MSG adds large Liebherr mobile cranes

One of MSG’s two (soon to be three) Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 all terrains at work on a wind job. Photo: Liebherr

MSG Krandienst has taken delivery of a new 300 tonne capacity wheeled mobile telescopic crane and a third 700 tonner joins the German fleet early in 2025 with another 230 tonner following in February.

Björn Jatz, MSG Krandienst managing director, left, took delivery of his new LTM 1300-6.3 from Joachim Sommer at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen. Photo: Liebherr

The 300 tonner is a Liebherr LTM 1300-6.3 on a six axle carrier. The 700 tonner will be an LTM 1650-8.1 to a high specification, including the two boom variants of 54 and 80 metres. The other new unit will be another LTM 1230-5.1 on five axles.

MSG is based mostly in Germany, close to the French city of Strasbourg and works in the cross-border Alsace-Baden region. The new Liebherr cranes will further add to the manufacturer’s quota of 55 units in the MSG fleet out of a total of 150.

Reasons to be cheerful

One of MSG’s Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1s with lattice extension, short tip and two hook operation for handling wind turbine components, including this rotor for an Enercon turbine. Photo: Liebherr

Björn Jatz, MSG managing director, went to Liebherr’s Ehingen factory for the handover of the new 300 tonner. “The 90 metre telescopic boom, which can be carried on the road with an axle load of 12 tonnes and is a unique feature of the crane in its class, was the decisive factor for us in purchasing it.”

The MSG fleet also includes the LTM 1750-9.1, the LTM 1450-8.1 and the LTM 1650-8.1. Another benefit for the new 300 tonner is that lattice sections from the jibs of the above cranes can be used on the newcomer.

Its lattice jib options include an 11.5 to 20 metre double folding jib, two 7 metre lattice sections to extend the telescopic boom, a 39 metre fixed jib and a 43 metre hydraulically adjustable jib. A maximum lifting height of 120 metres can be achieved.

Adding the third 700 tonner is largely to meet the maintenance and repowering needs of existing wind energy installations, especially in the hills around the Black Forest. Other projects keeping the MSG fleet busy include the expansion of the Rhine Valley line of the German railway.

An adjustable ballast radius helps minimise the amount that needs to be transported to and from a jobsite. Photo: Liebherr