Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 dismantles canal bridge in Lauffen am Neckar
30 Second Takeaway
MSG Krandienst used its 700-tonne Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 to dismantle a 75-year-old arch bridge in Lauffen am Neckar, Germany. The crane worked from a confined position above the riverbank, with two water-side outriggers supported on steel cylinders connected to concrete foundations about four metres lower than the crane setup area. Fitted with a 35-metre luffing jib and 175 tonnes of counterweight, it first installed a temporary footbridge and then removed the old bridge in sections. The heaviest piece was the arch apex, weighing almost 44 tonnes and lifted at a reach of more than 36 metres.
Crane set up above the riverbank
The single-lane bridge, built in 1951, crossed a 40-metre-wide canal between Lauffen’s old town and a small island. Its load-bearing capacity no longer met structural requirements, so it had to be dismantled and replaced.
Limited space along the riverbank made crane positioning difficult. MSG placed the LTM 1650-8.1 above the bank, with the two water-side outriggers extending beyond the crane’s installation plane. They were supported by steel cylinders connected to concrete foundations at a level around four metres lower. An auxiliary cylinder beneath the rear of the crane also helped support the rear outriggers on the sloping road during assembly.
Temporary crossing installed before demolition
Before dismantling the bridge, the crane lifted a temporary footbridge across the canal. It also transferred construction machinery to the island, setting the equipment down across a reach of 50 metres.
The old bridge was then dismantled in stages. Crews removed the deck and bridge superstructure section by section before cutting the supporting concrete arch into five segments. A pontoon with scaffolding piers supported the arch during the work. Its height could be adjusted by pumping water into or out of its chambers.
VarioBallast adapted to changing lifts
The LTM 1650-8.1 worked with a 35-metre luffing jib and 175 tonnes of counterweight. The heaviest single section was the arch apex, weighing almost 44 tonnes, lifted at a reach exceeding 36 metres.
The crane handled different loads and reaches from 26 to 50 metres. Liebherr’s VarioBallast system allowed the counterweight radius to be adjusted to suit changing lifting conditions during the demolition.
MSG project planner Christian Spreuer said the crane’s compact design and lifting capacity suited the restricted setup area. The company’s planning team developed a support arrangement that placed the outriggers on foundations lower than the crane’s working level.
About MSG Krandienst
MSG Krandienst is a crane hire and project logistics company headquartered in Kehl, Germany, with additional locations in Freiburg and Strasbourg through its French subsidiary, MSG Levage. Its fleet includes mobile cranes for lifting work across a range of capacities, including heavy cranes for large projects. MSG and MSG Levage employ a combined workforce of around 175 people.
View website: https://www.msg-kran.de/
About Liebherr
Liebherr develops and manufactures mobile and crawler cranes, including all-terrain cranes such as the eight-axle LTM 1650-8.1. The model has a maximum lifting capacity of 700 tonnes and can be equipped with different boom and jib configurations for varied lifting requirements. Liebherr’s crane business also includes telescopic crawler cranes, lattice-boom crawler cranes and mobile construction cranes.
View website: https://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What bridge did MSG Krandienst dismantle?
MSG Krandienst dismantled a single-lane arch bridge built in 1951 in Lauffen am Neckar, Germany. It crossed a canal between the old town and a small island.
Which crane was used for the demolition?
MSG used a Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 with a 35-metre luffing jib and 175 tonnes of counterweight.
How was the crane supported on the restricted site?
The two water-side outriggers extended beyond the installation plane and were supported by steel cylinders connected to concrete foundations around four metres lower. An auxiliary cylinder beneath the rear of the crane helped with the sloping-road setup.
What was the heaviest section removed?
The arch apex weighed almost 44 tonnes and was lifted at a reach of more than 36 metres.
What role did the pontoon play?
The pontoon, fitted with scaffolding piers, supported the concrete arch during demolition. Its height could be adjusted by flooding or draining its chambers.
