pewag levo Compensator Supports Precise Balcony Installation

A pewag levo Load Compensator supplied by LiftingXperts has enabled AKOR Group to safely level and install prefabricated balcony elements on a new 75-metre residential tower in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Installing large, prefabricated elements on a completed façade requires careful control. Each balcony had to remain steady during lifting before being accurately aligned and secured by the project team.

The pewag levo Load Compensator was combined with pewag Grade 10 lifting chains and hooks to securely distribute the load across the balcony elements. Operated by radio remote control, the system allowed the lifting team to adjust and level each balcony as it was moved into position by crane.

By enabling controlled adjustments during the lift, the compensator reduced the need for manual intervention and helped the team install the balconies safely and efficiently at height.

Hydraulic Control from a Safe Distance

The pewag levo Load Compensator is designed to keep loads steady and evenly distributed. Its remote-control system allows lifting and placement to be managed from a safe distance, helping keep personnel away from potential danger while providing accurate control during positioning.

The compensator has a standard stroke of 500mm and is available in combined working load limits of 24, 34 and 50 tonnes. Optional load pins can also be installed on each cylinder to provide load information through an accompanying display.

The pewag levo Load Balancer and Compensator is the first hydraulically driven system of its kind on the market. Compared with electronically driven alternatives, its hydraulic operation delivers smoother, more precise valve control while reducing energy consumption and maintenance requirements. Integrated floodlights improve visibility in low-light conditions, while an operating range of -20°C to +60°C supports use across demanding environments.

Precise Positioning at Height

Located in the centre of Schalkwijk, the tower forms part of the area’s wider regeneration, replacing an outdated shopping centre with a new destination where living, working and shopping come together. Constructed by AKOR Group, the development comprises 220 homes, many featuring generous outdoor spaces arranged in a stepped formation across the façade.

Unlike conventional construction sequences, the building’s façade is being completed before the prefabricated balconies are lifted into place. This required a lifting solution capable of compensating for uneven load distribution and precisely levelling each balcony as it was guided towards its final position.

Supporting Modern Construction Methods

The Haarlem project demonstrates how remotely controlled lifting technology can support projects that increasingly rely on off-site manufacture and prefabricated building elements.

For housing applications, the pewag levo Load Compensator is designed to provide the precision needed for unit installation, helping construction teams position prefabricated elements more safely and reliably. Its ability to compensate for uneven loads makes it particularly suited to components that must be accurately aligned before being connected to a building.

“We always look for smart construction methods that combine speed with quality. Commongrounds brings those two together” said Jeffrey Ossendrijver, Project Manager at AKOR. “The pewag levo Load Compensator allowed the team to level each balcony during the lift and guide it accurately into position against the completed façade.”

AKOR is building Commongrounds at the Rivieraplein in Schalkwijk, Haarlem, for Dalpha Real Estate. The 23-storey residential tower will include 220 rental apartments, three commercial spaces and a car park. AKOR uses prefabricated concrete façade elements and builds without scaffolding. The tower will also feature green balconies, a water retention roof and a sustainable heating and cooling system.

Specialist Equipment for a Complex Installation

“The stepped arrangement of the balconies is a defining feature of this development, but it also creates a demanding installation process,” said Andy Charlesworth, Sales Director at pewag UK Group. “The pewag levo Load Compensator gave the project team the control needed to level and position each element from a safe distance. It shows how combining hydraulic lifting technology with pewag chains and components can make complex installation work safer, simpler and more efficient.”

The project highlights the role of specialist lifting equipment in modern construction, where accurately positioning prefabricated components can help reduce manual handling, support efficient workflows and minimise the risk of damage during installation.

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