Tadano ATF 100 G-4 lifts Wacken festival’s Bullhead
30 Second Takeaway
Kranverleih Wilhelm used a Tadano ATF 100 G-4 all-terrain crane to lift the Wacken Open Air festival’s steel Bullhead landmark into position above the main stage. The structure stands about 10 metres tall and weighs approximately 2.5 tonnes. With a 36.9-metre main boom and its full 26.5 tonnes of counterweight, the four-axle crane lifted the skull and its two horns to stage crews working about 28 metres high. The crew timed the lifts for a lull in crosswinds that had reached 11 metres per second.
Bullhead lifted above the main stage
The Bullhead is a steel skull that has become a landmark of Wacken Open Air, the annual heavy metal festival in northern Germany. Wilhelm was responsible for raising it into position over the main stage, using the ATF 100 G-4 for the lift and a Tadano HK 50 truck-mounted crane for additional assembly work.
The skull had to be guided to stage builders working on catwalks about 28 metres above the ground. Those walkways were only 60 centimetres wide, leaving little margin for error as the crew brought the suspended structure into position.
Wind and restricted space shaped the lift
Crosswinds of around 11 metres per second were affecting the festival site on the day of the lift. The team waited for the wind to ease before proceeding, first raising the skull and then the two horns.
Wilhelm crane operator Marco Levin emphasised the need to move the load precisely and carefully toward the assembly crew. Markus Olma, the festival’s head of stage construction, described the combination of the narrow catwalks, working height and suspended 2.5-tonne structure as a major challenge.
ATF 100 G-4 configured for the operation
The four-axle ATF 100 G-4 was set up with a 36.9-metre main boom and its full 26.5-tonne counterweight for the lifts. The crane can carry that maximum counterweight on board, allowing it to arrive at site without a separate counterweight transport vehicle.
The model has a 51.2-metre telescopic boom and is designed for mobile operation on construction sites. Wilhelm’s crane has been in its fleet for several years and was also used during the wider festival setup, which involved positioning stage structures, platforms and technical equipment.
About Kranverleih Wilhelm
Kranverleih Wilhelm is a family-run crane rental company based in St. Michaelisdonn, Germany. It provides crane and transport services, planning and customer consultation, using an experienced team and a varied vehicle fleet. At Wacken Open Air, Wilhelm supported the broader site setup as well as the Bullhead lift, coordinating crane operations in a busy festival environment.
View website: https://www.kranverleih-wilhelm.de/
About Tadano
Tadano manufactures lifting equipment including all-terrain, rough-terrain and crawler cranes, as well as aerial work platforms. The ATF 100 G-4 is part of its all-terrain crane range, designed to combine road mobility with lifting capability on site. Tadano also provides parts, service, training and technical support for its equipment.
View website: https://www.tadano.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bullhead at Wacken Open Air?
The Bullhead is a steel skull landmark positioned above the festival’s main stage. It is about 10 metres tall and weighs approximately 2.5 tonnes.
Which cranes did Wilhelm use at Wacken?
Wilhelm used a Tadano ATF 100 G-4 all-terrain crane to lift the Bullhead and a Tadano HK 50 truck-mounted crane for additional assembly work.
How was the Tadano ATF 100 G-4 configured for the lift?
The crane operated with a 36.9-metre main boom and its full 26.5 tonnes of counterweight.
How high were the stage builders working?
The stage builders were working about 28 metres above the ground on catwalks approximately 60 centimetres wide.
What wind conditions affected the operation?
Crosswinds reached around 11 metres per second. The crew waited for the wind to ease before lifting the skull and horns into place.
