‘Red giants’ over Schwandorf

For the renovation of the waste incineration plant, these giants are to be used demolition work starting in 2026 and then throughout the entire construction phase until around 2031.

An article by Konrad Rieger, Technical Director at ZMS

^{©ZMS-aktuell} 

Our major TRIPHÖNIX project continues to cast its shadow. In one case, this shadow is particularly long, namely in the case of the two necessary construction cranes. These are to be used for the demolition work starting in 2026 and then throughout the entire construction phase until around 2031. After examining the economic viability, taking into account the resale value, ZMS decided not to rent the cranes, but to purchase them. Following a corresponding tender, the company BBL from Friedrichsthal in Saarland emerged as the winner. It is already in the process of completely rebuilding the two cranes for our project.

 

The dimensions of the systems with the melodious name ‘WOTAN 75247.64/4’ are truly impressive:

Tower height to the cabin:	55 m
Max. total height:	118 m
With boom raised:	130 m
Jib length:	63 m and 78 m
Max. reach (hook):	60 m and 75 m
Max. load at full reach:	24 t and 32 t
Max. load at min. reach:	64 t
Gross cost:	€7.4 million

 

These are so-called ‘top-slewing’ cranes, constructed as ‘luffing jib’ cranes. 

The crane sites are located west of the waste bunker between the MES crane runway and the lubricant storage facility (crane 1) and north of the RGR 4 (crane 2) and can also be seen in the following pictures.

 

©ZMS- aktuell	©ZMS- aktuell
Crane Standing Area 1	Crane Standing Area2

Of course, such ‘monster machines’ cannot simply be parked on the asphalt surface. Rather, they require massive, statically precisely calculated concrete foundations of approx. 180 and 260 m3, respectively, in which the corresponding fastening anchors are firmly embedded. In order for the crane assembly to take place from around mid-November 2025, work on the foundations must begin in July if possible. However, a further challenge has arisen in that various sewer and water pipes as well as a gas pipe located there must first be relocated or at least secured. This is now being done very promptly.

As we are currently still on schedule, we expect that by the end of this year, the two ‘red giants’ will become a reality as Schwandorf's new landmark, visible from afar for years to come!