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Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

2026-03-10

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.

Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approximately 60,000 cubic metres of concrete and 10,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel.

The crane fleet includes models with tip load capacities up to 3.3 tonnes and maximum lifting capacities reaching 16.5 tonnes. Hoisting speeds of up to 185 m per minute allow the cranes to operate efficiently during continuous 12-hour daily shifts on site.

Structural planning played a crucial role in determining crane positions. Several cranes were installed in zones that will later function as light wells, above underground rainwater infiltration systems. In addition, one crane location sits above a lower-level section containing a wastewater pumping station, requiring specialised foundation design to transfer loads safely into stable ground.

To address these challenges, the cranes were installed on cross frames with precast concrete counterweights produced by Glass GmbH. The counterweights can be individually removed during dismantling, ensuring that the underground rainwater infiltration systems remain functional.

Glass GmbH and WOLFFKRAN collaborated closely on planning and execution. The two companies have worked together for over 14 years, with Glass currently operating a fleet of 44 WOLFF cranes across multiple projects in Germany, including industrial expansions and manufacturing facilities.

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