Grove GMK6450-1 Dismantles Potain Tower Crane at 72-Metre Radius in Berlin
30-Second Takeaway
Mobi-Hub used a Grove GMK6450-1 to dismantle a Potain MD 120 tower crane in central Berlin, overcoming restricted working space and an eight tonne axle load limit on the access route. The crane’s main boom was removed and transported separately so the carrier could cross local metro tracks. On site, the six axle crane was assembled with a 73 metre luffing jib, 115 tonnes of counterweight and an 8.7 x 8.5 metre outrigger base. The configuration handled tower crane sections weighing up to nine tonnes at working radii of up to 72 metres and a hook height of approximately 59 metres.
Grove GMK6450-1
Mobile-Hubtechnik Kranarbeiten und Transporte, known as Mobi-Hub, deployed a Grove GMK6450-1 to dismantle a Potain MD 120 tower crane in central Berlin. The tower crane belonged to Berlin-based Wilhelm Banzhaf Krananlagen, which engaged Mobi-Hub to provide the mobile lifting solution.The project required more than substantial lifting capacity. Long working radii, a confined setup area and restrictions on the route into the site all influenced the equipment selection and mobilisation plan.
Aicke Grell, crane operator at Mobi-Hub, said:
“It was not simply a matter of finding a high-capacity crane. We needed a machine that could handle heavy lifts at long working radii of over 70 metres while operating in a highly constrained workspace.”
Separate Boom Transport Meets Access Restriction
The crane had to cross tracks belonging to Berlin’s local metro system to reach the working area. An eight tonne axle load limit applied to that crossing. To meet the restriction, Mobi-Hub removed the Grove’s main boom and transported it separately. The approach reduced the carrier’s travelling weight for the restricted section of the route while retaining the crane configuration required for the dismantling work. Once the equipment reached the site, two smaller mobile cranes assisted with positioning and reinstalling the main boom.
Grell added:
“The GMK6450-1 gave us the flexibility we needed from mobilization through to completion of the job.”
A 73-Metre Luffing Jib for Long-Radius Lifts
The Grove GMK6450-1 is a six axle All Terrain crane with a maximum rated capacity of 450 tonnes and a 60 metre telescopic main boom. For the Berlin operation, Mobi-Hub assembled the crane with a 73 metre luffing jib and 115 tonnes of counterweight. The outrigger base measured 8.7 x 8.5 metres, establishing the support arrangement for the planned lifts. This configuration enabled the crane to handle the heaviest dismantled sections, weighing up to nine tonnes, at working radii reaching 72 metres. The reported hook height during the operation was approximately 59 metres.
Sequential Dismantling of the Potain MD 120
The lifting team first removed the tower crane’s ballast, counter jib and main jib.
Mast sections were then dismantled in sequence, progressively reducing the tower’s height.
The long-radius configuration allowed Mobi-Hub to reach the required components from the available mobile crane position. Controlled lifting and coordinated removal were central to working within the restricted urban site.
About Mobi-Hub
Mobi-Hub is a Berlin-based crane rental and transport specialist operating under the name Mobile-Hubtechnik Kranarbeiten und Transporte.
The company’s history dates to 1994. Its services combine mobile crane operations with transport support, providing equipment and crews for construction, industrial and infrastructure assignments.
Mobi-Hub reports access to more than 40 mobile cranes in the greater Berlin area. Its fleet and transport resources support projects requiring different lifting capacities, site access arrangements and mobilisation methods.
Official website: www.mobi-hub.de
About Grove
Grove is a mobile hydraulic crane manufacturer founded in 1947 in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, and is part of The Manitowoc Company.
Its equipment portfolio includes All Terrain, Rough Terrain and other mobile hydraulic cranes, serving construction, industrial maintenance, infrastructure and heavy lifting applications. The GMK range provides road-going All Terrain cranes with configurations for differing load, reach and site requirements.
Manitowoc supports Grove customers through equipment service, parts and technical assistance. For Mobi-Hub, the manufacturer identifies its German teams in Wilhelmshaven and Langenfeld as sources of local support.
Official website: www.manitowoc.com/grove
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mobile crane carried out the dismantling?
Mobi-Hub used a Grove GMK6450-1, a six axle, 450 tonne All Terrain crane.
Why was the main boom transported separately?
Removing the boom allowed the carrier to meet an eight tonne axle load limit when crossing metro tracks on the access route.
What configuration was used on site?
The crane used a 73 metre luffing jib, 115 tonnes of counterweight and an 8.7 x 8.5 metre outrigger base.
How heavy were the tower crane sections?
The heaviest sections weighed up to nine tonnes.
What was the maximum working radius?
Lifts reached a working radius of 72 metres, with a hook height of approximately 59 metres.
