Two Böcker AK 48 truck cranes were deployed at the Münster Waste Management facilities’ depot, in Münster, Germany, to assist in the removal of a wind turbine from a workshop chimney.
The turbine, weighing around 750kg and with a rotor diameter of about 4m, had been installed in 2014 to generate energy and was a local landmark.
It was dismantled after suitable service providers for the necessary maintenance could no longer be found.
The operation involved workers accessing a height of nearly 20m.
HaGo Dachtechnik, a roofing company based in near-by Nottuln, brought its own Böcker AK 48 crane to secure and lift the turbine.
At the same time Böcker Rental Services supplied a second AK 48 crane, this time set up with the PK 600-D access platform.
This arrangement allowed roofers safe access to the turbine’s mounting bolts and connection points.
A key challenge was managing load security while ensuring safe access at height, particularly in windy conditions.
The process required one crane to stabilise the turbine while the other provided a working platform.
Once preparations were complete, the turbine was removed from the chimney and lowered to the ground for transport.
The Böcker AK 48 crane is designed for payloads up to 3t, with an optional capacity of 6t. It achieves extension lengths up to 49m, or 52m with additional equipment, allowing it to manage heavy lifts beyond typical roofing work.
With a payload capacity of up to 600kg, a reach of 25.1m and a working height up to 43.6m, the access platform was used to transport technicians, tools, and materials directly to the turbine site.
The equipment also features fast setup, compact outriggers, and a hydraulic system capable of delivering hook speeds of 60m/min.
The AK 48 can be converted for use as either a crane or an aerial work platform, and has several drive variants, including PTO drive, hybrid, and battery-powered options.
In March 2025, Böcker unveiled its new AK 48e hybrid crane, equipped with a 30kWh battery, at stand FS.1203/2 during Bauma.
