With multiple subsidiaries and production facilities worldwide, the Montanhydraulik Group is today considered to be a leading provider of hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic systems. Founded in 1952, Montanhydraulik, with headquarters in Holzwickede, Germany, specialises in the manufacture of high-tech hydraulic cylinders that can be found in mobile cranes, large excavators, reservoir dams and offshore applications, as well as in tunnel boring machines, steel plants and variety of customised solutions.

Wide range of cylinders and complete system design

The product range includes differential, telescopic and synchronised cylinders, as well as rotary actuators, piston accumulators, counter-balance lock valves and the designing and fabrication of complete hydraulic and electric drive systems. Strategic cooperation with the Dutch company Muns Techniek has made it possible for Montanhydraulik to considerably extend its engagement in the offshore market segment. The international company specialises in the development and manufacture of complete hydraulic systems, from small power packs to custom-built jacking systems.

Intelligent electrical control and software systems

Modern controllers developed by Muns Techniek ensure smooth and precise coordination of all steering functions. All system components are controlled by local programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that are each set inside a control cabinet, and, if needed, powered by soft starters.

48 cylinders, with a weight of about 12t, a diameter of 630mm and a length of 5.6m to 8.6m, develop a tensile force of 9,200kN each.

The jacking system is equipped with two movable, opposing lifting frames per leg, cylinders and locking pins. The control system allows platform lifting via all four legs in synch.

Intelligent control system: an entire hydraulic subsystem integrated into one manifold block.

Smooth and precise coordination of all steering functions are controlled by local programmable logic controllers (PLCs), each inside a control cabinet, and if needed powered by soft starters.

©Hochtief: The jack-up system can lift 25,000t out of the water and consists of 48 corrosion-resistant cylinders, the respective rig fixation systems, guide frames and the corresponding electrical control system.

The control system and its components are designed for long operating periods and are thus correspondingly reliable and maintenance-free. Both companies aim to develop systems that are not only durable and loadable, but which also contribute in making processes economical, flexible, environmentally-sustainable and controllable.

Equipped for special customer requirements

The requirements placed on Montanhydraulik have different focuses: weight optimisation, cost optimisation, fatigue strength, corrosion resistance and low-maintenance. To realise interfaces to customers’ machines and systems, our engineers also develop drive controls, with highly-complex control technology, integrated displacement measurement systems or special valves.

The constantly increasing component and system requirements demand a detailed knowledge about the behaviour of components and materials. Montanhydraulik completes this knowledge with continuous investigations in research and development, as well as several test bench investigations which comprise of fatigue design appraisal and serve to research basic principles.

Portfolio of services and products

• Differential cylinders (up to Ø 800mm and 21,000mm stroke)
• Telescopic cylinders with hydraulic retraction (up to Ø 500mm and 28,000mm stroke)
• Synchronised cylinders (up to Ø 500mm and 28,000mm stroke)
• Rotary actuators (up to 500kNm)
• Piston accumulators (volumes between 0.6L and 3,500L; 160 bar, 240 bar, 400 bar)
• Counter balance lock valves (cartridge and modular construction, up to 42NW)
• Hydraulic pump units
• Hydraulic oil tanks
• Manifold blocks
• Electrical control cabinets
• Soft starter boxes
• Control panels
• Sliding blocks
• Locking pins
• Cooling units
• Operating desk with HMI
• Multiport swivels

Jack-up vessel with double-acting lifting system

Muns Techniek’s system technology, paired with tailor-made hydraulic cylinders of Montanhydraulik, is installed in many offshore systems of renowned installation companies. They guarantee a safe stand in water depths of up to 50m, not only for jack-up platforms, for example Odin and Thor of Hochtief, but also for superior systems like the jack-up vessel Vidar.

This ship converts into a jack-up platform due to the hydraulic lowering of four movable legs with a length of 90m and a diameter of 4.80m. The jack-up system can lift a total weight of 25,000t out of the water. It consists of 48 corrosion-resistant cylinders, the respective rig fixation systems and guide frames, as well as the corresponding electrical control system.

The hydraulic construction is characterised by two mobile guide frames per leg, which are placed on top of each other. Their movement is regulated by means of a synchronous control unit. Muns Techniek developed the control system in order to ensure the synchronous lifting and lowering of the four legs by the necessary stroke, without the platform having to be stopped.

For any enquiries or further information please do not hesitate to contact us directly.