Liebherr HC-L Luffing Jib Crane Makes Slovak Debut on Skypark Tower in Bratislava

Meagan Wood
Jun 5, 2025
6 min read

Updated: Dec 27, 2025

30-Second Takeaway

The Skypark Tower in Bratislava marks a major milestone for Slovakia’s construction sector as the country’s first Liebherr HC-L luffing jib crane is deployed on a high-rise project. Working alongside two additional Liebherr EC-B tower cranes, the HC-L will climb to a record hook height of 145 meters, supporting construction of the final and tallest tower in the landmark Skypark development. The project highlights Liebherr’s advanced tower crane technology and its growing role in shaping Europe’s modern urban skylines.

Liebherr cranes at work constructing the final Skypark tower in Bratislava — Liebherr-190hcl-Bratislava Skypark Kranimex

An exceptional construction project in the Slovakian capital Bratislava has opted for Liebherr’s innovative crane technology. Three Liebherr cranes are at work on the Skypark Tower, the last of five iconic towers designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. A special highlight: one of these cranes is the first HC-L to ever be assembled in Slovakia.

An Liebherr HC-L luffing jib crane is being used for the first time in Slovakia, where it will climb to an impressive height of 145 metres. A total of three Liebherr cranes have a key part to play in the construction of the Skypark Tower in Bratislava, the last of five high-rise buildings set to characterise the skyline of the Slovakian capital.

Skypark Bratislava: Three Liebherr cranes in action

Construction started in mid-2024 and involves the use of three powerful Liebherr cranes. The Liebherr 190 HC-L with a 55-metre jib was delivered brand new from the Tower Crane Center (TCC) in Bad Waldsee, where Liebherr has its own tower crane rental fleet. The crane started out with an initial tower height of 60 metres and will climb to a final height of 145 metres. In addition, a Liebherr 150 EC-B 8 Litronic with a 45-metre jib has climbed from an initial 66 metres to 145 metres. A Liebherr 110 EC-B 6 with a 32.5-metre jib will reach a hook height of 57.7 metres. These cranes are part of the fleet belonging to Skanska Slovakia. Tower sections 24 HC 630 and 21 HC 290, adapters sections and climbing equipment are provided by the Slovakian Liebherr dealer Kranimex. The Bratislava-based company sells new and used Liebherr cranes as well as spare parts and also offers a rental service.

While the Liebherr 190 HC-L and the Liebherr 150 EC-B were assembled back in 2024, the Liebherr 110 EC-B has been on site since early 2025. The Liebherr cranes have a key role to play in the Skypark Towers construction and are ensuring a smooth building process thanks to their high performance and modular adaptability.

The final tower: office and living space with spectacular views

Measuring in at 120 metres and with 30 floors, the Skypark Tower will be the tallest building in the Skypark complex. Covering a total area of around 55,000 square metres, the tower offers modern office space with the highest sustainability standards and has been designed specifically with international companies in mind. The tower will fit seamlessly into the Bratislava skyline with its innovative design and is set to become a striking landmark for the city. The Skypark Tower is part of an extensive urban development project that will create new residential and commercial space as well as generous green areas and public spaces.

About Kranimex

Kranimex is the authorized Liebherr tower crane dealer for Slovakia, delivering comprehensive lifting solutions for the country’s most demanding construction projects. Headquartered in Bratislava, the company supports contractors with a full range of services including sales of new and used Liebherr cranes, crane rental, spare parts supply, tower sections, climbing systems, and technical support.

Kranimex plays a critical role in high-rise and infrastructure projects by providing:

Complete tower crane logistics and configuration support
Climbing and height-extension solutions for tall structures
Local after-sales service and maintenance
Rapid spare parts availability to minimize downtime

On the Skypark Tower project, Kranimex supplied key crane components including HC tower sections, adapters, and climbing equipment, enabling Liebherr cranes to reach hook heights of up to 145 meters. By combining local market knowledge with Liebherr’s global engineering standards, Kranimex ensures reliable crane performance under tight schedules

and complex site conditions.

🔗 Kranimex:https://www.kranimex.sk/

About Skanska Slovakia

Skanska Slovakia is a subsidiary of Skanska Group, one of the world’s leading construction and project development companies, with a strong focus on sustainability, safety, and innovation. Active in Slovakia for decades, Skanska Slovakia delivers major projects across commercial, residential, infrastructure, and mixed-use developments, particularly in complex

urban environments.

The company is known for executing technically challenging projects that demand:

Advanced construction planning
High-rise building expertise
Strict safety and quality standards
Sustainable construction practices aligned with international certifications

As the crane fleet owner on the Skypark Tower project, Skanska Slovakia operates the Liebherr tower cranes on site, integrating them into its construction methodology to ensure efficient vertical logistics, precise material handling, and consistent progress at extreme heights. Skanska’s experience with large-scale developments and modern crane technology plays a key role in delivering the final and tallest building of the Skypark complex on schedule.

Skanska Group operates globally across Europe and North America and is consistently recognized as a leader in green construction, digitalization, and responsible urban development.

🔗 Skanska Slovakia:https://www.skanska.sk/

🔗 Skanska Group:https://group.skanska.com/

About Liebherr Tower Cranes

The Liebherr Tower Cranes Division is one of the world’s most respected manufacturers of tower crane technology, with more than 70 years of experience delivering lifting solutions for urban construction, infrastructure, and landmark high-rise developments.

Liebherr’s tower crane portfolio includes luffing jib cranes (HC-L series), top-slewing cranes (EC-B series), fast-erecting cranes, special-purpose cranes, and mobile construction cranes, allowing contractors to select precisely matched equipment for site constraints, height requirements, and load demands.

Liebherr HC-L luffing jib cranes are specifically engineered for dense city environments, offering variable jib angles, compact slewing radii, reduced oversailing, and high hook heights—making them ideal for skyscrapers, mixed-use towers, and inner-city developments like Skypark Tower. Advanced control systems, energy-efficient drive technology, and modular tower concepts further enhance productivity, safety, and sustainability.

Beyond crane manufacturing, Liebherr provides end-to-end support through:

Tower Crane Solutions (engineering and project planning)
Tower Crane Center (TCC) rental fleet
A global service and spare parts network

This integrated approach enables Liebherr to support complex construction projects worldwide from planning and installation to operation and dismantling.

🔗 Liebherr Tower Cranes:https://www.liebherr.com/en-int/products/construction-machines/tower-cranes/tower-cranes.html

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was a Liebherr HC-L luffing jib crane selected for the Skypark Tower project?

The Liebherr 190 HC-L was selected due to its luffing jib design, which allows the jib angle to be adjusted rather than relying solely on slewing. This significantly reduces oversailing risk and makes it ideal for high-rise construction in dense urban environments like Bratislava’s city centre. The crane provides high load capacities at extreme hook heights, while maintaining a compact footprint at ground level.

What makes the HC-L series particularly suited for high-rise urban construction?

Liebherr’s HC-L luffing jib cranes are designed for restricted-space projects where safety, precision, and airspace control are critical. Key advantages include:

Steep jib angles for working close to façades
Reduced slewing radius to avoid adjacent buildings
High load curves at long radii
Excellent climbing capability for tall structures

These features allow cranes to operate efficiently at heights exceeding 140 metres, even on congested sites.

How many Liebherr cranes are operating on the Skypark Tower site and what are their roles?

Three Liebherr cranes are supporting the project:

190 HC-L (55 m jib) – primary high-rise lifting and vertical logistics
150 EC-B 8 Litronic (45 m jib) – structural and material handling at upper levels
110 EC-B 6 (32.5 m jib) – lower-level support and auxiliary lifting

Together, they provide full site coverage from foundation works through superstructure construction.

How do crane climbing operations contribute to project efficiency?

All three cranes are climbing with the building, allowing them to maintain optimal lifting geometry as the structure rises. This eliminates the need for dismantling and re-erection, reduces downtime, and ensures consistent lifting performance throughout construction. Climbing also minimizes the crane’s footprint, preserving valuable space on the constrained site.

Why is this project considered a milestone for Slovakia’s construction sector?

The Skypark Tower is the first construction project in Slovakia to use a Liebherr HC-L luffing jib crane, setting a new benchmark for high-rise construction technology in the country. It reflects a shift toward international best practices in crane selection for complex urban developments.

What role does Kranimex play in the project?

Kranimex, Liebherr’s authorized dealer in Slovakia, supplied tower sections, climbing equipment, adapters, and technical support for the project. The company also provides crane sales, rentals, spare parts, and service, ensuring smooth crane operations throughout the build.

How does crane selection support the architectural design of the Skypark Tower?

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Skypark Tower features complex geometries and tight construction tolerances. The precise load control, flexible reach, and high hook heights of the Liebherr cranes allow contractors to execute architectural details accurately while maintaining safety and efficiency.