Pfeifer picks Grove AT for old mill job

Four three tonne blades were installed using the 150 tonne capacity Grove GMK5150XL all terrain

Dutch crane rental company Pfeifer Group chose a 150 tonne Grove all terrain crane for a delicate job to replace the blades on a windmill built in 1819.

The GMK5150XL carried out the restoration work in the Achterhoek region of the Netherlands. Renovation of the 200 year old Hermien Windmill, a local landmark in the small village of Harreveld, had to be completed before it was reopened to the public. Pfeifer’s involvement was to replace the windmill’s four sail blades, each of which weighed 3 tonnes.

The five axle crane was rigged with 55.9 metres of its maximum 68.7 metre boom and 12.5 tonnes of counterweight. It can carry up to 10.2 tonnes of counterweight and remain within 12 tonnes per axle.

It lifted and installed the blades at a radius of 18 metres.

The lifts on the 200 year old windmill were made at an 18 metre radius.

Precise performance

Commenting on the job Gerrit Pfeifer, director and owner, said, “On this project the precision of the Crane Control System on the GMK5150XL gave us full confidence in handling the work on such a delicate, historical monument. The crane has excellent reach and strength and it was straightforward to transport to the jobsite, set up, and then tear down. We are proud to play a role in preserving such an important piece of local history.”

Pfeifer has Grove cranes in capacities from 50 to 300 tonnes. In late 2025 it took delivery of six new units, including the GMK5150XL, GMK5250XL-1, and GMK6300L-1 models.

Pfeifer Group’s Grove GMK5150XL with its 68.7 metre boom extended to 55.9 metres to lift the windmill blades