„Krokodilka" isn't a new model name, but a nickname given to the SENNEBOGEN 683 telescopic crawler crane by Serbian drivers due to its outstanding driving characteristics on unfavourable ground conditions and superior ability in even the harshest of environments.

The SENNEBOGEN 683 is used within one hour‘s drive from the Serbian capital Belgrade in the largest lignite open-cast mine of state-controlled power company RB Kolubara. In the six open-cast mines operated by Kolubara, between 25 and 30 million tonnes of coal are mined each year in three-shift operation and used mainly to generate power in coal-fired power plants. Over 50 % of the total power required throughout Serbia is supplied by RB Kolubara.

The vast area covered by the open-cast mine and the extremely unfavourable ground conditions pose a real problem for other maintenance vehicles or AT cranes. It is often necessary to build provisional roads or use heavy-duty bulldozers to rescue sunken vehicles. That costs large amounts of both time and money. The SENNEBOGEN 683 can master even these difficult ground conditions thanks due to its robust construction and heavy-duty crawler undercarriage. The machine is mainly used to carry out maintenance work on the large bucket wheel excavator or other mining machines. The 80 t machine can be on hand in no time precisely where it is needed. And that doesn't only apply to the machine - the SENNEBOGEN 683 can be moved comfortably under load. It offers a particular advantage when transporting parts weighing up to 30 t or adjusting conveyor belts. No roads or bulldozers are required, resulting in massive savings with regard to both time and cost!

An advantage confirmed by customer RB Kolubara, who is full of praise for the 683 and the support provided by SENNEBOGEN distribution partner PH&M. „The machine has significantly increased our efficiency and flexibility and we can rely on the service provided by PH&M completely. Our work covers an extremely large area and we often need to travel distances of up to 5 km. The 683 is the only machine we can use for maintenance work over the entire area and for all machines", states the responsible person for maintenance of the mining machines at RB Kolubara.

The driver is also extremely impressed by the comfortable work conditions and can no longer imagine working without the 683. The „Krokodilka" can be used with a load hook or work platform and covers a wide range of uses. This example clearly demonstrates the unique nature of SENNEBOGEN telescopic crawler cranes and the advantages they offer compared with standard AT mobile cranes.