Manitowoc launches upFLEX RCL upgrade for older Grove cranes

Successor to three iFLEX units

First shown at ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas earlier this year, the upFLEX rated capacity limiter (RCL) is now available to order. It directly replaces the iFLEX5 (LI5G), iFLEX5 (CGMK) and iFLEX2 (LSQG) units that monitored lifting duties on two decades of Grove rough-terrain and truck crane production. Manitowoc estimates that around 13,000 machines in the field are eligible for the upgrade.

The new unit carries a 7-inch console with controls that let the operator cycle through working screens and operating modes. Because one upFLEX system covers the full range of Grove rough-terrain and truck cranes previously served by the older iFLEX models, mixed fleets get the same screen layout and logic across machines of different ages and types.

Plug-and-play installation

Installation has been kept deliberately simple: the RCL connects straight to the crane’s CAN bus via the on-board Ethernet connection, so no rewiring of the crane is needed. For rental houses and contractors running older Grove cranes, that means a current load management system can be fitted without taking the machine out of service for long.

“We’re excited to bring the upFLEX RCL to market. We got lots of interest from visitors when we introduced the unit at CONEXPO 2026 and we know customers want to extend the life of their proven and capable Grove cranes – upgrading with upFLEX is a great way to do that. The plug-and-play design allows owners to harness the latest load management technology in a fast and straightforward way.”

— Matt Wong, VP of customer support, Manitowoc

Ordering through Grove dealers

The retrofit fits Manitowoc’s wider push to keep its installed base earning rather than lose older cranes to obsolete electronics. Crane owners can order the upFLEX system through their local Grove dealer.