Demolition of the Former Tesla Site in the Czech Republic Carried Out Using a Develon DX380DM-7 Excavator

A Develon demolition excavator, including special attachments, was recently delivered to the former Tesla site in Lanškroun in the Czech Republic. The Develon DX380DM-7 demolition excavator is playing a key role in the demolition of the historic industrial complex, which is currently underway. Its main task will be the complete demolition and disposal of rubble from the entire complex. It has about a month to complete the job. A new plant for the production of radio frequency chips is to be built on the site.

The DX380DM-7 demolition excavator will only be used once the workers from the construction company, BISA spol. s.r.o., have manually dismantled the interior of the building. There are a number of valuable raw materials here that will find further use. Only rubble and other unnecessary materials will end up in the landfill. Hand-carved beams, cast iron columns, granite staircases – all await a new role, for example in the renovation of historic buildings. The demolition work carried out by the construction company, BISA, employs about thirty workers. In addition to the excavator, there is also a crane on site. Mechanical demolition will begin when only the perimeter walls and chimneys remain of the original building.

The Develon DX380DM-7 is capable of efficiently dismantling buildings up to 23 m high, which is perfectly adequate for a four-story building. It always works in stages – as soon as the workers prepare a part of the building, it gets to work. It is equipped with a sorting grapple and, most importantly, a long demolition arm. It can then be equipped with a standard digging arm, allowing it to operate at a lower height and load waste for transport.

The operator has a live feed from the end of the arm directly to the monitor in the cab, giving them complete confidence when handling materials and demolishing. Sprinklers are available throughout the demolition process to reduce dust. Other Develon machines are also assisting with the demolition for smaller tasks. The machines are supplied and serviced by their importer in the Czech Republic, GARNEA a.s.

"The DX380DM-7 is the first Develon demolition machine we have used. However, we have extensive experience with the brand and its service, as we own a total of nine machines. We saw the excavator in action at another demolition site in the Czech Republic, and based on the good references, it was a clear choice for us. In addition, GARNEA was able to deliver the machine in record time," says Jan Bican, Managing Director of BISA, the company responsible for the demolition of the building. 

"We are pleased that Develon demolition machines are becoming increasingly popular in the specialized demolition industry. We are monitoring the job in Lanškroun in real time through the My Develon app and are ready to provide the necessary service as needed," says Vít Brůžek, Develon product manager.

"Thanks to its extendable undercarriage, the DX380DM-7 is very stable and, given the size of the job and the amount of space around the building, it was the most suitable of the four demolition models we have available."

Develon DX380DM-7 demolition excavator

The Develon DX380DM-7 demolition excavator represents the latest generation of heavy construction equipment, combining high performance with maximum operational efficiency. The machine is powered by a Stage V-compliant Scania DC09 five-cylinder engine with an output of 240 kW (326.5 HP) and a torque of 1348 Nm. Thanks to the Smart Power Control (SPC) system, four power modes and e-EPOS technology, hydraulic performance is optimized and fuel consumption is significantly reduced. With an operating weight of 47.5 tonne, the excavator is designed for intensive use in demanding operating conditions.

The robust X-shaped chassis design, forged components and reinforced booms ensure a long service life even in extreme demolition conditions. Operator comfort is enhanced by a spacious pressurized cab with a suspension seat, low noise levels and an 8 inch Smart Touch touchscreen display. For safety, the machine is equipped with a 360° camera system and anti-slip features. Maintenance is simplified thanks to easy access to all service points and automatic central lubrication. The excavator is also compatible with various attachments, including demolition hammers and quick couplers, making it a versatile tool for demolition and mining work.

Demolition attachments

The machine itself requires specialized attachments for demolition. This was handled by RENOMAG, which supplied and installed an MB Crusher sorting grapple, including a custom-made adapter.

Develon Demolition Excavator Models

History of the former Tesla site

The former Tesla site in Lanškroun has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. It originally served as a tobacco factory (in Austria-Hungary, it was one of the three largest manufacturers of cigars and cigarettes). In 1944, it was converted into an electrical engineering plant under the Siemens & Halske company. After World War II, in 1946, the plant was incorporated into the newly established national enterprise TESLA, which specialized in the production of electrolytic capacitors, resistors and potentiometers. In 1950, TESLA Lanškroun became an independent national enterprise.