Greif uses Grove GMK4100 on solar tower

German contractor Greif used a 100 tonne capacity all terrain crane to install thermal storage tanks at a company headquarters in Marburg.

The Grove GMK4100 was used to lift and place 23 thermal storage tanks for a new solar power plant that will supply heat and energy to the office. Greif worked through the night to minimise disruption. The tanks were lifted at a radius of 11 m using 27.8 m of boom and a full complement of 26.1 tonnes of counterweight.

The GMK4100 is the only crane Greif owns. It is a family business based in Lahntal-Sterzhausen and managed jointly by brothers Michael and Frank Greif. Their father, Helmut, founded the company in 1965 and is still involved. The company specializes in the installation of prefabricated houses, handling all phases of the construction process including design, manufacture and installation.

Helmut Greif said replacing the company's older crane at the end of last year was necessary to meet changing market conditions. "We've been in the prefab construction business for nearly 50 years, and obviously much has changed in our industry throughout that time," he said. "For instance, we now design and construct much larger prefab sections to incorporate heat insulation into the prefab houses. And the introduction of renewable energy technology into our designs gives us another challenge. But the GMK4100 is a perfect crane for us. So far it's met all of our expectations."