LK Leitl based in Eggenfelden has extended its fleet with the purchase of a Liebherr LTC 1050-3.1 compact crane. The company plans to use this new crane particularly for jobs inside industrial buildings and in constricted environments. The Bavarian contractor decided to buy the elevating cab option which provides the crane operator with improved visibility of the site situation.
Crane jobs in factory buildings often pose a real challenge as there is very little space either for driving or supporting a mobile crane. These jobs therefore require particularly compact cranes. Shareholder Sandro Leitl explains: “We decided to buy the LTC 1050-3.1 because we wanted it to enable us to tackle jobs inside industrial buildings and on constricted sites. It is perfect for hoisting work in tight spaces. And if things get even tighter, the front storage box can simply be removed. Furthermore, the compact Liebherr crane will even pass through clearance heights of just three metres. The LTC 1050-3.1 rounds off our fleet perfectly due to its flexibility.”
Variable single-cab crane
The cab concept used on the LTC 1050-3.1 is unique on mobile cranes. For driving on the road the cab is moved to the front of the vehicle using a telescopic arm. In this position, the crane driver has better visibility and a good driving position, particularly at high speed. The elevating cab, which can take the crane operator to an eye level of 7.8 m, opens up whole new possibilities and some significant benefits compared to conventional machines. The drastically improved visibility in a site situation enhances safety for many crane jobs. Leitl, therefore, decided to buy the elevating cab. Operations Manager Alexander Krapf reports: “The operator telescopes the cab to the precise position that gives him the best view. That was another important criterion for us when we decided to buy the LTC 1050- 3.1”.
First job erecting a prefabricated house
At its very first job, the LTC 1050-3.1 was able to demonstrate that its strengths are not restricted to jobs inside factory buildings, managing to drive along the narrow access road through a residential estate with a tight turning circle to a prefabricated house site in Bad Birnbach with consummate ease. The weight of the prefabricated components also presented no challenge for the 50-tonne crane. Crane Operator Stefan Wick, who was using the elevating cab for the first time, was delighted: “The height takes a bit of getting used to, but the visibility really is significantly better. It makes things so much easier”.
The Leitl Group
The Leitl Group has been established for more than 40 years and is a reliable partner for recycling, crane hire, forwarding, and commercial vehicles. Leitl currently has a 55-strong workforce. All six of the company’s mobile cranes have been purchased from Liebherr. Sandro Leitl says: “We have had a relationship with Liebherr since we bought our very first crane. We have always been impressed with the machines’ excellent reliability and ease of use.”
More about Liebherr-Werk Ehingen
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen is a leading manufacturer of mobile and crawler cranes. Its range of mobile cranes extends from 2-axle 35 tonne cranes to heavy duty cranes with a lifting capacity of 1200 tonnes and a 9-axle chassis. Its lattice boom cranes on mobile or crawler crane chassis deliver lifting capacities of up to 3000 tonnes. With universal boom systems and extensive additional equipment, they can be seen in action on construction sites throughout the world. The Ehingen site has a workforce of 3,600. Extensive, global service guarantees the high availability of Liebherr mobile and crawler cranes. In 2020, the Liebherr plant in Ehingen recorded a turnover of 2 billion euros.