Künz delivered its first large-scale reference installation to Schwaiger Holzindustrie in Germany, designed for an annual handling capacity of approximately 510 million board feet of logs. By the end of this year, another system will start operating in the United States, where it will handle around 2.5 billion board feet annually.
“Customers increasingly want solutions that can unload an entire truck in a single grab,” says Roman Beer, who develops special systems at Künz. Speaking with Holzkurier, he outlines the key benefits for the sawmill and timber industry.
High space utilization
Logs can be stacked higher, aisles are eliminated, and the entire yard area becomes usable storage space. This can almost double storage capacity compared with a traditional mobile-equipment yard layout. A larger storage yard also offers strategic advantages: “You can buy and store more logs when prices are low, making operations less dependent on market fluctuations,” Beer explains.
Durability, cost-effectiveness – and zero local emissions
A gantry crane from Künz is designed for a service life of at least 25 years. When comparing the system with several mobile machines required to achieve the same handling performance, the economic benefits become clear.
“At first glance, a gantry crane may look like a major investment. But when you compare it with the combined acquisition, energy and personnel costs of multiple mobile machines, the purchase quickly becomes more than justified,” Beer says.
Because Künz systems operate fully electrically and without hydraulics, maintenance requirements are significantly reduced. A gantry crane typically needs only around 25% of the maintenance effort of several mobile units — and since the system runs electrically, it produces no local CO₂ emissions. Regenerated power can even be fed back into the electrical grid.
Safety, convenience – and local service in the United States
From the elevated operator cabin, drivers have an optimal view of both the grab and the log piles. With no personnel working near the stacks, safety is greatly improved. In the upcoming U.S. installation, the crane will even be controlled from a remote station in the office, offering a low-noise and low-vibration working environment. Automation supports the operator, increases efficiency, and reduces handling errors.
Künz also supports customers in North America with local service teams, ensuring fast response times and reliable long-term operation.
Circular Crane – a new member of the Künz product family
In addition to classic gantry cranes, Künz has expanded its portfolio with the Circular Crane, a dedicated solution for yards with limited space or specific layout constraints. As a new member of the Künz crane family, the Circular Crane combines proven electric drive technology with a compact, radial working concept, offering sawmill operators additional flexibility in yard design while maintaining the same high standards of efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
“Sawmill operators often take notice when they hear about space savings, reduced noise and dust, and improved safety,” Beer says. “For many mills, gantry and circular crane systems are more than an upgrade — they represent a new level of yard efficiency.”
