Hack Schwerlastservice Expands Heavy Lift Capability with Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 Mobile Crane

30-Second Takeaway

Hack Schwerlastservice GmbH has strengthened its heavy lifting fleet with the addition of a Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1, now the most powerful mobile crane in the company’s lineup. Chosen for its exceptional lifting performance, compact eight-axle design, and fast availability, the 700-tonne-class crane proved its value immediately by dismantling a historic steel bridge over the River Lahn. The investment ensures Hack can meet growing demand for high-capacity lifts across infrastructure, wind energy, rail, and port projects, without compromise on flexibility or setup speed.

New for old: the telescopic boom, extended to 43 metres, sets down the bridge in front of the LTM 1650-8.1. The new bridge is already prepared under the tarpaulins,

Hack Schwerlastservice GmbH has taken delivery of an LTM 1650-8.1. The 700-tonne model from Liebherr is now the most powerful mobile crane in the Neuwied company's fleet. The high performance and compact dimensions of the LTM 1650-8.1 were major criteria behind the decision to buy. And due to the short lead times, Hack chose a modern used crane. It has already proven its ability on the dismantling of an old steel bridge.

Company owner Udo Hack explains: “The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 is the market's most compact and powerful 700-tonne mobile crane on eight axles. Since we have a high demand for missions involving this high performance class, we wanted to purchase the Liebherr crane without delay. However due to the long lead time for a new crane, we would not have been able to complete a number of jobs. Fortunately, Liebherr was able to offer us a young, used LTM 1650-8.1 with only a few operating hours and kilometres on the clock, which was delivered very promptly. The Liebherr plant had inspected the crane and we’re able to proudly say that we made exactly the right decision. We have complete faith in Liebherr’s service team.”

Gerhard Mees is full of praise for his new crane.

The LTM 1650-8.1 is a universal crane with a wide range of boom configurations. This is why Hack is planning to use its new acquisition for a broad array of missions: rail and road bridges, heavy lifting jobs in harbours such as ship loading or precast concrete parts, as well as the construction, dismantling and maintenance of wind power plants.

Proven prowess on its very first job The LTM 1650-8.1’s first mission took it to Wetzlar. In the district of Naunheim, an old pedestrian bridge over the River Lahn needed to be dismantled in order to create space for a new bridge. The 50-metre-long and four-metre-wide steel bridge was built in 1906 and no longer fulfilled safety requirements. Crane operator Gerhard Mees equipped the LTM 1650-8.1 with 155 tonnes of ballast. With a boom radius of 35.8 metres, the crane raised the bridge that had previously been freed from its position with cutting torches.

“The bridge weighed 27.5 tonnes, but the LTM 1650-8.1 would have been able to lift up to 42 tonnes with this boom radius. The LTM 1650-8.1 was set up in a short space of time and the lifting operations turned out to be extremely simple. The crane is as strong as an ox, but its controls are as sensitive as a racehorse”, says Mees, praising the new addition to the Hack fleet.

Outdated: the LTM 1650-8.1 from Hack dismantles and old steel bridge over the River Lahn near Wetzlar. A temporary bridge has already been erected next to it.

About Hack Schwerlastservice GmbH

Hack Schwerlastservice GmbH is a Germany-based, family-owned heavy lifting and logistics specialist with a history dating back to 1959. Founded by Werner Hack Senior and now operated by the second generation, the company has grown into a multi-location provider offering comprehensive solutions across crane rental, heavy haulage, industrial assembly, and recovery services.

Hack operates more than 36 mobile cranes, the majority supplied by Liebherr, ranging from compact units to heavy-duty classes. With branches across Düsseldorf, the Eifel region, Westerwald, and Frankfurt, the company supports complex projects in infrastructure, energy, construction, and industry. Its portfolio also includes mobile folding cranes, specialized electric cranes for indoor assembly, work platforms, and towing and recovery services.

🔗 Website: https://www.hack-schwerlastservice.de/

About Liebherr Mobile & Crawler Cranes

Liebherr is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mobile and crawler cranes, renowned for engineering precision, innovation, and reliability. Its mobile crane portfolio ranges from 35-tonne two-axle cranes to 1,200-tonne heavy-duty models, while crawler cranes reach lifting capacities of up to 3,000 tonnes.

Manufactured primarily at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen (Germany), Liebherr cranes are supported by a global service network ensuring high availability and long-term operational performance. Advanced technologies such as VarioBase®, VarioBallast®, LICCON control systems, and modular boom concepts enable safe and efficient lifting across infrastructure, wind energy, industrial, and port applications worldwide.

🔗 Liebherr Mobile & Crawler Cranes: https://www.liebherr.com/en-us/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-and-crawler-cranes-4407715

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Hack Schwerlastservice choose the Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1?

Hack selected the LTM 1650-8.1 for its unique combination of high lifting capacity (700 tonnes) and compact eight-axle design, making it one of the most versatile heavy mobile cranes on the market. The crane delivers performance comparable to larger machines while maintaining excellent mobility and fast setup times.

Why was a used crane selected instead of a new one?

Due to long lead times for new cranes, Hack opted for a young, factory-inspected used LTM 1650-8.1 supplied directly through Liebherr. This allowed the company to respond immediately to upcoming projects while still benefiting from Liebherr’s quality assurance and full service support.

What was the crane’s first project?

The crane’s first assignment was the dismantling of a historic steel pedestrian bridge over the River Lahn near Wetzlar. Built in 1906, the 50-metre-long bridge no longer met safety requirements and was removed to make way for new infrastructure.

How was the bridge dismantling lift executed?

The LTM 1650-8.1 was configured with 155 tonnes of ballast and operated at a boom radius of 35.8 metres. Although the bridge section weighed 27.5 tonnes, the crane had a reserve lifting capacity of up to 42 tonnes, providing a high safety margin and precise control during the lift.

What makes the LTM 1650-8.1 suitable for diverse applications?

The crane’s modular boom systems, wide range of configurations, and compact footprint allow it to be used for:

• Bridge construction and dismantling

• Harbour and ship loading operations

• Precast concrete installation

• Wind turbine construction, dismantling, and maintenance

• Rail and road infrastructure projects

How does the crane improve operational efficiency?

Its rapid setup, sensitive controls, and high lifting reserves reduce on-site time while increasing safety. Operators benefit from precise handling even at long radii, enabling complex lifts to be executed smoothly and predictably.

What role does Liebherr service play in Hack’s decision?

Hack emphasized complete confidence in Liebherr’s service organization, citing factory inspection, fast delivery, and dependable aftersales support as decisive factors in purchasing the crane.