A GMK6300L all-terrain crane dismantled two wind turbines in a day at a site in northern Germany, demonstrating its ease of use and setup speed. The 300 t crane continues to prove a hit because its 80 m boom is quick to deploy, allowing the company to complete more jobs in less time.
The 300 t capacity crane is owned and operated by Heider Kranverleih and is working primarily in the area surrounding its home town of Heide in the northern tip of Germany.
For its recent wind turbine job, Heider Kranverleih rigged the crane with its 38 t capacity heavy lift jib. Having this capacity allowed the crane to handle the work that the company had previously assigned to a 500 t capacity crane in its fleet. The 500 t crane has a 50 m boom but to get the same reach and capacity, it had to be rigged with its 14 m jib extension, a lengthy process that also involved bringing more vehicles to the jobsite. The GMK6300L streamlines this process for Heider Kranverleih, much to the delight of Frank Kulbe, the company’s managing director.
“The GMK6300L is one of the most efficient and powerful cranes in its class,” he explains. “That cuts costs for our business by allowing us to take on more work – and with less complication on site. In a little over an hour, we can have the crane set up and ready to lift. This speed and service means our customers are happy – and so are we.”
Dismantling the wind turbines took place at the Simonsberg wind park near Husum, northern Germany. To begin, the GMK6300L removed the rotor blades of the Enercon windmills in a single 24 t lift, from a height of 42 m and working at a radius of 14 m. The 5 t gearbox was also removed before the crane performed the same process on a second windmill.
In addition to its lifting capabilities and quick set up, Frank Kulbe also likes the on-the-road benefits of the GMK6300L.
“Transporting the crane is simple for us and comfortable for the driver and crew,” he says. “Its powerful engine ensures a good traveling speed of up to 85 km/h and it can traverse almost any terrain. The new design cab makes even long trips very comfortable.”
The GMK6300L six-axle carrier features the MEGATRAK independent, hydro-pneumatic suspension system and all-wheel drive. The updated cab can comfortably accommodate up to three crew and improvements have been made to the visibility, heating, air conditioning, aerodynamics and noise reduction.
As part of the Kronschnabel Group, Heider Kranverleih offers lifting services up to 800 t across northern Germany and heavy transport services to the international market.