27.07.2026

450 tonner in old Bruges

Belgian crane rental company Gheysens used a 450 tonne Tadano AC 7.450-1 for a lift in central Bruges after the original crane booked for the job, a 160 tonner proved unsuitable.

The company had initially planned to set up the 160 tonner on the street alongside the Belfry of Bruges, but due to the ground proving to be too unstable, the company decided to move the entire operation further back from the monument and brought in the AC 7.450-1 with a longer reach.

The seven axle AC 7.450-1 was configured with its 80 metre main boom, working at a 35 metre radius and a 67.7 metre lift height. It was rigged during a night shift in SSL superlift configuration with 120 tonnes of counterweight, with the team completing the set-up ahead of the daytime operation.

Managing director Miguel Gheysens said: “Combining the compact dimensions of a six axle crane with the power of an eight axle model, it proved to be the ideal machine for Bruges’ narrow city centre. Even setting up the Sideway Superlift system worked well in the confined space.”

“We had the AC 7.450-1 set up and ready for action by 9:30, so we could look forward to the afternoon’s operation with peace of mind. Being able to execute a job like this to absolute perfection right in the heart of our beautiful city naturally made us all very happy.”