The KMC1600S demolition excavator – a project that raises the bar

“Whenever new, large-scale construction projects are implemented in Germany, an old building usually needs to be demolished first and the site revitalised. Even after blasting, further demolition may still be necessary at heights in excess of 35 metres. This is also case at this particular construction site. For jobs of this kind, the contractor needs the right machines. And KTEG is the perfect partner. With our experience and expertise, we specialise in providing this kind of equipment,” says Harald Thum, Managing Director of KTEG GmbH, describing one of the core competencies of his company. “Often, the requirements lie outside the standard scope, as is the case here in Lünen. At KTEG, we develop and build solutions for these and other projects in close coordination with our customers. The Hagedorn Group also found what they were looking for in us. Together, we tailored the KMC machine concept precisely to their requirements during a project phase lasting several months.”

KTEG GmbH, a German company and part of the Kiesel Group, has chosen to focus on developing and building customised solutions of this kind in Germany. Its success story began in 2013 – since then, the company has established itself as the market leader with a market share of over 60% in the demolition segment.
Thirty engineers are currently tasked with the ongoing development of its products. Thanks to the Kiesel Group’s comprehensive sales, service and spare parts network, KTEG’s customers can rely on a strong partner with over 60 years of experience in the industry.

“KTEG stands for solutions without compromise, whether in consulting, development, construction or after-sales service. Thanks to our short communication paths, we are always there for our customers,” Thum continues. “Essentially, our KMC is comparable to the tried-and-tested Swiss army knife. Within a large modular system, we select the right equipment to meet the customer’s requirements, which then delivers perfect results in combination with the chosen attachment. In doing so, we think “out-of-the-box”, i.e. we focus completely on the specific industry and the planned application. An approach that is simply out of the question for most other manufacturers that specialise in large-scale production. At KTEG, we are more flexible in this respect and can process orders of all sizes, from single units to series orders.”

Even the process of transporting the excavator and its attachments from Geisingen in Baden to Lünen in Westphalia caused a sensation. No least since the individual components were spread across nine heavy-duty trucks. Despite some delays due to wintry road conditions, the trucks eventually reached their destination safely, where the machine was set up with the right attachment for the job at hand.

The ceremonial handover of an excavator to its new owner is a tradition at the Kiesel Group. Nevertheless, a handover of this magnitude is not something you experience every day. Reason enough, then, to stage the event in the style of a ship launching ceremony! Acting as the “godmother”, Managing Director Barbara Hagedorn duly unleashed an impressive 3-litre champagne bottle which smashed against the KMC1600S in proper style in front of the guests, press representatives and employees.

Then, without further ado, it was time to get to work. The KMC1600S impressively demonstrated its performance, power and range. Thanks to the various booms – such as the telescopic high-reach attachment, which is available depending on the assignment – it can carry out demolition work up to a height of 60 metres. In parallel, depending on the mission requirements, it can employ a triple-boom attachment that can be extended step by step from 21 to 36 metres by means of extension pieces.

“The new challenges and dimensions demand these innovative solutions. The KMC, which was tailor-made for our requirements, is a high-performance machine that can handle our increasingly complex dismantling projects more efficiently,” says Thomas Hagedorn, managing partner of the Hagedorn Group.

In the coming months, the KMC1600S will play an important role in creating new living space at the former industrial site in Lünen.

The Hagedorn company is currently restoring the site of the former dolomite pit in Hagen, where, alongside other machines, Germany’s largest demolition excavator – the KTEG KMC1600S – is demonstrating its incredible power. This demolition excavator, specially designed and developed for tough applications, is a comprehensive complete solution that can operate right up to the limits of physics. Thanks to its boom quick change system, the right attachment for the job can be coupled in next to no time – for demolition work at heights exceeding 60 metres.