25.07.2012

First Challenger in the Netherlands

Rotterdam-based De Gier BV has bought the first 55 tonne class Terex Challenger 3160 in the Netherlands. Founded in 1931 the family-owned company has been in the lifting business for more than 80 years providing a complete transport, lift and rental package.

Elder son and company owner Richard De Gier who focuses on the operational side of the company’s business said: “Profitability of the Challenger is good, which is a big asset in a down market, and it is powerful enough to do jobs that larger cranes usually do and it costs less to operate.”

Crane operator Ramco Remhorst likes the crane’s handling and roomy cab. De Gier chose the 3160 to help dismantle components of a gantry crane weighing 10,200kg at 10 metre radius from a height of 12 meters instead of using a larger capacity crane.
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The Challenger 3160 has a 50 metre boom and a maximum lifting capacity of 35.6 tonnes at four meters.

“The 3160 is very versatile, fast to set-up and easy to operate by a single operator, which means more lifts in a day – sometimes as many as three,” said De Gier. “Its boom length is outstanding, and having that reach without adding a jib saves a lot of time and money, which benefits both customers and our business.”

“We use the Challenger 3160 in all sorts of applications from general construction and scaffolding work, to the placement of air-conditioning units, satellite dishes and aerials. Another task that this crane excels at is as an auxiliary crane for large AT cranes. For example, we used it recently to rig an AC 350 in luffing jib and SSL configuration.”
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Company owner Richard De Gier (L) with operator Ramco Remhorst

“It’s very compact - and as road regulations are getting stricter, its ability to travel within 12 tonne axle load limitations is something that we see as being very important today and in the future here in the Netherlands.”

The Challenger 3160 has a 50 metre single-cylinder telescopic boom and a maximum lifting capacity of 35.6 tonnes when working with a reach of four meters. It can be operated independently by a single person while remaining under an axle load limit of 12 tonnes. For countries with a maximum axle load limit of 10 tonnes, the crane can set down its own counterweight, keeping the unit’s total service weight under 30 tonnes.