Watch the video updates where we show what is involved in the realization of this innovative solution.

Accenda specializes in sustainable drive systems and hydrogen technology. Together with them, Van den Heuvel is responsible for integrating the fuel cell, the H₂ buffer, the PLC and all electrical and cooling components, so that the crane can operate safely, reliably and emission-free in the future.

Thanks to this conversion, CO₂ and NOx emissions are reduced to 0 compared to a traditional diesel crane. This is in line with VSF’s ambition to operate completely emission-free by 2035. VSF strives for a climate-neutral, circular and healthy built environment.

The development and conversion of this machine takes place in close collaboration, with VSF involved from the start. Together, we are taking an important step into the future of sustainable foundation cranes.

Enjoy the video and photos with unique images of this impressive location by the sea!

The installation, consisting of the drive, electric motor, battery pack and communication systems, was built by our partner SDK Engineering.

What does this conversion involve? The Sennebogen 6113 is equipped with:
– 16 accumulator modules with a capacity of 356 kWh
– PM electric motor 400 kW (225 kW nominal)
– BMS system, for monitoring cell and module temperature, voltage measurement and power consumption
– CHD-400E combination box
– Cooling and heating system batteries;
– Control box with 7” color screen and PLC, this box reads the following, among other things:
– Speed
– Required power
– Available power
– Battery pack capacity
– Connected charging cable
– Remaining operating time at current power
– Operating hours
– Service intervals
– High voltage connectors for the battery pack, inverter and chargers
– Caterpillar C3.6, 100kW, EU Stage V engine

The conversion includes: modification of the plating, a Risk Inventory and Evaluation with associated measures, and the machine is delivered after the operator has received training.

Cordeel is strongly committed to sustainable construction and innovative solutions to reduce the CO₂ footprint of construction projects. With this conversion, the Sennebogen 6113 fits in perfectly with their vision of emission reduction and future-proof construction methods. This project is a good example of how we deliver customization to realize sustainable ambitions.
Want to know more about the machines we have converted to a sustainable version? Then take a look at this page with realized projects.

Curious about the conversion process? Then watch the video made by Cordeel (tip: turn on the sound):

We received a request from Hammer & Steel, a leading American supplier of drilling and pile-driving equipment, for a foundation machine. The request concerned the development and construction of an MP (Multi Purpose) machine. This is a modular machine, fully customizable to customer requirements and suitable for various foundation works. In this case, the machine would be used for piling, displacement drilling and soil mixing.

Executed with a slide

We started the process with a Plan of Requirements and submitted this to Hammer & Steel. Based on this, a final Plan of Requirements was determined. Based on this, we recommended the MP70 executed with a slide driven by a ”rack and pinion” system, instead of winches.
This system offers a number of advantages:
• When drilling with 1 drive, you have as much pull up as pull down. No separate drives are required for this.
• The construction of the leader is flexible and there are no cables that need to be monitored when erecting and returning to the transport position. Maintenance is simple and can be done by mechanics.

User-friendly

The MP70 is executed with an eye for detail. There are good steps, handles and lighting. The lighting in the doors provides a good view of the maintenance work. The cabin is equipped with a very luxurious seat, ergonomic and air-suspended with lumbar supports.
The operating consoles, in which the handles are located, can be adjusted independently of the seat. The cabin itself has a modern design with curves, but with straight windows. This prevents reflections or distortions. The large windshield offers a spacious view of the construction site.

The design of the cabin also takes into account the requirements for a healthy and safe workplace as set by OHSA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the US.

Successful collaboration

The contact with Hammer & Steel went very well throughout the entire process. Hammer & Steel has confidence in our machines because we have proven ourselves in the past with translating specific customer requirements into suitable solutions and executing them into efficient machines.

MP machine principles

During the development of the MP series, we started from the following characteristics:
– Quality, only A-class components are used.
– Functional simplicity, conventionally wired with a PLC system which ensures safe control.
– Performance, due to our own design and experience, the machine often performs better than competitors.
– Ease of use, comfortable seat with adjustable armrests, complete cabin with excellent view of the project and the surroundings.
– Aesthetic finish, a lot of attention has been paid to the finish of the machine.

Within our company, we are gaining more and more experience in building new machines, including the MP40 and MP60. Met het bouwen van een nieuwe assemblagehal, spuitloods en magazijn investeren we om in de toekomst nog meer machines te bouwen.

Would you like more information about this VDH-MP machine? Look here

Centrally located, in the middle of the scaffolding, is Samonco’s Sennebogen 5500 crawler crane. This lattice boom crane performs all common tasks such as lifting and hoisting the prefabricated walls, floors and roofs. The prefabricated panels vary in weight from 2.5 tons to 9 tons.

In the cabin we find Johan Kerkhofs, the operator of this 180-ton crane. We ask Johan about his experiences with the crane.

How long have you been an operator?
I have been doing this work for 36 years now. After leaving the service, I started working as an operator. I have 33 years of experience as an operator and have also worked with cranes from another German brand. I have been on a Sennebogen crane since 2020.

That must have taken some getting used to. How do you like it?
I was skeptical at first and didn’t have much confidence in it. But that soon changed. The crane is flexible and has a large lifting capacity. The cabin is solid and comfortable. There are no unnecessary buttons and it is just very complete.

You have been working as an operator for a long time and are still very enthusiastic. Is that because of the crane?
I am proud to work with this crane. The crane certainly makes my work very enjoyable. And that is also important because I spend more time in the cabin than in my living room.

Are there any downsides?
If I have to mention something, it is the camera. There is a camera on the ballast that was already broken after 3 months. This has been resolved properly.

Why was this specific machine chosen?
Because this machine can get close to a tall building, this is important for Samonco. You really get a lot of lifting capacity with this machine. I also understand that this machine was very competitive in terms of price.

How does the crane perform?
In 1 word: great! I am very satisfied with it. This crane with jib is up to 30 to 40% stronger than other comparable cranes with jib. On this construction site, the crane is not working at full capacity because the prefabricated panels weigh 2.5 tons to 9 tons and the crane has much more capacity. But sometimes you have these projects and you also don’t want the crane to stand still.

Do you have anything else to say about the crane as a closing statement?
If I can give a score from 1 to 10, I give the crane a 9.5. That half point is because of the camera.

Would you like more information about this Sennebogen crane? Then look here

Lifespan extension

Vroom Funderingstechnieken strives for the most technical, sustainable, and economical solution for their customers. This also includes the maintenance of the equipment. In recent years, there has been significant investment in the machinery, including the foundation machines. These machines are known to be very reliable and have a long service life. The Hitachi CX1100 GLS was scheduled to be re-motorized to Stage V. When it turned out that this foundation machine also needed a major repair, the choice for an overhaul was quickly made. An overhaul is very sustainable, as the machine is reused and can be used for years without any problems. Also, after the overhaul, the machine is equipped with the latest technology, it is more cost-efficient than purchasing a new machine, and it meets the latest (emission) requirements again.

The overhaul was a large project where Vroom chose to have it carried out by us. In total, the overhaul took more than a year, during which the entire machine was disassembled and each part was checked, assessed, and replaced where necessary:

Base machine (upper structure):
Completely stripped, blasted, and painted, cabin refurbished, sheet metal renewed where necessary, electrical wiring and joysticks renewed.

Undercarriage:
Travel motors tested and repaired, track rollers renewed, wear plates renewed, sprockets welded and undercarriage preserved.

Hydraulic components:
Hoses replaced, pumps, swing drive, swing motor, central passage, and other components checked, re-packed, or overhauled.

Winches:
Motors checked, gearboxes checked, and bearings replaced.

Cylinders:
All cylinders checked and re-packed, and rods re-chromed and tubes honed where necessary, valves checked or renewed.

A-frame:
Holes welded and bored, disc bearings renewed, and cylinders overhauled.

Bracket/sliding table:
Disassembled, checked, repaired, and reassembled, both the mechanical and hydraulic parts.

Leader:
Fully checked, repaired where necessary, and blasted and painted.

Engine:
Conversion to Stage V carried out.

The result is a gleaming new machine, ready to be used for years without any problems. Now that the Hitachi emits less than before, the machine is ready for the future in terms of emission reduction.

From diesel to electric: a sustainable transformation

During the project, the existing diesel engine of the foundation machine was replaced by an electric motor and battery pack. SDK Engineering designed and built the electrical system, including:
• A 267 kWh battery pack with expansion to 600 kWh
• High-voltage cabling and cooling motors
• Electrical components and chargers
• An advanced battery management system
• Specific software for the control

Test phase and results

After installation, the machine was subjected to extensive tests and inspections. All systems were optimized and the software was fully adapted to real-world conditions. The Woltman 5021 now functions as desired in either electric or plug-in hybrid mode. Thanks to this transformation, the machine is ready to be used emission-free on a variety of projects.

Advantages of the retrofit

Electrification offers benefits not only for the environment, but also for usability:
• Emission-free operation: Ideal for sustainable construction projects.
• Flexibility: Suitable for both urban and remote locations without a power connection.
• Efficiency: The 400 kW (220 kW nominal) electric motor guarantees optimal performance.

The following parts were overhauled:

– The main and auxiliary hoists have been completely disassembled and fitted with new bearings and seals, tested and reinstalled on the machine.
– The lift hoist, boom hoist, gantry hoist and top hoist have also been overhauled in the same way.
– A new hose reel has been attached to the boom adapter for efficiency.
– All hydraulic cylinders have been overhauled.
– The cylinders were disassembled one by one, inspected and, where necessary, honed and re-chromed.
– All cylinders are fitted with new seals and, after assembly, pressure tested. Two very important cylinders (brace cylinder) have received a special treatment. These are equipped with a nickel/chrome treatment and the cylinder tubes are made to measure very accurately.
– After assembly of the brace cylinders, these cylinders are equipped with high quality “holding valves” to minimize any risk of internal leakage. The machine also has
a reconditioned slewing ring and the pump distribution box and swivel box have been reconditioned.
– The old diesel engine has been replaced with a new Volvo TAD883VC engine that meets the stage V emission requirements.
– The operator has also been considered with a climate control system, new seat and controls.

After these operations, the machine was blasted and completely provided with a new preservation in the beautiful red house color of Vroom, with a clear coat as a finish.

We are convinced that Vroom will make many carefree operating hours with this beautiful machine!

From CFA to piling

We have previously built the MP40 twice as a CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) machine. Hammer & Steel asked us if we could supply a similar machine, but with a different application, namely piling. Instead of the leader system of the MP70, this MP40 works with winches.

User-friendly design

Like the MP70, the MP40 is also equipped with various practical details that contribute to ease of use and safety. These include steps, handles and lighting. Thanks to the lighting in the doors, there is good visibility during maintenance work.

The cabin is ergonomically designed and equipped with an air-suspended seat with lumbar support. The operating consoles are adjustable independently of the seat. The modern cabin design combines rounded shapes with straight windows to prevent reflection and distortion. The large windshield offers optimum visibility of the construction site.

The cabin design takes into account the strict safety and health requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the US. These specifications have remained unchanged.

Successful collaboration

The collaboration with Hammer & Steel went very well. Thanks to our proven expertise in translating specific customer requirements into efficient and reliable machines, we were able to offer a solution that fully meets their needs. The positive experience with the previously delivered MP70 certainly contributed to this.

MP machine principles

During the development of the MP series, we started from the following characteristics:
– Quality, only A-class components are used.
– Functional simplicity, conventionally wired with a PLC system which ensures safe control.
– Performance, due to our own design and experience, the machine often performs better than competitors.
– Ease of use, comfortable seat with adjustable armrests, complete cabin with excellent view of the project and the surroundings.
– Aesthetic finish, a lot of attention has been paid to the finish of the machine.

Within our company, we are gaining more and more experience in building new machines, including the MP40 and MP60.

The new MP40 from Hammer & Steel is the sixth new type of machine that we have developed and built in-house. With the MP40, Hammer & Steel is further expanding its capabilities, and we are proud of another successful project. We are proud to contribute to the growth and success of Hammer & Steel!

Would you like more information about this VDH-MP machine? Then look here or download the datasheet of the VDH-MP40 PDR.