New Wilbert tower cranes on Opernturm project

GERMANY: Contractor Züblin has begun construction on the Opernturm, a new high rise in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Assisting in the building of the 557 foot structure are two new model Wilbert tower cranes. The new WT 300 e.tronic units will grow taller with the building until its completion, which is scheduled for the fall of 2009.

The WT 300 e.tronic can be transported on three trailers, including the complete slewing section and the 70 meter jib. All safety relevant measuring systems have back-up systems, and a modem transmits the operating data collected directly to the technician. The machine can be configured with 18 jib lengths between 25 and 70 meters and can be assembled in 2.5 meter steps by the combination of eight jib sections.

On the Opernturm job site, the two WT 300s, which have a maximum load capacity of 16 tons and a top capacity of 4 tons at a 70 meter radius, will be assembled with 45 meter (8 tons) and 50 meters (7.1 tons) jib lengths. The first unit has a free-standing height under hook of 79 meters (259 feet). With its 50 meter jib, it will assemble the second unit, which was set to be erected in July.

By the time the building is topped out, hook heights of 200 meters (656 feet) and 186 meters (610 feet) will be reached. The WT 300 e.tronic needs only three building attachments at this height. When the building is about half of its height, standard 45 kilowatt hoist units will be exchanged for 110 kilowatt high-rise hoist units, which are part of the Wilbert building set.

A third Wilbert crane on the jobsite is a WT 205L e.tronic, the first type of Wilbert luffing jib crane. It has a 60 meter luffing jib and a 40.5 meter height under hook.