Schmidbauer, a Germany-based crane rental company, completed a wind turbine maintenance job in Denklingen, Bavaria, replacing the bearings on all three rotor blades using a Grove GMK6400-1 all-terrain crane.
The scope covered the removal of the blades, the dismantling of the bearings for refurbishment, and their reinstallation. The lifting plan required long reach and controlled movements at height, with the crane configured with 135 t of ballast, a 54.6 m main boom, and a 73 m luffing jib. The crane handled loads up to 9 t at a 39 m radius, with a reported hook height of 123 m. The work was completed in three days.
Schmidbauer added the GMK6400-1 to its fleet in April 2024.
The GMK6400-1 was set up with Grove’s MegaWingLift attachment, which is designed to increase lifting capacity in specific configurations.
The GMK6400-1 has been followed in Grove’s six-axle range by the GMK6450-1. The newer model is positioned for wind-sector work, including installation, repairs and major component replacement, with higher lifting capacity, updated control systems and compact dimensions. It is also designed to reduce set-up time and improve on-site flexibility.
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