SCX800A-3 allows extra flexibility for BRUN

A Swiss contractor, GEBR BRUN AG, has invested in a new Hitachi Sumitomo SCX800A-3 to replace one of its existing crawler cranes. With a KH180-3 now being superseded by the latest model, the company’s fleet will remain at five with three other KH180-3s and one KH150-3 still in operation.

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BRUN’s new flagship machine was delivered in October 2017 by the country’s authorised dealer, Probst Maveg. The two companies have worked together for over 30 years during which time they have developed a strong relationship, according to Daniel Fanger, BRUN’s Director for Special Foundation Works and a member of the board.

“They care about us and our machines,” he says, “and along with Hitachi Sumitomo, they were very close to us during the decision-making process. For instance, they answered all of our detailed technical questions in a relatively short period of time.”

The SCX800A-3’s first assignment is a drainage project in the town of Zug, close to the shore of Lake Zug, which started in April 2017 and will be completed by June 2018. BRUN’s main task is the foundation engineering work for the construction of five shafts, including the concrete. It is working with two other companies as a consortium on this project: another local contractor, Büwe; and a German company, Sonntag.

The new shafts will be used as access points for a micro-tunnelling machine to bore 1.6 and 2m holes for pipes over a distance of 1.8km. Rainwater will be drained into the lake through the 2m pipeline, while water taken from a point 300m offshore through the 1.6m pipeline will be heated to supply local residences.

The SCX800A-3 is being utilised as a support machine and for installing the sheet piling, which will be used to keep water out of shafts throughout the construction process. Around 5,000m² of sheet piling is being laid into the ground in 26m lengths and most of this will be removed after the concrete shafts have been built.

“This is a typical job for us and is representative of our main business activity,” says Daniel. “As our biggest crane, the SCX800A-3 gives us more flexibility than the rest of the fleet, due to the greater distance between the machine and the sheet piles, and the stronger load chart.

“It is easy to operate and is perfect for our needs, as we wish to use more than one operator. The small radius is advantageous and also adds to the user-friendliness of the machine. For us, the smaller and stronger, the better.

“The vibration involved in this job makes it a tough one, especially on the electronics. However, with the customary durability of the new Hitachi Sumitomo, we are counting on a long lifespan. The size of the machine also offers ease of assembly and transportation, and the counterweight can be adapted to any journey.”