Press releases | 2021-02-17

Wasel takes delivery of new Liebherr LTM 1650 8.1 mobile crane and orders new LR 1700 1.0 crawler crane

LTM 1650-8.1 strengthens mobile crane fleet
High performance and excellent concept of the new Liebherr LR 1700-1.0 crawler crane key features
Modular ballast trailer – great advantage for Wasel’s fleet of crawler cranes

Wasel GmbH has taken delivery of a new LTM 1650-8.1 at the Liebherr Plant in Ehingen. The new crane strengthens the mobile crane fleet at the crane and heavy haulage contractor based in Bergheim. At the same time, Wasel ordered a new LR 1700-1.0 crawler crane. The excellent concept and high performance of the new 700 tonne lattice boom crane, which Liebherr only launched recently, were key features behind the decision.

The new LTM 1650-8.1 extends the performance range of Wasel’s mobile crane fleet upwards. Thomas Wasel, who runs the business with his brother, Matthias Wasel, explains: “We decided to buy the LTM 1650-8.1 because our 500 tonne crane is now often reaching the limits of its capacity. We often need more lifting capacity, particularly for unloading machine components off ships at ports. The new crane also delivers some major benefits for erecting large construction cranes with luffing jibs.”

Matthias Wasel continues: “We deliberately chose Liebherr’s new powerful 8-axle crane because it is relatively easy to handle for such a large crane. Being able to mount the complete rear outrigger box with just one hoist on site is a really good, practical solution”.

Wasel is also adding to its range of crawler cranes – the company will receive an LR 11000 in autumn and has just placed an order for the newly launched LR 1700-1.0. “The significant increase in capacity compared to the LR 1600/2, whilst having similar dimensions, immediately appealed to us. It’s particularly useful for wind power jobs. In addition, the fact that we can use lots of components from our LR 1600/2, for example the complete luffing jib, is ideal for us”, says Thomas Wasel.

The new LR 1700-1.0 from Liebherr combines the benefits of economical transport from crawler cranes in the 600 tonne class with the performance of lattice boom cranes in the 750 tonne class and all the innovations featured in Liebherr’s crawler crane developments from the last few years, such as the VarioTray detachable ballast pallet and the V-Frame hydraulically adjustable ballast system.

Liebherr has another innovation when it comes to ballast trailers – the new modular “M-Wagon” ballast trailer is not only suitable for use with the LR 1700-1.0, but also with the LR 1800-1.0 and LR 11000 crawler cranes. “Since we do not use a ballast trailer very often, this means we can save some significant costs. It also delivers a major benefit for our crawler cranes,” says Matthias Wasel.

Wasel employs more than 400 people and has a fleet of around 140 Liebherr mobile and crawler cranes. The customer focuses on providing hoisting and transport services. The company is also a Liebherr dealer for tower cranes and operates over 400 Liebherr tower cranes itself.