Krandienst Schulz Deploys Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 for Tower Crane Dismantling at Power Plant Project
- Meagan Wood
- Feb 13, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 1
30-Second Takeaway
Krandienst Schulz is using its new Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 to dismantle tall tower cranes during power plant construction, leveraging the crane’s 85-metre telescopic boom, fast setup times, and compact footprint. Based out of its newly opened headquarters in Braak, near Hamburg, the company is strengthening its position as a leading specialist for construction crane assembly and dismantling in dense urban and industrial environments.
Built for Construction Crane Assembly
Tower crane dismantling is one of the most demanding tasks in mobile crane operations, requiring height, precision, speed, and minimal setup space. Krandienst Schulz has positioned itself squarely in this niche by deploying its Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1, a crane specifically engineered for high vertical reach and rapid mobilization.
The 8-axle mobile crane features an 85-metre telescopic boom, allowing the company to assemble and dismantle tower cranes up to 80 metres tall without the need for additional jib systems. This capability significantly reduces setup time, transport complexity, and site disruption key advantages when working at active power plants or within congested urban areas.
Most recently, the LTM 1450-8.1 was used to dismantle a 70-metre-tall tower crane at a new waste-to-energy power plant, demonstrating its effectiveness in industrial construction environments where precision and speed are critical.
Fast Setup, High Performance
According to Markus Solms, Technical Field Sales at Krandienst Schulz, the crane has already proven itself as a highly efficient solution for construction crane work.
“Our new LTM 1450-8.1 is truly a fast-erecting crane,” Solms explained. “With the 85-metre on-board telescopic boom, we can significantly reduce setup and deployment times. In many cases, we’re ready for the next crane dismantling within about three hours.”
Despite its compact configuration, the LTM 1450-8.1 delivers impressive lifting performance. In certain applications, it approaches the capacities of the larger LTM 1500-8.1, making it a versatile option for both tower crane assembly and heavy lift support tasks.
Designed for Tight Jobsites
Urban and industrial jobsites often come with limited space, restricted access, and minimal room for ballast or outrigger extension. The VarioBallast® and VarioBase® systems on the
LTM 1450-8.1 give Krandienst Schulz a major operational advantage in these conditions.
VarioBallast® allows the ballast radius to be reduced to as little as five metres, enabling safe lifting even in extremely confined spaces.
VarioBase® provides variable outrigger positioning, allowing the crane to operate safely with asymmetric setups while maintaining strong load capacities.
These features are particularly valuable in central Hamburg, where Krandienst Schulz frequently works around active roadways, industrial plants, and dense construction corridors.
A New Headquarters Built for Growth
To support its expanding fleet and operational scope, Krandienst Schulz recently relocated to a new, purpose-built headquarters in Braak, Schleswig-Holstein, northeast of Hamburg.
The 17,000-square-metre facility includes:
A 900-square-metre high-spec workshop
A 16-tonne gantry crane for dismantling telescopic booms
An integrated brake testing and TÜV inspection station
On-site fueling and washing stations
Partially covered crane parking areas
Managing Director Günter Sichward describes the workshop as a major step forward for the company’s self-sufficiency and fleet availability.
“This workshop gives us everything we need to maintain our fleet efficiently,” Sichward said. “We can handle major maintenance tasks in-house and keep our cranes ready for deployment at all times.”
A Fleet Standardized on Liebherr
Krandienst Schulz operates an entirely Liebherr-based crane fleet, a strategic decision driven by resale value, service support, and operational consistency.
“One major advantage is that our technicians only need training on one manufacturer,” Sichward explained. “Our operators can move seamlessly between cranes, and spare parts availability from Ehingen is extremely fast often arriving the next day.”
The company currently operates approximately 30 Liebherr mobile and mobile construction cranes, with additional locations in Bönningstedt and Stade supporting rapid response throughout the Hamburg region.
In April, Krandienst Schulz will take delivery of its fifth Liebherr MK-series mobile construction crane, the MK 88 Plus, continuing a long history with the MK platform that began more than 16 years ago.
About Krandienst Schulz
Krandienst Schulz GmbH is a Hamburg-based crane services provider specializing in tower crane assembly and dismantling, mobile crane operations, and complex lifting projects in urban and industrial environments.
Founded in 1998, the company employs approximately 80 professionals and operates a modern fleet of around 30 mobile and mobile construction cranes, supported by 16 heavy-duty transport vehicles and tractor units. Krandienst Schulz serves customers across northern Germany from its new headquarters in Braak, Schleswig-Holstein, as well as additional locations in Bönningstedt and Stade.
The company is known for its strong focus on construction crane work, particularly in dense metropolitan areas like Hamburg, where limited space, traffic constraints, and strict scheduling demand fast setup times and precise planning. Krandienst Schulz operates an exclusively Liebherr crane fleet, emphasizing fleet standardization, high resale value, and
rapid service support.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.krandienst-schulz.de
About Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mobile and crawler cranes. Based in Ehingen (Donau), Germany, the facility develops and produces mobile cranes ranging from 35-tonne two-axle models to heavy-duty cranes with lifting capacities of up to 1,200 tonnes, as well as lattice boom cranes on mobile or crawler travel gear with capacities reaching 3,000 tonnes.
The Ehingen site employs approximately 5,000 people and plays a central role in Liebherr’s global crane business. An extensive worldwide service network supports high crane availability across construction, infrastructure, energy, industrial, and heavy-lift applications. In 2023, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen achieved a turnover of €2.81 billion.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.liebherr.com/en/int/products/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-and-crawler-cranes.html
About the Liebherr Group
The Liebherr Group is a family-owned technology company founded in 1949 by Hans Liebherr in Kirchdorf an der Iller, Germany. Today, Liebherr operates across 13 product segments, including construction machinery, mining equipment, aerospace systems, maritime cranes, and automation technology.
With more than 150 companies worldwide and over 50,000 employees, Liebherr is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction equipment. In 2023, the Group recorded total revenues of over €14 billion. Liebherr places strong emphasis on engineering excellence, sustainability, digital innovation, and long-term customer partnerships.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the LTM 1450-8.1 well suited for tower crane dismantling?
Its 85-metre telescopic boom allows dismantling of tall tower cranes without additional jib systems, reducing setup time and site complexity.
How quickly can the crane be mobilized?
In many applications, Krandienst Schulz reports setup and readiness for lifting in approximately three hours.
What types of projects benefit most from this crane?
Power plants, urban construction sites, industrial facilities, and locations with restricted space or access.
What makes the crane effective in tight spaces?
The VarioBallast® and VarioBase® systems allow flexible ballast radius and asymmetric outrigger setups.
Where is Krandienst Schulz based?
The company’s headquarters is located in Braak, near Hamburg, with additional sites in Bönningstedt and Stade.
