Mediaco Extracts 150 Tonne TBM Cutterhead for Toulouse Metro Line C
4 days ago
6 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Mediaco Maxilift has used a Liebherr LG 1750 lattice boom mobile crane to extract a 150 tonne tunnel boring machine cutterhead from a 30 metre deep shaft on Lot 3 of the Toulouse Metro Line C project. The crane was assembled with a 42 metre SL boom, a 16 by 16 metre outrigger footprint, 250 tonnes of counterweight and a 2 by 200 tonne hook block arrangement. Restricted space, nearby residential properties and overnight noise limits added to the engineering and logistical demands of the operation.
150 Tonne Cutterhead Lifted From Metro Shaft
French heavy lifting specialist Mediaco Maxilift has completed a demanding underground construction lift on Lot 3 of Toulouse Metro Line C, extracting a 150 tonne tunnel boring machine cutterhead from a shaft in the centre of Toulouse. The component was lifted vertically from a depth of approximately 30 metres, requiring the crane and rigging system to maintain control of the cutterhead throughout its movement from the bottom of the shaft to ground level.
Cutterheads are among the heaviest individual components of a tunnel boring machine. Their large diameter, substantial weight and concentrated lifting points require detailed engineering before removal can begin.
The operation also required close coordination between the crane crew, rigging personnel and teams working around the shaft. Clear communication was particularly important while the load remained below ground and direct visibility was limited.
Liebherr LG 1750 Selected for the Operation
Mediaco deployed a Liebherr LG 1750 lattice boom mobile crane for the lift. The crane was assembled in an SPSL configuration with a 42 metre SL boom. The selected arrangement provided a stated lifting capacity of 163 tonnes, excluding the weight of the hook block and rigging equipment.
The complete crane configuration incorporated:
A 42 metre SL lattice boom
A 16 by 16 metre outrigger footprint
250 tonnes of counterweight with extension
A 2 by 200 tonne hook block arrangement
A configured lifting capacity of 163 tonnes
A working depth of approximately 30 metres
The LG 1750 has a maximum rated capacity of 750 tonnes and combines the lifting characteristics of a lattice boom crane with the road mobility of a wheeled carrier. This makes it suitable for major infrastructure, industrial and energy projects where substantial lifting capacity must be transported between sites.
Capacity Planning Extended Beyond the Cutterhead
The difference between the crane’s stated 163 tonne capacity in the selected configuration and the cutterhead’s 150 tonne weight should not be interpreted as a simple 13 tonne lifting reserve.
Crane capacity must account for the entire suspended load, including the hook block, lifting beams, slings, shackles and other rigging equipment. Each component must be included in the lift calculation before the available capacity and operating margin can be confirmed.
The configuration therefore required detailed planning to ensure the cutterhead, hook block and below the hook equipment remained within the crane’s permitted load chart.
Engineers also had to consider the operating radius, boom geometry, ground conditions, outrigger reactions and the changing position of the load as it moved through the shaft opening.
Restricted Urban Site Adds Complexity
The lift took place in a densely developed residential area between the Canal du Midi and a Toulouse fire station. Available space for crane assembly, counterweight installation, delivery vehicles and lifting operations was limited. Establishing the LG 1750’s 16 metre by 16 metre outrigger footprint within the site required careful logistical planning.
The position of the shaft determined where the crane could be established, while surrounding buildings, roads and other infrastructure restricted alternative lifting positions.
Ground preparation was another critical consideration. A crane carrying 250 tonnes of counterweight, in addition to its own structural weight and the suspended load, can generate substantial forces through its outriggers. The supporting surface must therefore be assessed and prepared to distribute those loads safely.
Noise Restrictions Influence the Work Programme
The site’s location within a residential area introduced strict limits on working hours. No noisy operations were permitted between 22:00 and 06:00. These restrictions affected the scheduling of crane assembly, rigging preparation and lifting activities. The project team had to ensure that noise sensitive work was completed within the permitted operating window while maintaining sufficient time for safety checks and controlled execution.
Urban heavy lifting operations frequently require planning beyond crane capacity alone. Traffic management, equipment deliveries, lighting, noise, public access and coordination with nearby emergency services can all influence the final lifting method.
Controlled Extraction From 30 Metres Below Ground
Lifting a large component from a deep shaft presents different challenges from a conventional surface lift. The cutterhead first had to be connected to the lifting arrangement at the bottom of the shaft. Rigging lengths and connection points needed to keep the component stable while allowing it to pass safely through the available opening.
During the initial stages, the load remained largely out of the crane operator’s direct line of sight. Movement therefore depended on communication between personnel at shaft level, the lift supervisor and the crane operator.
Once the cutterhead reached the surface, the crane could move it clear of the shaft and into the designated landing position. Maintaining an even and controlled lift was essential to prevent the component from contacting the shaft structure or surrounding equipment.
A Milestone for Toulouse Metro Line C
The cutterhead extraction formed part of the continuing underground works for Toulouse Metro Line C, one of the largest transport infrastructure programmes underway in the Toulouse metropolitan area. The new line will extend for approximately 27 kilometres and include 21 stations, connecting Colomiers, Blagnac, Toulouse and Labège.
Around 80 percent of the route is being constructed underground, with the remainder incorporating elevated sections and four aerial stations. Line C is intended to serve major employment and residential areas across the metropolitan region.
Passenger services are currently planned to begin in 2028. Tisséo expects the new route to support approximately 200,000 low emission journeys each day when it opens.
The removal of major tunnel boring machine components represents an important stage in underground construction, allowing equipment to be recovered, serviced, relocated or demobilised as individual tunnelling sections progress.
About Mediaco
Mediaco Group is a French crane rental, heavy lifting, transport and industrial services company. Established in 1942, the group has developed a national network of branches serving customers in construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, petrochemical and industrial maintenance.
Its services cover mobile crane rental, engineered heavy lifting, industrial handling, machinery installation, specialised transport and project logistics. The fleet includes mobile telescopic cranes, lattice boom cranes, crawler cranes, self erecting mobile tower cranes and specialist lifting equipment. Through operations such as
Mediaco Maxilift, the group undertakes complex projects involving heavy or oversized components.
Company website: www.mediaco-groupe.com
About Liebherr
Liebherr is a family owned international equipment manufacturer established in 1949 by Hans Liebherr. The company produces construction machinery, mining equipment, maritime cranes, aerospace systems, components, refrigeration equipment and machine tools.
Its mobile and crawler crane division manufactures all terrain cranes, rough terrain cranes, lattice boom mobile cranes and crawler cranes for construction, infrastructure, wind energy and industrial lifting applications.
The LG 1750 combines a lattice boom crane upper structure with a multi axle mobile carrier, providing high lifting capacities alongside the ability to travel between projects without a crawler undercarriage.
Company website: www.liebherr.com
About Toulouse Metro Line C
Toulouse Metro Line C is being delivered as part of the region’s wider public transport development programme. The approximately 27 kilometre line will connect the western and southeastern parts of the metropolitan area, including Colomiers and Labège, through central Toulouse. It will also provide connections with existing metro, tram and rail services.
The project includes underground tunnels, stations, viaducts, maintenance infrastructure and associated transport interchanges.
Project website: www.tisseo-collectivites.fr
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mediaco lift in Toulouse?
Mediaco extracted a 150 tonne tunnel boring machine cutterhead from a shaft on Lot 3 of Toulouse Metro Line C.
How deep was the shaft?
The cutterhead was lifted from approximately 30 metres below ground level.
Which crane completed the lift?
The operation was carried out with a Liebherr LG 1750 lattice boom mobile crane.
How was the LG 1750 configured?
The crane was assembled in SPSL configuration with a 42 metre SL boom, a 16 by 16 metre outrigger footprint, 250 tonnes of counterweight with extension and a 2 by 200 tonne hook block arrangement.
What capacity did the crane provide?
The selected configuration provided a stated lifting capacity of 163 tonnes, excluding the hook block and rigging.
Why was the operation technically demanding?
The combination of a 150 tonne load, a 30 metre deep shaft, restricted assembly space, nearby buildings and overnight noise limits required detailed engineering and logistical planning.
Where is Toulouse Metro Line C being constructed?
The line runs through the Toulouse metropolitan area in southern France, connecting Colomiers, Blagnac, Toulouse and Labège.
When is Toulouse Metro Line C expected to open?
Passenger services are currently scheduled to begin in 2028.
