Buildings reach for skies at former HK airport site
10 December 2014 by Daniel SearleHong Kong’s Chinney Construction is using a Liebherr 160 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing jib crane for a tower block project in what was formerly Kai Tak International Airport.
When completed, the block will be one of the tallest buildings in the Kai Tak site, which ceased operation in 1998 when the airport was relocated to Chek Lap Kok.
Due to aircraft formerly cruising at roof level, buildings in the surrounding area were originally limited to six storeys in height. The height restriction has now been increased to 100m, and a number of high-rise projects have been planned.
The Liebherr 160 HC-L Litronic crane, which Chinney is renting for 13 months, is working on a tower block which will have 33 storeys and stand at 95m.
William Tang, sales manager for Liebherr Tower Cranes, said: "The luffing jib was important because of the small footprint of the site.
"We have used a single-reeved hook operation for maximum speed, the infinitely-variable high-performance drive mechanism being able to handle high load capacities.
"This saves time and it saves power when you are building a high-rise structure that has standard floor designs and is located on a small plot."
