Potain self-erecting crane reaches new heights on Norway mountaintop project

• A Potain HDM 40 self-erecting tower crane was pulled to the top of Fløya mountain in Norway using an innovative ski system to build a new landmark restaurant on the mountain.
• Regular maintenance and strong parts support from Potain and its local dealer Kranor are ensuring reliable performance from the 20-year-old crane even in this remote location.

Contractor Hent faced the challenge of constructing a three-story restaurant on Fløya, a mountainous tourist destination overlooking the city of Tromsø in northern Norway. The new restaurant will sit at the summit station of the Fjellheisen cable car, 421 m above sea level, so Hent was seeking a versatile and reliable crane which could be installed quickly and operate efficiently in the remote and exposed environment.

Norwegian Potain dealer Kranor suggested the Potain HDM 40, which has the right combination of performance and ease of installation, but once the crane choice was agreed, the trickier task of planning how to get it there began.

“The only solution was to put the crane on two large skis and pull it up Fløya mountain with the support of two powerful snow groomers. Custom-built twin-tip skis were fitted to the crane’s chassis, allowing it to be pulled into position. Once in place, the crane was secured to the jobsite’s concrete foundation to ensure working stability in an area of strong winds. Getting the crane to the mountaintop is a truly unique logistics achievement,” explained Andreas Jensen, regional manager at Kranor.

Designed to be three times the size of the previous structure, the new restaurant will feature an outdoor skywalk offering stunning views of the fjords and the Arctic landscape. It will also be a prime destination to observe the Northern Lights. Construction began last year and will finish in 2027.

Proven performance and long service life

Weighing 14 t, the Potain HDM 40 offers a maximum capacity of 4 t and can lift 1 t at the end of its 35 m jib. It is ideally suited for work on the mountain project, lifting timber sections and concrete slabs, all of which are delivered to the site by helicopter.

First manufactured in 2005, the HDM 40 continues to deliver reliable performance to hundreds of customers worldwide thanks to the excellent customer support of Potain and its global network of dealers. Based in Tromsø, Norway, Kranor owns a large fleet of over 150 Potain cranes, including both self-erecting and top-slewing models. Kranor is still operating a number of cranes over 20 years old, reflecting the long service life and value of Potain equipment.

CONTACT

Dominique Leullier     
Marketing Director Europe 
Manitowoc     
T + 33 4 72 18 21 60 
dominique.leullier@manitowoc.com