Multifunctional foundation machine: durable asset

Voorbij Funderingstechniek's new foundation machine is truly green. Not only does the color catch the eye immediately, but under the skin the Woltman 160 DR excels in quality and durability. With a Stage V diesel engine and power pack, Voorbij can meet the toughest challenges with this machine.

The acquisition is running on the Second Maasvlakte in Rotterdam, where the Woltman 160 DR will be used for a year for the expansion of the Princess Amaliahaven. A total of some two thousand vibro-piles ranging in length from 18 to 33 meters are to be installed for the crane runway at a maximum bracing ratio of 4:1 backwards. Voorbij Funderingstechniek from Amsterdam is teaming up with the company Terracon for this, while client Ballast Nedam is using tubular piles up to 38 meters to install a combi wall for the approximately two kilometer long quay wall.

Machinist Gery Zwijnenburg is justifiably proud of his new machine, which was put into service for the first time in mid-November. "This 160 DR is in fact the successor to my previous crane, a Woltman THW 1000-FR, so very similar in terms of deployability. The last 18 meters of the broker is now no longer a lattice boom, but completely closed. Such a drilling leader provides much more drilling torque. Over the last 30 meters, that's a maximum of 50 ton meters and then slowly decreases to something like 10 ton meters in the head. In terms of safety and operation, everything is just a bit more modern again."

Multifunctional use

The letters in the type name suggest that this is a drilling rig (Drilling Rig), but the 170-ton Woltman is multi-purpose for installing precast piles, vibro piles, drilling and vibrating. A special feature here is that the rig tilts forward or backward in brace position as well as is laterally adjustable. The 160 DR is one of the larger foundation machines on the market that is serially built. To date, Woltman has delivered five units and a sixth is scheduled for 2022. Voorbij has the premiere of the first type with Stage V power source.

Woltman and Voorbij have been in business for 17 years, and this crane, christened number 23, is the thirteenth foundation machine within the fleet from the Giessenburg-based manufacturer. The first, a THW 4019, is still in use to install high speed poles (HSP). That says enough about the construction method. Woltman is known for the quality, robustness and reliability of its machines. Therefore, only A-brand components are used, such as Bosch Rexroth hydraulics, Caterpillar diesel engines, Berco undercarriages and VSE electronics.

Impressive appearance

The 160 DR is truly impressive for its size alone. The broker is 46 meters long and can be extended another 5 meters by means of an extension. The maximum capacity (pile + block) is 60 tons and the machine can insert piles to a depth of 48 meters. The crane was delivered with a new Woltman WG 45 drilling motor, which generates a maximum drilling torque of no less than 45 ton meters. Voorbij also has a D100 piling hammer for the 160 DR, along with a ring vibrator with 100 tons of pulling power.  

For optimum stability under all conditions, the undercarriage can be hydraulically extended to a width of 5.3 meters. If necessary, a sliding table can also be used. This is equipped with an additional platform for safe access to the elevator. "Beyond does a lot about safety," says Henk Woltman, Sales Area Manager Benelux at Woltman Piling & Drilling Rigs. "As an extra, several steps, brackets and mirrors have been mounted, and the landings to the left and right of the superstructure run all the way around the powerpack. A rotating zoom camera has been installed in the head."

Extensive camera system

From the cab, a comprehensive camera system gives the operator a near 360° view around the crane. The images can be selected via a separate screen. Next to the latest type of control panel, we see a display for Inpieq's data recording system, which records all relevant data from each pile foundation. Woltman has also thought carefully about set-up and dismantling time, making the 160 DR ready to provide bearing capacity for infra, water, utility and industrial construction within a day and a half. 'The success bearers,' is Voorbij's motto.

Director Sjoerd Opdam of the foundation specialist, part of TBI Infra, says: "The versatility of this new Woltman machine really appeals to us. We actually went for the smaller 130 DR, but both on infra or hydraulic engineering projects and for utility construction, the piles are getting bigger and heavier. Voorbij is in the process of replacing old cranes in phases. This includes looking at the possibility of electrification, as that is now a hot topic. For now, however, it remains a challenge to meet on-site electricity needs."

Setting a good example

In order to still have such quiet, clean and low-vibration foundations, the Caterpillar C13 powerpack (350 hp) meets the most stringent emissions standard. The PVE 800 powerpack (755 hp) also has a Stage V diesel engine, entirely in keeping with Voorbij's sustainability philosophy. As part of the Dieseko Group, Woltman also carries sustainable innovation with the motto "Founding the Future. "To meet the climate goals, we have to go the extra mile," says CCO Ronald IJntema. "As a technology leader, we want to lead by example in this."

Dieseko does this by investing heavily in innovation capacity for emission-free heavy equipment and also by converting its own rental fleet to Stage V and zero emission drives in order to reduce CO2 emissions. IJntema: "In time, we will offer a wide range of our drilling rigs and power packs in basic electric. The first battery-powered Woltman, which we are developing with partners such as SmartGrid, will appear in early 2023, after which other models will follow. We really see a tipping point in the market now, which is ready for this next step."  

Unprecedentedly versatile

Voorbij's 160 DR is multifunctional. Although the letters in its type name suggest that it is above all a Drilling Rig, the crane can just as easily be used for piling or vibrating. The designation FR (Foundation Rig) of its predecessor was more appropriate in that respect. Christian de Heus, Sales Engineer at Woltman Piling & Drilling Rigs, explains the versatility of this 170-ton foundation rig for us. "The 160 DR can be used for various drilling techniques, when the environment demands a vibration-free and low-noise solution," De Heus knows. "In the Netherlands, one quickly thinks of soil displacement piles (FDP), such as dry-screwed, grout injection or combi piles and pipe drilling. Woltman machines guarantee high productivity here. The installation of mortar screw piles (CFA) is also possible. The 160 DR can drill auger piles up to large diameters of up to 1.5 meters. In terms of drilling guide or drill scraper, the system is thereby easily adapted to specific customer requirements."

Most applied

Voorbij's foundation machines can of course also be used as piling rigs. This involves pile drivers weighing up to 25 tons, such as the D100, S-90 or S-120. The prestressed precast concrete pile is probably the best known and most widely used concrete pile in the Netherlands. The Woltman is suitable for piles in square sizes 40 to 55. For areas with widely varying fence levels, the vibro-pile offers a solution. By extending the 46-meter long leader by another 5 meters, piles can be driven with a length of up to 40 meters. The 160 DR is also ideally suited for installing tubular piles for combi walls. The crane can handle vibratory blocks up to the PVE 70VM (with a max. eccentric moment of 70 Kgm) for setting pipes in various diameters. De Heus: "Installing sheet piling is also possible, although this is usually done freely suspended. Finally, thanks to the separate power pack, the Woltman is suitable for special applications, such as double drilling or tubular drilling with pipe and auger. We often see that technique in Germany, America or Australia."