07.04.2009

Big new Wolff

Wolffkran unveiled its Wolff 1250 B, 1500 tonne/metre luffing jib tower crane with up to 60 tonne lift capacity and 80 metre jib on Friday.

Wolffkran says that it is reacting to the growing demand for extra large ‘XXL’ luffing cranes for the erection of power stations and structural engineering projects. The first of the new heavyweights will go to work on a site in Germany later this year.
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Wolffkran's largest luffing tower crane the Wolff 1250B

The new crane can handle its 60 tonne maximum capacity at a radius of 25 metres making it a true heavyweight. The counter-jib has a relatively compact length of just 9.8 metres, permitting its use in many locations with restricted space. To minimise re-reeving time when changing from two to three rope operation for heavier loads the company has developed something it calls ‘re-reeving assistance’ which, it says has been registered for design protection.

Given modern productivity demands, the new crane is equipped with an enhanced 132 kW hoisting gear, and can handle 20 tonnes on single line, 40 tonnes with two falls of cable and 60 tonnes in three fall operation. An extra four-fall operation for 80 tonnes is also possible.

When used on single line work, which given its high line pull, will be most of the time, hook speeds are 190 metres a minute, “Which presently constitutes the all-time highest score for this XXL - crane group,” says Ulrich Dörzbach, Wolffkran managing director. And adds: “it is also step less and without changing gears!”

With a standard rope capacity of almost 1,000 metres on the hoist drum, the crane can be deployed for building heights of up to 800 metres in single fall operation, 400 metres in two fall and even 260 metres in three fall operation for loads up to 60 t.

When it comes to transport and set up the Wolff 1250 B can, considering its size, can be erected quickly and economically. “For the first time it is our aim, that a crane of this order of magnitude can be erected completely within two days”, says Dörzbach.
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The 80 metre jib comes in for connection

This is helped by the fact that the main components weigh no more than 15 tonnes,
- A new assembly assistance hoist for the reeving of the ropes.
- A new and simple connection concept allows for a quick and safe assembly of the machine platforms.
- The crane can be electrically rotated before the final installation.
- The upper tower top can also be folded for easy transport, ideal for shipping overseas.

Dr.Peter Schiefer, chief executive and joint owner of Wolffkran says: “We are prepared to build 10 to 15 of these cranes per year to keep pace with demand”