Böcker electric crane completes construction project

Böcker electric crane on site in Lüdinghausen (Photo: Böcker)

Building contractor Tischlerei & Holzbau Hüser has successfully completed a three-day trial of a Böcker AK 48e truck crane.

The crane was used to assist in construction of a timber-frame house in Lüdinghausen, Germany. The contractor noted that the compact dimensions of the crane helped with negotiating the narrow streets and tight building site.

In one case, the crane had to negotiate a driveway with a width of just 3.07 metres.

In the confined space, the variable outrigger of the Böcker AK allowed the crane to be set up safely, while also maximising its reach. Each outrigger can be extended and positioned independently; some were placed on neighbouring driveways.

A reach preview based on sensors measuring outrigger extension helped the operator choose the best setup. The recommendations provided a stable base and the reach needed to lift prefabricated building elements, even on the far side of the plot.

Among the heaviest components were seven external wall elements. Each weighed around 1.6 tonnes due to the multi-layer construction. The crane also positioned seven further external walls, each weighing 950 kg, along with all the internal walls and five multi-layer solid timber floor panels each of which weighed about 485 kg.

Sensors in the boom and outriggers continuously monitored the crane’s stability, measuring the outrigger positions, suspended load, extension length and boom position.

The crane’s reach meant the entire building could be assembled from a single position, avoiding any repositioning. The hydraulic system and electric winch, which has a hook speed of 60 m/min, helped to keep work moving along at pace.

Power for the Böcker AK 48e comes from a 30 kWh battery that can be charged from a 230 V or 400 V supply. The system can recover energy when lowering loads which, together with the battery capacity, allows the crane to work for a full day without recharging.

In battery mode, it can deliver more than eight hours of average use or 150 lifts with a 1,000 kg load over 35 metres.

Electric operation was particularly useful in this application, due to the reduced operating noise. The AK 48e is highly suited to projects where noise and emissions are a concern.