20 September 2016, 13:28
The KARL Group relies on zero emission products from Wacker Neuson in the rehabilitation of the Olympic swimming hall.
The Olympic swimming hall in Munich was built in 1972 for the Olympic summer games. At the time, Wacker Neuson machines were already in use – above all internal vibrators. After over 40 years, a general refurbishment of the entire swimming hall is due, which has been used as a public swimming pool since then. Also there again this time: Machines from Wacker Neuson – namely the innovative emission-free solutions.
"Gold for Mark Spitz!" The American swimmer stood at the top of the podium in the Munich Olympic swimming hall during the 1972 summer games a total of seven times – a world record. One year after the games, the hall was opened to the enthusiastic swimming public. For over 40 years, people have swum, bathed and relaxed in the Oberwiesenfeld. The general refurbishment has now been ongoing since spring 2016.
One requirement was particularly important when tendering the reconstruction work: emission-free work. While the first of two areas is being reconstructed, the other parts of the building will remain open at the same time as the renovation work, which is a major challenge for all those involved. One option would be: completing all work by hand. Wacker Neuson is the only manufacturer to offer an alternative, which cannot be surpassed in terms of economic efficiency and operator protection, because the completely emission-free and noise-reducing machines can easily be used in enclosed areas without any problems. The zero-emission series only contains emission-free products, such as electrically-driven rammers, wheel loaders, compact excavators and dumpers.
Among others, the work will be carried out by the KARL Group, a long-time customer of Wacker Neuson. The emission-free solutions convinced the project manager for this redevelopment project, Tamara Zettl. "The special challenge of this project is that we have to work emission-free and nevertheless have to act within the given time and cost framework. With the electric wheel loader WL20e alone, we achieve a time savings of 50 percent compared to the manual work of our employees," says Zettl. The wheel loader WL20e, which is driven by two electric motors, is ideal for this construction site. With its compact dimensions, it easily masters the tight space conditions and can transport the rubble out of the empty swimming pool due to a tremendous gradeability. In addition, it convinces with its performance and it is in no way inferior to the conventional machine. With a fully charged battery, the wheel loader can be used under full load for up to five hours. Another advantage is its significantly lower noise emission.
Demolition comes before removal. Here two products from Wacker Neuson are also in use: the mini-excavator 803 dualpower with electro-hydraulic drive unit and the electric demolition breaker EH75. "The electrically-driven machines really surprised us, because they have the same performance parameters as the conventional siblings. In addition, the handling is easy and intuitive so that you can work with it immediately. Our employees do not want to part with the machines so easily anymore," says Tamara Zettl.
Construction machines and equipment that work completely free of emissions are still very new on the market, which is why there is a certain amount of skepticism on the customer's part: Are the machines powerful and reliable? Does the run time suffice for the planned application? "We are noticing that the demand for emission-free products is rising rapidly, whether in urban areas or for reconstruction work indoors. Once our customers have tested our products, they are convinced," reports Peter Appel, rental manager of Wacker Neuson branch Unterschleißheim, excitedly. Wacker Neuson was also able to offer the KARL Group reliable solutions for the reconstruction work of the Olympic swimming hall. "They were able to work all day long, quietly and above all completely free of emissions. Overnight, the batteries were charged for the next workday," continues Appel.