A Liebherr MK 88-4.1E mobile construction crane has been used to install heavy noise barriers along the Rhine Valley railway line between Karlsruhe and Basel in Germany.
The crane, operated by Arthur Bannasch Transporte GmbH, lifted elements weighing up to 900 kilograms at distances of 43 metres. It was chosen for the job because a mobile crane with a telescopic boom could not operate in the tight conditions on site.
The crane was set up next to a six-metre-high streetlight without affecting road traffic, meaning no closures were needed.
Crane operator Steffen Held, who has been working with the machine for two years, said he installed about 30 noise barrier elements during the project.
“I had to use my crane to install around 30 elements, each weighing 900 kilograms, for the new noise barrier. The largest radius was 43 metres,” Steffen said.
The heaviest parts were steel wall frames weighing around 2.8 tonnes, which were installed at up to 36 metres. Steffen controlled the crane remotely from the track bed.
“Firstly, I can guide the load very precisely from here when threading it into the racks and secondly, we were able to work very quickly because I could lend a hand when unhooking the load. I did the slinging all by myself anyway. Only one other worker from the construction company was needed for the entire operation,” he said.
Although the two tracks under construction were not yet open to trains, there was still traffic on nearby lines. Steffen said the crane’s control system was programmed so that loads never crossed active train tracks. “That is of course a major safety aspect,” he said.
Steffen said he often prefers operating the crane by remote control, especially when installing large equipment such as air conditioning systems. He also uses site power when possible to reduce noise.
“Whenever I spot a site power distributor on the construction site, I ask if I can plug in there,” he said. “Everyone on the construction site is always delighted and enjoys the silence.”
Armin Bannasch, Managing Director of Arthur Bannasch Transporte GmbH, said the company’s two MK 88-4.1 cranes are used in a wide variety of jobs.
“We always have enough work for our two MK88-4.1s,” Armin said. “The cranes are mostly used for green roofs, the construction of prefabricated houses, steel erection and, increasingly, for the installation of air conditioning units.”
Steffen added that winter work includes tree felling.
“With the 45 metre boom, I can get very deep into the gardens from the road,” he said. Along with the mobile construction cranes, the company also runs smaller Liebherr cranes, transport vehicles and several lorries with loader cranes.