Tadano ATF 100 G-4 Lifts Iconic Bullhead Onto Wacken Festival Stage
Kranverleih Wilhelm has used a Tadano ATF 100 G-4 mobile crane to lift the iconic Bullhead onto the main stage structure at the Wacken Open Air Festival 2026 in Germany.
The steel skull, weighing approximately 2.5 tonnes and standing 10 meters tall, is one of the festival’s most recognisable landmarks.
The lifting operation required precise crane positioning, careful coordination and close monitoring of challenging weather conditions.
In addition, the St. Michaelisdonn-based crane rental company deployed a Tadano HK 50 for supporting assembly work.
Tadano ATF 100 G-4 Supports Wacken Stage Construction
Wacken Open Air attracts heavy metal fans from around the world to the small village of Wacken in northern Germany.
Before the festival begins, construction teams spend several weeks assembling stages, platforms, lighting systems and technical equipment.
Kranverleih Wilhelm plays an important role in these preparations, providing cranes and lifting services throughout the setup process.
The Tadano ATF 100 G-4 was already operating on the festival grounds before the Bullhead installation.
Its initial tasks included lifting and positioning components for the structure that would eventually support the giant steel skull.
However, the crowded construction environment created significant logistical challenges.
Multiple contractors worked simultaneously, requiring careful coordination of equipment, materials and lifting schedules.
Markus Olma, Head of Stage Construction for the event organiser, explained that getting the right materials to the right location at the right time was one of the biggest challenges.
Precision Lift Places 2.5-Tonne Bullhead at 28 Meters
Installing the Bullhead was among the most demanding lifting operations during the festival preparations.
Crane operator Marco Levin had to position the heavy steel structure close to assembly workers operating approximately 28 meters above ground.
The crew worked from narrow catwalks measuring just 60 centimeters wide.
Consequently, the operation required exceptional precision to bring the suspended load safely into position.
“You have to operate with great precision and bring the load to the crew extremely carefully,” Levin explained.
Olma also highlighted the difficulty of guiding a 2.5-tonne structure toward workers positioned on such narrow platforms.
Strong Winds Create Additional Lifting Challenges
Weather conditions added another complication during the Bullhead installation.
Strong winds, with gusts reaching approximately 11 meters per second, affected the festival grounds.
The lifting team therefore waited for a suitable opportunity when wind conditions improved.
Once the wind subsided, the crew proceeded with the operation.
Levin configured the Tadano ATF 100 G-4 with a 36.9-meter main boom and its full 26.5-tonne counterweight.
He first lifted the steel skull into position before separately hoisting the two horns.
The stage construction crew then secured the components to complete the installation.
Following the operation, Olma praised Levin’s crane-handling skills and the precision demonstrated throughout the lift.
Tadano Crane Delivers Reliable Performance
The Tadano ATF 100 G-4 has been part of Kranverleih Wilhelm’s fleet for several years.
The company regularly uses the crane for different lifting applications, including demanding festival construction projects.
According to Levin, the machine has consistently delivered dependable performance throughout the year.
“The crane operates without a hitch, summer or winter—we’ve never had any trouble with our ATF 100,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tadano Service Coordinator Florian Lodes highlighted the crane’s operational flexibility.
Lodes has supported Wilhelm’s ATF 100 G-4 since 2018 and has developed a longstanding working relationship with the company.
He explained that the four-axle crane can transport its required 26.5-tonne counterweight on a trailer, allowing the lifting team to prepare efficiently for demanding operations.
Kranverleih Wilhelm Highlights Longstanding Tadano Partnership
Kranverleih Wilhelm operates a fleet consisting almost entirely of Tadano cranes.
The family-run company provides crane rental, transport and logistics services across the Schleswig-Holstein region.
Jasmin Wilhelm said the company continues to choose Tadano equipment because of its performance, quality and service support.
“We run almost exclusively Tadano cranes in our fleet—not only because of the high quality and immense performance capabilities of these machines, but also because of the excellent Tadano service we have happily relied on for many years,” she said.
Furthermore, the company values the combination of experienced operators, reliable machinery and responsive technical support.
These factors are particularly important for festival construction projects, where several contractors must complete complex tasks within tight schedules.
Tadano Completes Another Wacken Festival Milestone
The successful Bullhead installation marked an important stage in preparations for Wacken Open Air 2026.
Although the lift represented only one part of the extensive festival setup, it restored one of the event’s most famous visual landmarks.
For Kranverleih Wilhelm, the operation demonstrated the importance of precision lifting, equipment reliability and effective teamwork.
The Tadano ATF 100 G-4 Wacken Festival operation also highlighted the crane’s ability to support complex lifting work under demanding site and weather conditions.
With the Bullhead and its horns securely installed, the iconic structure was ready to welcome heavy metal fans back to Wacken’s main stages.
