Trailer crane lifts large window

Connecticut, USA-based crane equipment sales, rental, and service company Innovativ Hoisting, which is the North American dealer for Böcker trailer cranes and incline lifts, used a Böcker AHK 36 trailer crane to help install one of the largest replacement stained glass windows in the USA, at St. Anne’s Church in Waterbury, Connecticut.

The window comprised three sections, each weighing up to 680 kg (1,500 lbs) which were hoisted using the AHK 36 and a wireless remote control to eliminate any blind spots for the crane operator.

When the crane was finished, a Böcker Junior inclined lift was extended 15 m (49 ft) to hoist other parts of the frame and the stained glass for installation.

Böcker describes its AHK 36 as a hybrid trailer crane as it is made from aluminium and high-strength steel. As a result, it has a lifting height of up to 36 m and can lift loads up to 2.4 tonnes (5,290 lbs).

The integrated hydraulic cylinder provides a smooth telescoping of the mast under high loads, said Böcker.

The crane’s control technology includes: automatic superstructure control with an outrigger auto-levelling function; control over the rotation and set-up angle of the mast package during operation; and a ‘go home’ function for easy dismantling. A mast-mounted camera is available as an optional extra.