Turbines at the wind farm consisted of housing weighing 58t, and individual tower sections weighing 33t apiece. The turbines’ three-blade hubs weighed 36t.
The Terex AC 500-2 can lift 500t at a 3m radius, has a main boom extension of 6-30m, and can have a maximum system length of 145.8m when equipped with a luffing fly jib. Schuch Group’s AC 500-2, which is being operated by AKV Kranvermietung, was worked with 180t of counterweight and a 36m jib to extend the crane’s main boom and adjust the crane’s SSL to an angle of 30°.
Crane operator Andreas Portz said the AC 500-2 was used to make work on the wind farm easier, with a high load capacity, quick setup time and easier manoeuvrability on site. “The reason we used the AC 500 is that comparable cranes in this class were simply too weak,” said Portz.
“Also, manoeuvrability is just as important as the crane’s available power. The AC 500’s carrier measures just under 17m, and the star-type outriggers help save even more space, which makes our work much easier.”
Schuch Group said its AC 500-2 all terrain crane will be used for overhauling and rebuilding work for customers in the heavy industry and wind power sectors.
“Our 500t unit enables us to carry out a number of operations that previously would only have been possible with either a crane belonging to a higher capacity class or a crawler crane,” said Stefan Schuch, managing director of Krandienst Schuch.
“Of course it’s fun to operate such a large crane, but it goes without saying that the crane’s first and foremost goal is to make money. The bottom line is that its quick setup times and low transportation costs pay for themselves.”
