Swiss company Clausen Kran AG knows all about using cranes in the Alps. A wide array of factors must be considered in the planning process. Clausen places its trust in Liebherr cranes with innovative technology – and is able to complete all sorts of complicated work in difficult terrain.
Simplon Pass
The Simplon Pass is in the Pennine Alps and is open to traffic all year round. This is made possible by several protective galleries which are structures to protect traffic routes from avalanches or landslides. Part of one of the galleries on the Simplon Pass at an altitude of around 2,000 m is now to be removed and replaced by a new structure.
Due to the lack of space, a crane had to be used on this site which can operate on the roof of the gallery. For static reasons the crane had to meet several specifications in terms of weight and size. It also had to provide good manoeuvrability and adequate load capacities. Clausen’s Liebherr LTR 1060 telescopic crawler crane, an off-road crane with excellent manoeuvrability and compact with high load capacities was ideal for this job.
Liebherr LTR 1060
The first stage was to saw the concrete of the old gallery into sections. The task of the LTR 1060 in this was to hold and secure the blocks of concrete during the sawing process. The 60-tonner then loaded the concrete sections weighing between 7 t and 22 t on to waiting trucks. This allowed the telescopic crawler crane to show off its great strength, namely moving with the load on the hook. Around 110 t to 140 t of concrete could be sawn up and removed on a single day. The crane was then moved to a lower level where it removed the supports for the gallery.
Clausen Kran AG
Clausen Kran AG is a family company which first opened for business in 1972 in Brig in Wallis. The company characteristics include its many years of experience and competent, motivated team. Its modern, well maintained fleet consists of four Liebherr cranes and two heavy transport vehicles. The smallest crane is an LTC 1055-3.1 compact crane whilst the largest is an LTM 1220‑5.2.
