Roofing contractor Büschkes adds a Böcker AK 46 truck crane

Compact truck, long reach

The AK 46 is built on a Mercedes Actros chassis and comes in at a gross weight of just 26 tonnes, which keeps it manoeuvrable on the residential streets where most roofing work happens. Maximum payload is 3 t, rising to 6 t optionally, with extension lengths of 44 m as standard and 46 m optionally. At 250 kg the crane reaches out to 39 m — enough to place material on rear roof slopes and building faces that cannot be approached directly.

Lighting is specified for winter working: LED all-round and load-deck illumination plus work lamps on the boom knuckle. The PK 350-D man basket converts the crane into a work platform in a few minutes using the EasyLock system, taking up to three people or 350 kg. In platform mode the AK 46 works to 39 m height and 33 m outreach, which opens up installation and repair jobs the company previously had to sub-contract or scaffold.

The crane is connected to the BöckerConnect portal, giving the owner location and performance data plus geofencing, route tracking, usage statistics and current diagnostic data.

Fifth-generation family firm

Büschkes has been running Böcker equipment for more than a decade. Managing director André Büschkes, who leads the family business in the fifth generation, collected the crane with his whole team, combining the handover with operator instruction and a tour of the Böcker production halls.

“The truck crane is an enormous physical relief for our staff, and in the platform they can work safely and ergonomically. That creates an attractive working environment, particularly for younger people. With the AK 46 we can now take on projects that would not have been feasible without it. It is an investment in the future of our business.”

— André Büschkes, managing director, Hans-Dieter Büschkes GmbH & Co. KG

Working two sites at once

The point of the purchase was not to replace the existing AHK 36 trailer crane but to run alongside it.

“Now we are set up even more flexibly. We do repairs in platform mode and material transport with the crane — and in parallel on two different sites.”

— André Büschkes

Early utilisation appears to bear the decision out. “In the first three weeks the crane was out very often,” Büschkes said, adding that his staff were visibly pleased when they got to use the machine.

Source: Böcker — Photos: Böcker