Liebherr MK 140 mobile construction crane is the secret star in the arena of Verona
Today "Aida", tomorrow "Carmen": An MK 140 makes sure that the 2019 season in the famous opera arena of Verona goes off without a hitch. Fully-electrically operated, our compact power pack makes a quiet and speedy change of the stage setting possible. Here you can read a guest article from our long-standing partner Schmidbauer, premium supplier of mobile cranes and special transports.
The MK 140 plays an extraordinary role behind the scenes.
"Attenzione! Attenzione!“ It is not every day that the staff members of the "polizia locale" have to handle such a task: In the middle of the pedestrian zone, passing alongside astonished tourists and locals, Italian police officers escort a Munich heavyweight to the Fondazione Arena di Verona, the famous amphitheatre. On fixe axles, visible from far away due to its bright yellow, the MK 140 Liebherr mobile construction crane of the special supplier Schmidbauer rolls on a narrow street behind the stage of the almost 2000 years old building. Ordering party is Niederstätter AG, specialist for consulting construction companies.
The 60-tonne heavy crane plays an extraordinary role behind the scenes. The crane from Munich is decisively responsible for the success of this year's concert and opera season from 13 June to 7 September. The MK 140 has no well-known name like Placido Domingo – he will sing on 4 August on the occasion of his 50th Verona anniversary – or soprano Anna Netrebko who will celebrate her debut at this unique venue on 28 June. However, the mobile construction crane stands on a one-metre high platform and with its help the elements of the stage setting are speedily changed. On one evening, the column portal of "La Traviata", and on the next, large towers for "Il Trovatore“, the troubadour – the mobile special crane from Schmidbauer lifts everything quickly to the intended place. Nine tonnes of additional ballast provide the stability for the required lifting capacity and radius. The crane is flexible and requires only little space – a perfect cast for Verona!
Due to the vertical tower of the mobile construction crane, its erection can be carried out directly at the building.
Vertical tower for uncomplicated planning
Despite its impressive size, the MK 140 Liebherr mobile construction crane can be operated by only one man. Within 20 minutes, it can be erected very simply at the touch of a button. The crane can carry out work on very restricted space, lift parts steeply and far into the stage and be folded up very quickly so that it does not disturb the optical image for the opera-goers or tourists at such an historic site.
Due to the vertical tower of the special crane, its erection can be carried out directly at the building. "The crane had to 'climb' almost 2 metres to be able to carry out its work since we had to build a platform on site because of the restricted space to ensure that the crane stands safely. That is not something you make every day", says Thomas Muswieck, technical field service of Schmidbauer on site. Furthermore, the mobile construction crane works very quietly and without emissions thanks to hybrid power concept.
MK 140 mobile construction crane is the secret star in the arena of Verona
During the season, up to 22,000 spectators per performance can assure themselves of the perfect work of the long-established company. During the journey from Munich across the Brenner Pass, the MK 140 already attracted the attention of many car drivers. The engine of the mobile construction crane had to face a special challenge to reach the planned site in Verona. Once arrived, crane operation was carried out exclusively electrically – for the sake of the environment as well as the residents and tourists.
With a height of almost 24 metres, the arena is largest preserved antique amphitheatre after the Colosseum in Rome and the amphitheatre of Capua. Since 1913, the famous Verdi opera "Aida" alone has been performed on more than 670 evenings – this year with a stage design using elements of the production of that time. The MK 140, the secret star behind the scenes, will also cope with this task before returning to Bavaria in autumn.
