Maintenance operation at the hydroelectric power plant.

Example Thurnsdorf power plant: It was built in 1964. The dam wall is only 2.5 m wide. A conventional crane would not get you very far if heavy components of the complex dam and turbine technology need to be replaced. The positive experiences of recent decades with the Unimog as the Ennskraftwerke team's loyal companion made the decision for a new model from Wörth an easy one.

The Unimog U 323 copes well with the local conditions. And not only the quality of the vehicle, but also the service offering and the consistently prompt support from Pappas Nutzfahrzeuge were factors that led them to choose the Unimog again. With the crane body and the installation of various special technical fittings by the Styrian company FMG, a genuine tailor-made solution could be configured — one that also incorporates the wishes and practical experience of the employees of Ennskraftwerke.

The confidence in the equipment, including the loading crane, is unshakable—after all, Edwin Mühlberger is 20 m further down the dam for the structure inspection, suspended on a steel cable in a work basket. He inspects the structure, for example for cracks. Thanks to hydraulic outriggers, the Unimog U 323 doesn't move a millimetre. A few hand signals are enough to indicate to his colleague Paul Wieninger where to maneuver the man in the basket. "Nothing works in such situations without trust in people and technology," says Jakov Jakic, who is responsible for this operational area at Ennskraftwerke.

The chain of power plants on the Enns is operated in the so-called peaking operation. Electricity demand—and therefore production—is about four times higher during the day than at night. For this reason, in the upper-stage power plants the water is impounded at night and released in larger quantities during the day. This makes it possible to increase electricity production during the day despite the Enns' steady inflow.

Project implemented in collaboration with Unimog general distributor:
Pappas