10.01.2012

15 Potains for Zechbau

Schreiber Baumaschinen, the Potain crane dealer for northern Germany has sold 15 top slewing tower cranes to Zechbau, Schreiber’s largest single tower order in its 70-year history.

General contractor Zechbau says that it studied the market closely before selecting the Potain cranes and that its final decision was driven by a number of issues, including technical engineering points, a strong product support service and a tailored purchase program put together by Manitowoc Finance. On top of this the company already had a strong relationship with Schreiber.

Peter Feldhaus, construction manager at Zechbau, added some detail on the technical issues: “The arrangement of the mast connection pins and fixed markings on the boom and mast ensure a fast erection time. Also, the cranes’ compact transport configuration, where the cab swings inwards, means smaller loading dimensions for easier transport. All drives are frequency controlled and allow operations to continue even at low currents. And, because of the counterweight’s two-part design, the ballast carrier is easy to unfold without additional pinning.”

The 15 units include seven MDT 218 A cranes, three MDT 308s, two MDT 128s and an MDT 178, from the Potain topless crane line, plus two MD 365s from the standard top slewing range. Capacities for the cranes range from 6 to 16 tonnes, while maximum jib lengths range from 55 to 75 metres.

Zechbau has already allocated the new cranes to projects, including two major construction sites in Düsseldorf. Four of the MDT 218 A cranes, which have a maximum capacity of 10 tonnes, are performing general lift duties on the new Vodafone global headquarters project. The cranes are working with jibs of between 40 and 55 metres, with final working heights ranging from 46 up to 97 metres.
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(L-R) Peter Feldhaus, Ulf Hoppe and Burkhard Schmidt of Zechbau with Gerd Haladuda of Manitowoc, Heinz-Rüdiger Broehl and Bernd Burzlaff of Schreiber at the new Vodafone construction project.

The 110,000 square metre Vodafone complex will include a 19 storey tower, offices, restaurants and an underground car park. It is expected to complete in December.

The other project in Düsseldorf, using one MDT 308 and two MD 365 cranes, is a 76,000 square metre retail and office development, the Kö-Bogen. The cranes are working with jibs of between 55 and 70 metres, while final working heights will range between 44 and 58 metres.

The job is due to complete in September 2013 and includes two 26 metre buildings that will house retail, office and restaurant facilities with a four storey underground car park.

Schreiber Baumaschinen covers the northern areas of Lower Saxony and Bremen In addition to Potain the company represents Merlo telehandlers, Gehl compact equipment and runs a rental fleet which includes cranes, telehandlers and aerial lifts.