In Breda, Combinatie Van der Ven – KWS is building a bus depot for the province of Noord-Brabant. The new depot will be used for the storage, charging and maintenance of electric buses. With this, the province is giving a sustainable boost to a safe, fast and high-quality public transport network and is one step closer to its goal of making public transport in the region more sustainable. Completion is scheduled for early 2025.
Van der Ven B.V. Aannemingsbedrijf has been around for over 55 years and focuses its activities on construction and infrastructure. The company’s motto is ”making the world a better place,” and one of its objectives is an emission-free construction site. The depot project is therefore a perfect fit for the Brakel-based company.
Because the construction site borders a nature reserve, nitrogen emissions are a challenge. Therefore, NOX filters and electric equipment such as the electric Sennebogen crane are used. We ask the crane operator of Van der Ven about his experience working with the electric crane:
Have you worked with a Sennebogen crane before?
“No, I had never worked with a Sennebogen crane before. In November 2022, I was asked if I was interested in operating the new Sennebogen crane. I definitely wanted to try that. I have been working on another crane at Van der Ven since 2010. In 2016 I obtained my TCVT certificate (W4-01*) and in 2023 also the foundation papers (W4-03*).”
Note:
*TCVT W4-01 Mobile Crane Operator
*TCVT W4-03 Large Foundation Machine Operator
What is your overall impression of the electric crane?
“The overall impression of the electric crane is good, actually above expectations. I was always anti-electric myself, but it runs fantastic. The crane certainly meets expectations: the comfort, ease of use and visibility from the cabin is excellent.”
What are the differences compared to other electric machines?
“At Van der Ven we have other electric machines from different brands, but so far not with an app like this crane. You can see everything on it, for example a charging failure to the time the machine has been charging. “
How long can you work with the crane?
“If you stay in the same place, you can easily make a full day and maybe even 2. This depends a bit on the lifting work. If you have to position steel structures, the battery capacity will decrease less quickly. If you are pouring concrete with a skip, it will go a lot faster. And when you have to drive a lot, the battery capacity will decrease very quickly. Yet there is always enough capacity left to continue working until the end of the day.”
What differences are experienced compared to the diesel version?
“Differences between diesel or electric; I don’t notice anything when operating, whether the diesel drives the pump or the electric motor, I don’t notice any difference.”
Would you recommend the electric crane to others?
“I would definitely recommend the electric crane, but you must have a good power supply on the construction site. We were once in the polder and then you don’t have a construction connection. Then you have to use a generator.”
What is the overall impression of Van den Heuvel?
“Van den Heuvel is a good company, customer-friendly and always available for questions or if something is wrong, they always call back. That is sometimes different.”
How would you describe the crane in 1 sentence?
“A very good product in all respects: clear, easy to operate and easy to maintain.”
Want to know more about the bus depot project in Breda?
https://www.vanderven.nl/nieuws/startschot-busremise-breda
Want to know more about the electric Sennebogen 653 telescopic crawler crane?
Then look here: https://tinyurl.com/atczuput
