Heavyweight loading begins – two new cranes for Flossdorf

“We are simply very satisfied with our first LTM 1650-8.1, which we purchased almost three years ago. Impressive load capacities, high performance and great flexibility characterise this machine. That's why we wanted to expand our fleet with a second crane in this class, and in impressive fashion,” says Marco Flossdorf, authorised signatory at the enterprising company. “We use these two extremely powerful cranes on bridge construction sites and on wind farms, among other things. We also use them for jobs in industry, refineries and heavy-duty handling.”

From the outset, the task of loading machine parts weighing 115 tonnes demanded the full power of the new mobile crane. After departing the Liebherr plant in Ehingen, it headed directly to the Rhine harbour in Andernach. There, three heavyweight components belonging to a mechanical engineering company were waiting to be loaded onto a barge. Early in the morning, still in the dark, Sascha Vogt started his mobile crane at the edge of the harbour basin. The machine had been set up there ready for lifting the day before. Now the lifting gear had to be prepared to transport the massive cargo safely into the belly of the barge. The numerous spotlights on the telescopic boom and superstructure of the LTM 1650-8.1 turned night into day – a big plus in terms of occupational safety when handling loads and working in the vicinity of the crane.

“Liebherr always places great importance on safety, quality and reliability in design and production,” says Marco Flossdorf. “This also applies to the LTM 1650-8.1. Despite its impressive size, it is very mobile and flexible. VarioBallast® and VarioBase® make the crane safe in different working environments and allow us to use it in a broad range of applications. When making purchases, we also ensure that our machines fulfil the highest environmental standards and consume energy efficiently.”

13.4 tonnes of ballast on the road

“This is particularly true of the new LTM 1110-5.2, our third crane in this load capacity class,” says Flossdorf. “Thanks to its design and power, this 110-tonne crane is a truly universal mobile crane. The fact that it can carry up to 13.4 tonnes of ballast on the road naturally makes it even more convenient for us. And the new design and cab interior appeal not only to me, but also to our drivers.”

Sascha Vogt also finds his new LTM 1650-8.1 very comfortable, even after four weeks of continuous use. “Working and, above all, on-road driving with my new crane – it's all very pleasant,” reports the crane operator, who previously operated an LTM 1110-5.1. After completing the heavy-duty loading work in Andernach, he and his colleague Alex Lux spent a few days at the refinery and then several weeks positioning room modules with a gross load of 14 tonnes at a maximum radius of 50 metres. His conclusion: “Everything went smoothly.”

The two men and their new large crane carried out all these jobs exclusively with the T5 main boom, which can be telescoped up to 80 metres. “However, we purchased all the equipment for the crane,” says Sascha Vogt. “Even our first LTM 1650-8.1 has both boom variants and the luffing lattice jib. The only difference is that the new luffing jib with the articulated NK system offers enormous advantages during set-up when we have little space available.”

Flossdorf was founded in 1953 and now employs around 60 people. It purchased its first mobile crane in 1967 and currently operates around 20 mobile cranes. Dietmar Flossdorf GmbH's portfolio also includes heavy haulage, work platform and car hire, as well as a recovery and towing service.