The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) Working with LTC 1050-3.1 Mobile Cranes from Liebherr

Todate Liebherr has delivered nine cranes to various local organisations in an order for 12 LTC 1050-3.1 mobile cranes placed by the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW). THW President Sabine Lackner says: “Cranes are an indispensable tool for the specialist bridge construction groups. They enable THW personnel to lift heavy bridge elements and assemble them into structures that can reach spans of over 80m. The fact that THW has erected over three dozen temporary bridges in the past three years shows how important these vehicles are.”

The LTC 1050-3.1 is a particularly compact mobile crane with a single cab which is used for both on-road driving and for crane operations. For driving on the road, the cab is moved forwards to the front of the vehicle using a telescopic arm, giving the driver better visibility and a better driving feel, particularly at high speeds. The optional elevating cab creates even greater flexibility and some significant benefits as it raises the operator to a height of 7.8m. This raised perspective not only provides an excellent view of the site situation, but also considerably enhances safety for complex crane work.

Andreas Schneider, who is responsible for vehicle procurement at THW, explains: “After 25 years of service, it was time for our mobile cranes to be replaced with new models. Liebherr was awarded the contract for the LTC 1050-3.1 in the tender. We wanted a compact, manoeuvrable mobile crane with high performance. The Liebherr 50 tonner meets all our requirements. We are now once again planning on a service life of 25 years for the new cranes.” Liebherr was initially awarded the order for nine cranes with the option for a further eleven. The THW has since ordered three LTC 1050-3.1 machines from this option and these are due to be delivered before the end of the year. These mobile cranes will be delivered to THW specialist bridge building groups throughout Germany.

The LTC 1050-3.1 from the Witten THW Local Organisation supporting the dismantling of a temporary bridge in the Ahr Valley.

Bridge construction is one of THW’s core skills. The construction of temporary bridges is especially important after natural disasters, since they are integral parts of local and national infrastructure. The THW has demonstrated its skills in temporary bridge construction at numerous locations both nationally and internationally. The THW’s emergency response teams erected 30 temporary bridges in the Ahr valley following Storm “Bernd” in summer 2021. Last summer, they installed several bridges in Slovenia. In addition to bridge construction, the THW uses its mobile cranes for general handling and lifting work and also for responding to road accidents involving heavy vehicles. Several of the LTC 1050-3.1 cranes that have already been delivered have already been used by THW in practice.

The first LTC 1050-3.1 from the THW order was delivered to the State of Baden-Württemberg is mid-July. It went to the local organisation in Müllheim. Among those who attended the official handover ceremony at Liebherr’s manufacturing plant in Ehingen were Dietmar Löffler, THW State Officer for Baden-Württemberg, and Martin Gerster, Member of the German Bundestag and President of the THW Federal Organisation (THW-BV). THW-BV regards itself as a communications hub and link between THW, the THW Youth Organisation, honorary officials, politicians and industry.

Featured Title photograph

Crane handover in Ehingen (from left to right): Alexander Schwald (Sales Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH), Dietmar Löffler (THW State Officer for Baden-Württemberg), Jonas Lorenz (Executive, German Federal Agency for Technical Relief), Martin Gerster (President of the THW Federal Organisation / Member of the German Bundestag), Paula Rentzsch (Section Leader of Section E5 Engineering – THW management team), Marko Heinig (Emergency Deployment/Equipment for the State Organisation of Saxony and Thuringia, responsible for Dresden Local Organisation), Daniel Pitzer (Commercial Director, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH)

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