Australian Government Deploys Grove RT540E To Davis Station In Antarctic

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The Australian government has deployed a sixth Grove RT540E rough-terrain crane at Davis station in the Antarctic where it will be used for loading and unloading supply cargo, as well as construction tasks for the station’s infrastructure. (Photo courtesy of Manitowoc.)

Grove parent company Manitowoc recently announced that the Australian government deployed a Grove RT540E rough-terrain crane at Davis Station in the Antarctic. Located 2,250 nautical miles southwest of Perth, Davis Station is the southernmost of the four research stations in the Australian Antarctic Program. The site resides in one of the harshest climates in the world, with temperatures sometimes reaching -76˚F (-60 °C). The station conducts research on climate, weather, ecosystems, ice, and animals to understand the role of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the global climate system. The RT540E, along with five other Grove rough-terrain cranes at the site will be used for loading and unloading supply cargo and to carry out construction tasks for the station’s infrastructure.

About The Grove RT540E

The RT540E has a 40-ton (35-metric-ton) capacity with 102-foot (31-meter) four-section full-power boom. The crane also has an optional 26-45-foot (8–13.7-meter) offsettable telescopic swingaway providing a max tip height of 154 feet (47 meters). The shape of the crane’s rectangular boom (which is made from 100 ksi steel) decreases its weight while boosting lifting capacity.

Extra Protection

The crane at Davis Station is fitted with Grove’s optional arctic weather package, which includes low-viscosity synthetic oils and 240-volt heaters on the engine, batteries, and hydraulic tanks.

“The RT540E is a very resilient crane and we equipped it with the optional arctic weather package to enable it to work in temperatures down to a maximum of -40 degrees C,” says Federico Lovera, Manitowoc’s regional product manager for rough-terrain cranes. “On station, operators use the crane at temperatures no lower than -20 degrees C.”

Source: Manitowoc