design improvements that enhance operator comfort, reduce machine weight and speed up the setup process.
The TMS9000-2 now has a Cummins X12 engine, which increased horsepower to 475 bhp, while ensuring compliance with the latest on-highway emissions standards.
Additional improvements include modifications to the outriggers for faster and simpler job site setup. The rear outrigger box was raised about 5 inches to improve the departure angle to 18 degrees, while the front outrigger jacks have been raised 3.5 inches to improve ground clearance. This also makes sliding outrigger mats underneath easier. There is now an extra 3 inches of outrigger stroke, while the outrigger pad size increased from 20 inches to 24 inches.
“Our outrigger improvements can play a big part in making the crane more user-friendly and elevating the overall operating experience,” said JJ Grace, product manager for truck-mounted cranes at Manitowoc. “That was a change made in response to customer suggestions and will serve to enhance their trust and confidence in our machines even further.”
Lower GVW, same load charts
The Grove TMS9000-2 already had the lowest gross vehicle weight (GVW) in its class, and the updated model is now even lighter at 36.4 tons in the basic configuration. With a new carrier and engine, almost 1,000 pounds of excess weight has been trimmed.
The truck crane’s load charts remain unaffected thanks to the 36- to 169-foot six-section Megaform boom and its single telescopic cylinder with the fully hydraulic Twin-Lock pinning system. Manitowoc’s fully automated laser-welding process leaves just one weld seam on the boom — rather than the previous three — for a higher quality, stronger and lighter design.
“After we launched the original TMS9000-2 in 2017, its high level of flexibility quickly won over a large and appreciative customer base,” Grace said. “Their use varies greatly from region to region, whether it’s in oil fields or HVAC installations, so we provided a wide range of packages to suit those different needs and markets. Now, with these new modifications — many of which only came about because of Manitowoc’s belief in, and enthusiasm for, the Voice of the Customer product development process — we have enhanced their appeal to a wider array of individual operators, too.”
