Wenker gantry crane modernized in record-breaking seven weeks

The Wenker gantry crane getting on in years with a load capacity of 35 tons and a span of 2 x 12 tons used by a Hessian construction company, the Faber & Schnepp Hoch- und Tiefbau GmbH & Co. KG, was to be modernized completely.

At first, the gantry crane (year of construction 1971) was dismounted on its place of origin in Langgöns, Hesse, then being transported to the production halls of Teichmann Krane in the city of Essen for overhauling and retrofitting. Owing to the extensive retrofitting measures planned including an increase of the load capacity and for not disturbing the ongoing operations of the customer, reconstruction on site was not possible. At the location in Essen, the steel construction and the supports of the gantry crane were overhauled completely, including partial sand-blasting and mechanical rust removal, and subsequently applied with a new coating.

Turn old into new

In parallel, the present reach of the crane was extended by 2.7 m and the load capacity was increased from the former 2 x 12 tons to 2 x 16 tons now. In addition, the entire electrics of the crane, including the wiring and the trailing cable installation, were renewed, and the existing control system was converted to a PLC control with integrated remote maintenance module. The crane was provided with new switchboards and new LED lighting. Moreover, two new trolleys as well as a new crane drive system were engineered and manufactured at the location of Teichmann Krane in Essen.

It took only seven weeks from the disassembly up to the reassembly and commissioning of the crane.