Sweden’s first Fibre crane: ultra-light assembly in tight conditions

Construction of the 23-storey “Sickla Stationshus” is under way in Stockholm. A Liebherr 370 EC-B Fibre tower crane has been erected for this project – the first crane of its kind in Sweden. It features a high-tensile fibre rope that offers up to 20 percent more jib head load capacity and has a freestanding hook height of more than 100 m.

Daniele Solito, part owner of Binsell, explains, “The challenges of this site included the erection of two freestanding cranes, 107 and 76 m high, in a very confined space. Although tie-ins would have been normal at this height, guying wasn’t used as the customer wished to avoid holes in the façade. To protect the adjacent railway track area, slewing and trolley travel limitations were put in place as well as anti-collision systems.”

Binsell rents mobile cranes, tower cranes and crane trucks. With over 120 mobile cranes and tower cranes, Binsell Stockholm is Stockholm's largest supplier of cranes. The company works together closely with Alfab Service AB. Based in Västerås, Alfab Service AB has been a reliable dealer for Liebherr mobile cranes and tower cranes in Sweden since 1981.

Total enthusiasm

Anders Andersson, service technician at Binsell Sverige AB, is enthusiastic about his work with the 370 EC-B Fibre, “It’s the first time that we’re using a Fibre crane and, I have to say, it’s amazingly easy to handle. Not just because the steel ropes we usually work with are heavier but also because assembly is much easier. Plus, the fibre rope is really light. We’re having a great time at work and our assembly team is fantastic. I like working so high up as well.”

Good planning is the key to success

The crane was erected over the course of a long weekend. This short window of time meant that the assembly had to be planned with precision. A specific configuration was needed to achieve the required freestanding hook height of over 107 m. The 370 EC-B Fibre stands on 3150 HC foundation anchors, which are anchored into rock. Liebherr’s modular design system makes it possible to combine 1000 HC, 630 EC-H, 500 C and 256 HC tower sections to achieve the specified freestanding hook height. The foundation only requires an area of 5 x 5 metres. To avoid the potential problem of high winds preventing climbing, the crane was assembled to its final hook height. A 280 EC-H crane was also in use for the construction of the building’s lower floors.

The “Stationshus” is being developed by the Swedish real estate company Atrium Ljungberg. The office building with shopping centre is located directly next to the “Sickla” train station, which is a key public transport connection.