Tadano crane lifts Bullhead into position at Wacken festival

A Tadano ATF 100 G-4 crane has been brought in to assist with set up at the Wacken heavy metal music festival.

Located in northern Germany, the annual event features some of the leading names in heavy metal music. To support the acts, stages, platforms and technical equipment must be erected at height around the grounds.

Lifting the Bullhead into place at the Wacken festival (Photo: Tadano)

Part of this includes installation of the Bullhead, a steel skull which measure about 10 metres in height and weighs around 2.5 tonnes. This festival landmark is positioned over the main stage during the festival.

For this year’s event, crane rental company Wilhelm was given the task of raising the Bullhead into place. For this they used the Tadano ATF 100 G-4, together with a Tadano HK 50, used for additional assembly work.

“You have to operate with great precision and bring the load to the crew extremely carefully,” said Marco Levin, a crane operator.

Markus Olma, head of Stage Construction, added, “The guys are up there at 28 metres on catwalks only 60 centimetres wide, and then this 2.5-tonne piece comes floating in. It’s a real challenge.”

On the day of the lift, an 11-metres per second cross wind was affecting the festival grounds. As the wind dropped, the skull and then the two horns were lifted into place, with the crane using its full 26.5-tonne counterweight to improve stability.

“Marko handled the skull lift masterfully today,” said Olma. “Hats off to him, he is truly a superb crane operator.”