Slewing Crane for a Bucket-Wheel Excavator in Serbia

• Customer: Koch Solutions GmbH
• Project location: PME manufacturing plant, Přerov
• Project period: 07/2025–02/2026
• Scope of supply: 2 slewing cranes with a 7 m jib length and a 7 t lifting capacity, designed for operation on a bucket-wheel excavator
• Key benefit: Complete delivery of lifting equipment, from design through to export documentation

Key Project Challenges

The Germancustomer Koch Solutions approached PME with a request for the delivery of twoslewing service cranes intended for installation on a bucket-wheel excavator.We had already collaborated on a similar project in 2013; however, the new contract presented a number of technical and regulatory challenges. The main objective was to design a modernised structure compliant with current European standards while optimising the overall weight of the equipment.

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Particular emphasis was placed on:

• meeting current European standard requirements for lifting equipment,
• reducing the weight of the  load-bearing structures,
• simplifying the manufacture of access structures,
• modernising the design and control ergonomics,
• providing complete documentation for export outside the European Union.

Achieving a high standard of manufacturing quality in accordance with EN 1090, execution class EXC3, was also a major part of the project.

Project Implementation

Engineeringand Structural Design

The projectwas developed in cooperation with our long-standing partner, Královo PoleCranes a.s., which was responsible for the complete structural design and engineering calculations.

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The engineering scope included:

• a new structural design for the cranes,
• strength and stability calculations,
• technical documentation,
• documentation for manufacturing and certification.

Structural optimisation resulted in a significant weight reduction while maintaining the required lifting capacity and operational safety.

Manufacturing

All manufacturing was carried out at PME’s production plant in Přerov.

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The scope ofsupply included:

• manufacture of load-bearing welded structures,
• manufacture of access platforms and guardrails,
• surface treatment,
• component assembly,
• complete electrical installation and equipment wiring.

Quality Control and Testing

All prescribed inspections and tests were completed prior to dispatch.

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The verification process included:

• NDT inspection of welded joints,
• dimensional inspections,
• functional testing of the hoist,
• verification of the equipment’s main movements,
• inspection of the electrical wiring.

All resultswere recorded in the Quality Book.

Export Preparation

As the finalinstallation site is located outside the European Union, preparation of theexport documentation was also a significant part of the project.

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The deliveryincluded:

• marking of individual parts,
• packaging for international transport,
• preparation of shipping documents,
• delivery of accompanying documentation in English and Serbian.

Project Outcome

The projectresulted in two modern slewing cranes, each with a 7 m jib length and a 7 tlifting capacity, designed for long-term operation in the demanding conditionsof the mining industry. Byoptimising the design, the total weight of the supplied equipment was reducedby approximately 1,000 kg compared with the original solution, generatingsavings not only during manufacturing but also in subsequent operation. The entiremanufacturing process, including the electrical installation, was completed atPME, ensuring full control over quality, deadlines and the technical executionof the contract.

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Benefits for the Customer

• modernised design compliant with current technical standards,
• reduction in the total structural weight by approximately 1,000 kg,
• complete single-source delivery,
• verified functionality prior to dispatch,
• documentation in English and Serbian,
• complete Quality Book,
• manufacturing in accordance with EN 1090-2 EXC3,
• equipment ready for export and installation abroad.

Key Technical Parameters

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Parameter –Value

Number of cranes: 2

Type: Slewing crane

Lifting capacity: 7 t

Jib length: 7 m

Lifting height: 53 m

Installation location: Bucket-wheel excavator

Manufacturing standard: EN 1090-2 EXC3

PME scope: Manufacturing, electrical installation, testing and export preparation

Conclusion

The projectconfirmed PME’s ability to deliver comprehensive lifting-equipment solutions, from technical design and manufacturing through to preparation for international export. In cooperation with specialist partners, we can provide customers with tailor-made solutions for the mining industry, power generation and other industrial sectors where safety, reliability and high-quality workmanship are essential.

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