The mobile crane landscape is on the brink of a transformation with the introduction of the Mercedes OM 936 engine into the mighty Franna Pick and Carry Crane, set to redefine the performance and environmental footprint of all mobile cranes. Slated for release in July 2024 in all Franna crane models, this cutting-edge engine represents a strategic shift towards cleaner and more efficient operations.

From July 1st 2024, Australia will enforce Australian Design Rule (ADR) 80/03, which aims to decrease the amount of noxious emissions released from heavy vehicles. Australia bases its standards off the European Union onroad standards.

Going beyond adherence to just the current Australian emission standards, Franna is forging ahead, eyeing the future by aligning with the forthcoming ADR 80/04 standard scheduled for introduction in November 2025, modeled after the European Euro VI onroad standards.

But Franna’s journey didn’t stop there.  Due to Franna's growing global presence, the quest for an engine complying with both the rigorous European Union nonroad standards and the stringent USA EPA Standards became imperative. This presented a formidable challenge, considering the EU and USA impose far more exacting standards compared to Australia. Presently, the EU adheres to Euro VI standards for onroad vehicles and Stage V standards for nonroad vehicles, while the USA mandates Tier 4 Final standards for both onroad and nonroad vehicles. For reference, a mobile crane falls under the category of nonroad vehicles owing to its extensive 70% utilisation onsite.

Franna engineers collaborated closely with Penske, the Australian dealer for Mercedes-Benz engines, resulting in the selection of the OM 936 engine, which meets the demanding criteria of EU Stage V, US Tier 4 Final, and ADR 80/04.  The OM 936 engine is also available compliant with the Euro VI onroad standard, although the Stage V nonroad standard is deemed by the EU to be the best standard for a mobile crane application, and this has also been accepted by ADR.

While other engines were considered by Franna, the Mercedes was once again chosen as it has shown proven reliability since its introduction in 2003, and the OM 936 had over twice the engine braking performance of other engines evaluated without the need to add the additional complexity and heat load of a transmission retarder.

The first Mercedes OM 936 engine made its way into Australia in 2015 with Liebherr cranes as a nonroad Stage V and has been a staple onroad Euro VI compliant engine in trucks and buses ever since. 

Clayton McPherson, Principal Engineer for Franna explains “The choice of the Mercedes OM 936 engine is a deliberate move toward meeting emissions standards not just for now, but also the foreseeable future, while maintaining the high-performance and quality Franna is known for.”

The Mercedes OM 936 engine signifies more than just an upgrade for Franna cranes; it symbolises a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and growth.