Grove Crane recently won a major contract with Saudi Aramco, the Saudi national oil exploration and production company, for the supply of 19 new all-terrain (AT) cranes for servicing and maintenance duties at oil production facilities throughout the Kingdom.

The deal, completed in conjunction with Grove's long-standing Saudi distributor Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, is for 15 50 tonne-capacity GMK 3050s, two 100-tonne GMK 5100s, and two 200-tonne GMK 5200s. The units, valued at close to $10 million, are for Aramco's Roads and Heavy Equipment division.

"Saudi-Aramco has long been a customer of Grove cranes, with some 230 of its existing fleet of 270 cranes being Groves - including a variety of rough terrain (RT), all terrain and truck-mounted models. This new deal is part of a major upgrading and replacement programme, and recognises particularly the value of the high-mobility of the latest AT cranes," says Grove general manager - marketing Malcolm Early.

He continues: "Grove has for some time championed the AT concept in the Middle East, and this order sees a large proportion of the truck cranes in Aramco's fleet being replaced by ATs. A substantial number of the RT cranes will also be replaced, although RTs will remain an important part of the fleet.

"Of particular interest to Saudi-Aramco is the provision of an on-board datalogging system, which will be carried on all new Aramco cranes, and was specially developed to meet Aramco's particular fleet management requirements. Providing a comprehensive range of operational data back to a central control point direct from the field on a daily basis, and eventually also with GPS (global positioning system) and tachograph feedback, it is one of the most modern and sophisticated systems, and one which will satisfy the management needs of a large and widely-dispersed crane fleet.

"Using a PCMIA-based data-storage and transfer system, with the capability to operate reliably in extreme temperatures, the data-logger works via the established Grove EKS and ECOS (electronic crane operating system).

"Another important part of the deal is a substantial product support and training programme which, with the involvement of Grove and Kanoo personnel in the Kingdom and at Grove's Wilhelmshaven production facility in northern Germany, includes provides up to 48 weeks of thorough operator and technical training.

Kanoo will provide the product and technical support for the machines from its three main service centres in Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah, plus numerous satellite facilities throughout the Kingdom.

Srini Kadaba of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo says: "We have been the Grove dealer for over 40 years and have sold several hundred cranes in this period, predominantly RT and truck cranes. This latest order is one of the results of our efforts in promoting the AT crane concept during the last 10 years.

"In conjunction with our customers, we have been able to evaluate the advantages of the modern AT crane concept in the tough climatic and operating conditions, often in remote locations, with difficult desert terrain and long travel distances.

"The AT cranes provide not only exceptional mobility and lifting performance, they have also proved that they can operate reliably and independently in this environment, and without the need for low-loader transport."

Regional director of Grove Worldwide Hamid Summers says that the order is further evidence of the strong Grove-dealer-customer relationship in the area.

Meanwhile, Grove recently launched the RT 9000E, a 115-tonne capacity rough terrain crane on the market.

"The new RT 9000E will compete with conventional crawler cranes and offers high capacity together with exceptional mobility, manoeuvrability and pick-and-carry capabilities not previously available on the job site," says Early. "It should prove to be a popular choice for bridge jobs and work in power and chemical plants as well as refineries and any other large construction projects."

The crane features a five-section, full power 12.8-48.7m Megaform (U-shaped) boom which provides 52 m maximum tip height on the main boom and 1.71-tonne lift capacity at 36.6m maximum radius. A standard 11-18 m lattice bi-fold extension is off-settable at 0, 20 and 40 degrees and stows alongside the base boom section. An optional 0 to 40-degree hydraulically off-settable bi-fold swingaway with the same dimensions is also available. In addition, two 8 m lattice extension inserts are also available, providing a maximum tip height of 85 m - an impressive height for a RT crane.

"Grove RT crane users will feel at home in the cab as it is common to all Grove E-series RT cranes. The cab provides 20-degree tilt and is a full-vision design with tinted safety glass throughout,'' he says. ''Familiar Grove armrest-mounted single-axis controllers provide precise operational control. Some of the other standard features include a hot water heater, cab circulating air fan, sliding side and rear windows, sliding skylight with electric wiper and adjustable sun screen. Air conditioning is available.

''A 'graphic display' load moment and anti-two block system with audiovisual warning and control lever lockout is standard. These systems provide electronic display of boom angle, length, radius, tip height, relative load moment, maximum permissible load, load indication and warning of impending two-block conditions. A standard Work Area Definition System allows the operator to pre-select and define safe working areas. If the crane approaches the pre-set limits, audio-visual warnings aid the operator in avoiding job site obstructions.

''Controls and indicators are provided for cab tilt, two swing speed selections and brake. A full complement of gauges is provided for engine functions. Other standard equipment includes dual rear view mirrors, electronic back-up alarm, hoist mirrors and a light package.

'The RT 9000E is powered by a Cummins QSC 8.3-litre six-cylinder diesel rated at 300 bhp (224 kW) at 2,200 rpm. The full powershift transmission provides six forward and three reverse speeds. Maximum speed is 39 km/h. Four main steering modes provide exceptional manoeuvrability: front only, rear only, crab and coordinated. Automatic full hydraulic lockouts on the rear axle permits 250 mm oscillation with the boom centered over the front.

''The outrigger system uses hydraulic single-stage box beam outriggers with inverted jacks and integral holding valves. Three outrigger positions are provided: retracted, 50 per cent and 100 per cent extension. Outrigger boxes are hydraulically pinned and are quick disconnect for easy removal and installation for transport purposes. The unit is designed for very easy transport and the standard 10.9-tonne counterweight as well as the optional 7.26-tonne counterweights which consist of two 3.63-tonne sections are all hydraulically installed and removed.

''Other features include a quick-reeving boom nose and a removable auxiliary boom nose with removable pin-type rope guard. Full aluminium decking is provided as well as hook block stowage and tie down lugs. Grove grooved drum main and auxiliary hoists are used and hook block and top swivel ball are standard.''

The dimensions of the RT 9000E are: overall length 16.15 m, overall height 4.14 m, and overall width 3.8 m. Chassis length is 9.7 m with outrigger boxes, and 8.13 m without.

''The new RT 9000E offers crane users a new dimension in rough terrain capacity; the mobility of an RT, familiar and operator-friendly Grove controls, in a package designed for easy transport, maintenance and serviceability,'' says Early. ''The unit is covered by Grove's worldwide 10-year structural warranty, and backed by Grove's industry-leading parts and service support.''