Liftinghero Willi from Tyrol
"For me, sitting up there is a taste of freedom."
For Willi (Yildirim Köse), his crane is more than just a machine—it’s his workplace, his sanctuary, and a piece of freedom all at once. The Tyrolean has been working as a crane operator since 2009, using his precision and experience to ensure that everything arrives at the right place at the right time on the construction site.
For up to ten hours a day, his cabin serves as both his workplace and his second home. A small coffee maker and a refrigerator, among other things, provide the necessary comforts. Some days, he even makes a point of arriving at the construction site an hour early so he can sit high up in peace, drink a cup of coffee, and enjoy the sunrise over the mountains. “For me, sitting up there is a bit of freedom,” he says enthusiastically.
A Calm Approach to the Workday
Willi began his career as a bricklayer at a small company. Since there was no crane there, much of the work had to be done by hand. At some point, he decided he no longer wanted to do the heavy lifting himself. At first, he worked with cranes that were controlled from the ground. Later, he switched to large top-slewing cranes. “I’ve really worked my way up,” he says with a laugh. “I love it when heavy loads seem to glide effortlessly through the air and when I safely position concrete, steel, or entire structural components in place.”
Today, wind, tight deadlines, and challenging lifts are part of his daily routine. Even when things get hectic, Willi stays calm. Much of it has become routine for him by now. Still, the responsibility is ever-present with every move.
Technology He Can Rely On
For Willi, good visibility is a crucial safety factor. Cameras can show him areas that would otherwise be out of sight from the cab. In his opinion, they should be standard equipment, especially on top-loading trucks. After all, radio communication alone cannot always replace a direct view of the load.
Scenes from the major construction site near Nassereith on the way to the Fern Pass
A major construction site near Nassereith, heading toward the Fern Pass, left a particularly strong impression on him. He worked there for a year with a Liebherr 220 EC-B and a 150 EC-B. The weather, the wind, and the complex procedures demanded a great deal of organization. “You gain the most experience on large construction sites like this one. You have to find solutions faster and learn to handle pressure. Every move simply has to be spot-on,” explains Willi.
- Daily Communication
- From Colleagues to Friends
- A Passion That Brings People Together
Although Willi spends many hours alone in his cab, communicating with other crane operators is particularly important to him. Through a WhatsApp group, he stays in daily contact with colleagues from Tyrol, South Tyrol, and Switzerland. There, they share experiences, tips, and impressions from their daily work.
Although Willi spends many hours alone in his cab, communicating with other crane operators is particularly important to him. Through a WhatsApp group, he stays in daily contact with colleagues from Tyrol, South Tyrol, and Switzerland. There, they share experiences, tips, and impressions from their daily work.
His personal motto?
Passion, precision, and safety—that’s exactly what our profession stands for.
These are values that have guided Willi for many years and continue to shape his daily work to this day.
What is a liftinghero in our opinion:
Tower cranes shape the image of every construction site. And what about the people who assemble, maintain, operate and work with the cranes? Whether crane operators, service technicians, fitters or construction site workers - you are the heroes of the construction site!
Only through you is the lifting of loads on the construction sites of this world possible.
Show us your workplace and tell us why your job is your passion.