ALE 4,300 tonner to work in London

The largest crane ever in London, United Kingdom, has been erected by ALE. The 4,300 tonne capacity AL.SK190 super heavy lift crane is part of the project to redevelop the old Earl’s Court exhibition complex in West London.

As of late March the ring type lifter was ready to go to work removing large concrete beams that formed the foundation of the vast Earls Court exhibition centre, completed in 1937 and built on top of underground train lines. Weights of the portal beams range from 80 to 1,500 tonnes.

Using one of the world’s largest cranes will shorten the project by two years, ALE said. Over the last two years specialist contractor Keltbray has used its demolition expertise to reduce the vast buildings to ground level. The 354,000 tonne-metre-rated AL.SK190 is erected to a height of 120 metres but will not oversail any properties neighbouring the 77 acre (31 hectare) site, ALE said.

Under development is the Earls Court Masterplan designed by architect Sir Terry Farrell. It will be 10 million square feet (929,000 square metres) of space described as four new urban villages and a 21^st Century high street. A major part of the plan is to build 7,500 houses.