Böcker AK 37 truck crane erects funfair gates in Werne town centre

Böcker puts AK 37 to work erecting Sim-Jü funfair gates free of charge in home town Werne

Crane and hoist manufacturer Böcker has erected the traditional entrance gates for the Sim-Jü funfair in Werne, Germany, deploying an AK 37 truck-mounted aluminium crane from its own rental fleet to lift the lattice mast structures in the town’s confined pedestrian zone.

A day before the popular funfair opened, the two distinctive gates were already in place, one at the entrance to the market square and one in front of the roundabout at the Solebad. Böcker carried out the assembly free of charge as a supporter of the event, stepping in at a time when the town’s budget is under pressure.

Lattice hoist masts become funfair gates

The gates themselves have a direct link to the manufacturer’s product range: they are built from the triangular lattice masts normally used on Böcker rack-and-pinion hoists. Raising and accurately positioning the mast elements fell to an AK 37 truck-mounted crane drawn from the company’s own rental fleet.

According to Böcker, the compact crane is well suited to jobs where set-up space is tight. In Werne’s pedestrian zone, where little standing area is available, the AK 37 could be positioned close to the work and place the mast sections safely and efficiently. Böcker’s aluminium boom truck cranes are designed to combine low vehicle weight with long reach, which allows them to work from small footprints in town-centre streets.

A tradition in the company’s back yard

Sim-Jü is one of the region’s long-established funfairs and a fixture in the calendar of Werne, where Böcker has its headquarters. The company says its involvement is a deliberate commitment to the town and its traditions.

“Sim-Jü belongs to Werne, and for many people it is far more than just a funfair. As a company that has been firmly rooted in the town for many years, supporting and preserving this tradition is close to our hearts. That is why we are delighted to contribute to the success of Sim-Jü with our equipment and our team.”

— Alexander Böcker, Böcker Maschinenwerke

Rental fleet on local duty

For the manufacturer, the job doubled as a practical demonstration of its own machine in everyday rental conditions: driving into a pedestrian zone, setting up on limited ground and handling slender lattice components that demand precise boom control. With the gates standing at both entrances, the crane’s work was done before the first visitors arrived.