Porta Westfalica, Germany — The Bokshorn gravel pit has strengthened its extraction operations with the introduction of a SENNEBOGEN 6100 HD duty cycle crawler crane, delivering improved flexibility, efficiency, and reduced energy consumption following the expansion of its quarrying area.
Founded in 1882, the family-run Bokshorn gravel pit produces approximately 150,000 tonnes of sand and gravel annually for the concrete and paving industries. After Henrik Franke assumed management of the business in 2024, the extraction area was expanded, creating the need for more adaptable and efficient equipment.
To meet these requirements, the company replaced its older electric scraper system with the 100-ton SENNEBOGEN 6100 HD duty cycle crane, equipped with a 3.5-cubic-yard dragline bucket. Prior to purchase, the gravel pit tested a smaller rental machine, which confirmed the suitability of SENNEBOGEN’s duty cycle crane concept for its operations.
“Our priority is effectiveness rather than speed,” said Franke. “We want to work sustainably and make full use of the gravel pit’s capacity. The required digging depth of 12 metres was a key factor in choosing this machine size.”
The crane’s 29.9-metre lattice boom, combined with integrated fairleads and deflection rollers, allows precise and controlled dredging while minimizing wear on cables. This configuration enables accurate material extraction far in front of the machine, helping to preserve the quarry edge for longer periods.
Greater Mobility and Versatility
The crawler undercarriage allows the SENNEBOGEN 6100 HD to be moved easily across the site, significantly increasing operational flexibility. The machine has already been used for a wide range of tasks, including renaturation work, canal excavation, and maintaining water supply to pumping systems—tasks that previously required external contractors.
Unlike the former fixed electric system, the new crane operates independently of a permanent power supply, allowing it to be redeployed quickly between the old and newly expanded extraction areas.
Overall, the investment has provided Bokshorn gravel pit with a more efficient, mobile, and sustainable extraction solution, better aligned with modern quarrying demands.
