Special equipment from Heavydrive is employed in museums throughout the world

All Heavydrive units are designed to be easily controlled by just one operator via remote control. System operation is simple and intuitive. Instructions are given by an expert in person on-site or via video call. It is also possible to book a Heavydrive operator to do the work. In-depth advice is provided as part of the service as early as the planning phase. "To ensure smooth transport and assembly operations, it is essential to go through all the dimensions and specific circumstances with the customer. This allows us to factor in ground conditions, access roads, and the like and to select the correct assembly tools", explains Günter Übelacker, Managing Director of Heavydrive. Which is why the company offers the best assembly solution for every project and is prepared for all eventualities on site.

Servicing museums around the world

The possible applications of Heavydrive's special equipment in the art sector are wide and varied - from glazing to installation. At the Craiova Art Museum (Romania) in 2021, the company installed the Brâncuși Pavilion, a work of art by Romanian architect Dorin Ștefan. The pavilion consists of large glass panes in various special arrangements, mounted horizontally and vertically. The beholder rides in a circular glass lift from the ground floor up into the work of art above. To install the panes, weighing up to 4,000 kilograms, Heavydrive developed a special suction system featuring spacers.

Heavydrive also offers customised solutions for the transport of awkward, large or heavy works of art in confined conditions. For the Rudolf Bott, PLUS QUAM... exhibition at Galerie Zink in Waldkirchen, the Heavydrive team transported a 400 kilogram wooden table and a 1,000 kilogram steel table over an indoor balcony almost four and a half metres high. To protect the delicate flooring, the Heavydrive team laid several oriented strand boards. The works of art were attached to the assembly jib of the crane via a counterweight beam. A single operator guided the object by remote control to a height of 5.5 metres.

Also in 2021, the "Phyllida Barlow frontier" exhibition was installed at the Haus der Kunst in Munich using the Heavydrive assembly crane. The compact mini-crane transported the British artist's sculptured shapes made of wood, cardboard, cement, clay, plastic pipes and textiles into the exhibition rooms and set them in position.

Safe transport of delicate works of art

Heavydrive also ensures the safe packing and transport of works of art all over the world. "We have years of experience with international projects. Consequently, we have a sophisticated logistics system and guarantee worldwide delivery within 24 hours", says Günter Übelacker. Heavydrive also ensures the items are safely packed and looks after all freight and customs documents. Via GPS real-time tracking, employees always have an eye on the freight in transit.

Back in 2008, the company transported two works of art made of steel and glass for the exhibition of installation artist Carsten Höller at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The largest element had a diameter of 3.2 metres. Heavydrive developed special racks for the works to be transported by sea. This is because special equipment was required to load the items into the freight container. As a result the "Revolving Hotel Room" and "Krutikow's Flying City Revolving" made it to New York safely and on time.