- Dutch crane rental company Gaffert called on one of its Grove GMK5250XL-1 cranes for a challenging high-rise lift on a prestigious office development.
- The crane’s class-leading boom and jib capabilities meant it was the ideal choice for the work.
Dutch crane and transport company Gaffert called in its long-boom Grove GMK5250XL-1 for some delicate high-rise lifting work in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam. The crane was the perfect choice for the precise placement of new glass panels at the Edge, an office development once dubbed ‘The Smartest Building in the World’.
To install new panels in the spectacular glass atrium at the top of the building, the GMK5250XL-1 was rigged with its full main boom of 78.5 m, the 17.8 m hydraulic bi-fold swingaway jib, and an additional 8 m jib extension. Working with 70 t of counterweight, the crane lifted multiple glass panels, each weighing 600 kg, at a radius of 78 m. During the lift, the main boom was set at 45º, while the hydraulic jib was positioned at 50º.
Thanks to its class‑leading boom length and flexible jib, the GMK5250XL‑1 proved to be the ideal solution for the job. Its unique combination of reach, capacity, and precise control allowed Gaffert to carry out the installation efficiently — despite the challenging lift conditions and the high-profile nature of the project.
“The Grove GMK5250XL-1 was the only crane for this job. It’s got a 78.5 m main boom, the longest on a 250 t capacity crane, and we were able to use it with the hydraulic luffing jib, which we offset to its maximum 50º, providing a unique combination of capabilities. Positioning glass panels on the roof of such a prestigious development adds pressure, but we had complete confidence in our GMK5250XL-1, and it delivered excellent performance again,” said Theo Gaffert, owner and director of Gaffert.
Source: The Manitowoc Company.
