First Liebherr MK 120-5.1E installs emergency roofs in Bern

30-Second Takeaway

The first Liebherr MK 120-5.1E mobile construction crane has completed its debut project in the narrow streets of Bern’s historic old town, installing large emergency roof structures entirely in electric mode. Operated by Zaugg AG Rohrbach, the crane combined long reach, high lifting capacity, and low-noise, emission-free operation demonstrating how fully electric mobile cranes are enabling complex construction work in sensitive urban environments.

The new Liebherr MK 120-5.1E mobile construction crane from Zaugg AG Rohrbach had its first job above the rooftops of Bern's old town.

Swiss company Zaugg AG Rohrbach put the first Liebherr MK 120-5.1E into operation this summer. The brand new mobile construction crane made its debut in the narrow streets of Bern's old town. At a height of around 20 metres and with a reach of up to 45 metres, the crane positioned temporary roofs over two construction sites. This impressive feat was accomplished entirely powered by electricity.

The mobile construction crane had to place large roof structures at distances of up to 45 metres.

The new Liebherr MK 120-5.1E mobile construction crane is ready to go! No sooner had it been delivered than Zaugg's new 5-axle crane was already in the centre of Bern. It was prepared for a tailor-made job in the narrow streets of the old town. Large elements had to be installed over the roofs of the historic city centre to build emergency roofs.

"We are using our MK 120-5.1E here for the first time today. The crane is ideal for this work and provides us with the required performance parameters," explained Stefan Stettler, head of the crane department at Zaugg AG Rohrbach. "We have to lift the parts, which weigh up to 2.5 tonnes, over the houses and place some of them at a maximum distance of 45 metres."

Luxurious and superbly equipped. This was the comment from Adrian Sommer, who used his new machine for the first time in Bern. The infinitely height-adjustable cab really does offer the crane operator a great deal of comfort as standard: automatic air conditioning, a cool box, a USB charging socket and a modern touch display. And a small 'balcony' at the rear of the cabin to catch a breath of fresh air to boot.

Quiet Instead of Engine Noise

The Zaugg team arrived in Bern city centre early in the morning with the crane vehicle for the job. "The all-wheel steering allows us to manoeuvre easily in the narrow alleyways," says Stettler. In reverse gear, the crane worked its way along the historic Rathausgasse to its construction site, past the arcades typical of the old town.

The crane, equipped with a 400 kW diesel engine, can also rely on site power or adequate mobile 63 Ampere power sources for its lifting work. A mobile Liduro Power Port LPO 100 was available on the construction site in Bern for this purpose. When the battery trailer manufactured by Liebherr is fully charged, the stored energy is sufficient for two days of crane work.

Quiet instead of engine noise in Bern's old town. At least as far as the crane work was concerned. "The low-noise and emission-free crane work is naturally pleasant for residents, tourists, and passers-by," explained Stettler. "Especially as we only extended the crane support on the side facing away from the construction site by 50 percent, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to pass through at all times."

Only when the scaffolders were assembling the metal temporary roofs on the street and preparing them for the lift did it get loud for a moment. The roof structures, which were up to 20 metres long, were then lifted over the roofs and chimneys and placed above the construction sites. Some of the roofs even had to be lifted over the entire development to the next street. No problem for the MK 120-5.1E. It can still lift loads weighing 2.1 tonnes at the tip of its 52-metre boom.

This application in Bern also posed no problem for the Liebherr Liduro battery storage system. After the work was completed in the late afternoon, well over half of the stored energy was still available in the mobile battery. The MK 120-5.1E can be operated with site power but can also function in power mode without an external power source. As an option, a permanently installed energy storage unit can be integrated into the vehicle for this purpose. This enables autonomous operation for up to two days in handling mode. This makes it the only crane of its kind that is fully electric and therefore environmentally friendly and cost-efficient.

Auxiliary Crane for Laying Out the Load Distribution Plates

By late afternoon, all four elements for the two emergency roofs had been precisely installed. The subsequent dismantling of the crane was just as quick as the erection in the morning. The optional small auxiliary crane, which is attached to the lower end of the telescopic tower and can be operated by the crane operator by remote control, was of great benefit during the set-up work.

"The auxiliary crane for laying out the load distribution plates is of course absolutely brilliant. This means that the work is done in just a few minutes," says Christian Geissmannwho works at Zaugg as project manager for crane logistics and as a member of the management team.

The four Liebherr mobile construction cranes from Zaugg - in addition to the new model, there is also an MK 140-5.1E and two MK 88-4.1Es in the fleet - have become indispensable for the company, which specializes in the construction of large, self-supporting halls, among other things.

"We always have enough work for our mobile construction cranes," says Geissmann. "In addition to typical MK work such as here in Bern city centre, the machines are mainly used on our internal construction sites for wood or steel assembly."

About Zaugg AG Rohrbach

Zaugg AG Rohrbach is a Switzerland-based construction and logistics specialist delivering integrated solutions across timber construction, steel construction, carpentry, tinsmithing, heavy haulage, and crane logistics. Founded in 1936, the company has grown steadily and today employs approximately 150 people.

Zaugg is known for executing complex construction projects from planning through to completion, including work in confined urban environments and technically demanding sites. Its fleet of Liebherr mobile construction cranes, including the MK 120-5.1E, MK 140-5.1E, and MK 88-4.1E models, plays a key role in supporting precision lifting and assembly operations.

Through its subsidiary Zaugg Timber Solutions, the company has also expanded internationally and has been active in the North American market since 2022.

Learn More: https://www.zaugg-rohrbach.ch/

About Liebherr Mobile & Cranes Ehingen

Liebherr Werk Ehingen GmbH (LWE) is the Liebherr Group’s global center of excellence for the development and manufacture of mobile and crawler cranes, including the MK mobile construction crane series. Based in Ehingen an der Donau, Germany, the facility has been producing crane technology since 1969 and is regarded as one of the world’s leading crane manufacturing sites.

The Liebherr MK series combines the mobility of all-terrain cranes with the vertical reach and precision of tower cranes, making them ideal for urban construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects. Electric drive systems, advanced control technology, and integrated energy storage enable low-noise, emission-free operation particularly important for work in city centres and environmentally sensitive areas.

Crane control is managed via Liebherr’s LICCON system, which provides real-time monitoring of load data, operating conditions, and safety parameters. Through continuous innovation in electrification, digital systems, and operator ergonomics, Liebherr continues to set benchmarks for modern, sustainable crane technology.

Learn More: https://www.liebherr.com/en-us/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-and-crawler-cranes-4407715

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first project for the Liebherr MK 120-5.1E?

The crane’s first job involved installing temporary emergency roof structures over two construction sites in Bern’s historic city centre.

Why was electric operation important for this project?

The work took place in a pedestrian zone within a historic old town, where low noise and zero local emissions were essential to minimize disruption to residents, tourists, and businesses.

How heavy were the roof structures being installed?

The emergency roof elements weighed up to 2.5 tonnes and were lifted at radii of up to 45 metres.

What makes the MK 120-5.1E suitable for narrow urban environments?

Its all-wheel steering, compact footprint, high lifting capacity, and electric operating modes allow it to maneuver and work efficiently in confined city streets.

Can the MK 120-5.1E operate without an external power source?

Yes. The crane can operate using site power, mobile power sources, or its integrated energy storage system, enabling autonomous electric operation for up to two days.

What additional features improved efficiency on this project?

The optional auxiliary crane allowed quick placement of load distribution plates, significantly reducing setup and dismantling time.