pewag levo Load Compensator Supports Balcony Installation in Haarlem
30-Second Takeaway
AKOR Group used a pewag levo Load Compensator to level and install prefabricated balcony elements on a 75-metre residential tower in Haarlem, the Netherlands. The stepped balconies had to be lifted against a completed façade and accurately aligned before being secured. Paired with pewag Grade 10 lifting chains and hooks, the radio-controlled hydraulic system let the team adjust each element during the lift. The compensator has a 500-millimetre standard stroke and is available in combined working load limits of 24, 34 and 50 tonnes.
Remote Load Control for Balcony Lifts
The Commongrounds tower is being built by AKOR for Dalpha Real Estate in Schalkwijk, Haarlem. Its balconies are arranged in a stepped formation, making precise alignment important as each prefabricated element is brought to the façade.
The pewag levo Load Compensator was combined with pewag Grade 10 lifting chains and hooks. The remote-controlled system allowed the team to adjust and level each balcony as the crane moved it into position. Controlling the load from a distance also reduced the need for personnel to manually intervene during placement.
“We always look for smart construction methods that combine speed with quality. Commongrounds brings those two together,”
said Jeffrey Ossendrijver, Project Manager at AKOR. He said the compensator enabled the team to level each balcony during the lift and guide it into position against the completed façade.
Hydraulic Compensator Specifications
The pewag levo Load Compensator uses hydraulic cylinders to manage load position and distribution during lifting. Its standard stroke is 500 millimetres, and the system is available in combined working load limits of 24, 34 and 50 tonnes.
Optional load pins can be installed on each cylinder to provide load information through a display. The equipment also has integrated floodlights and is designed to operate in temperatures from -20°C to +60°C.
pewag describes the levo Load Balancer and Compensator as the first hydraulically driven system of its kind. The company says hydraulic operation provides smooth valve control while reducing energy use and maintenance requirements compared with electronically driven alternatives.
Façade Sequence Shaped the Lift Plan
Unlike a conventional sequence in which balconies are installed as the façade rises, the building’s façade was completed before the prefabricated balconies were lifted into place. This required the team to manage load balance and make precise adjustments as each element approached its final position.
The project uses prefabricated concrete façade elements and is being built without scaffolding. The ability to level each balcony remotely supported controlled placement while reducing manual handling close to the suspended load.
The 23-storey, 75-metre tower will include 219 rental apartments, three commercial spaces and a car park. The development also features green balconies, a water-retention roof and a heating and cooling system.
“The stepped arrangement of the balconies is a defining feature of this development, but it also creates a demanding installation process,”
said Andy Charlesworth, Sales Director at pewag UK Group. He said the compensator gave the project team control to level and position each element remotely.
About pewag
pewag is a manufacturer of chains and lifting components, with products for lifting, lashing and other industrial applications. Its lifting range includes chains, hooks, slings and load-control equipment. The levo product line includes load balancers and compensators designed to support controlled lifting and positioning when loads need to remain level or be adjusted during a lift.
Website: https://www.pewag.com/lifting/
About AKOR Group
AKOR is a Dutch construction company working in new construction, renovation, conversion and property management. Its teams operate from locations in the Netherlands, delivering projects for clients in the residential and commercial sectors. For Commongrounds, AKOR is constructing the residential tower for Dalpha Real Estate.
Website: https://www.akor.nl/en/
About LiftingXperts
LiftingXperts supplies lifting equipment and related solutions. The company supplied the pewag levo Load Compensator used on the Commongrounds project and distributes pewag products.
Website: https://www.liftingxperts.nl/
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment helped install the Commongrounds balconies?
AKOR used a pewag levo Load Compensator with pewag Grade 10 lifting chains and hooks. The system was operated by radio remote control to adjust and level each balcony during the lift.
What is the levo Load Compensator’s working load limit?
The system is available in combined working load limits of 24, 34 and 50 tonnes. Its standard hydraulic cylinder stroke is 500 millimetres.
How did the compensator help with balcony placement?
It allowed the lifting team to adjust and level each balcony remotely while the crane moved it toward the completed façade. This reduced the need for manual intervention during positioning.
Why was precise levelling important on this project?
The balconies are arranged in a stepped pattern and were installed after the façade was completed. Each element had to be controlled and aligned accurately before it could be secured to the building.
What optional features are available?
Optional load pins can be installed on each cylinder to provide load information through a display. The system also has integrated floodlights.
What is being built at Commongrounds?
The 23-storey tower in Schalkwijk, Haarlem, will have 219 rental apartments, three commercial spaces and a car park. The development also includes green balconies, a water-retention roof and a heating and cooling system.
