Southern Cranes Expands Mobile Tower Fleet with Liebherr MK 140-5.1
- Meagan Wood
- Jan 17, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 20
30 Second Takeaway
Southern Cranes has strengthened its mobile tower crane offering with the delivery of a Liebherr MK 140-5.1 at the end of 2024. The crane introduces new branding across the fleet and replaces the earlier MK 140 model. A second MK 140-5.1 is scheduled to arrive in early 2025, reinforcing the company’s commitment to high-performance urban lifting solutions.
Fleet Expansion Continues into 2025
UK-based Southern Cranes received its first Liebherr MK 140-5.1 mobile tower crane at the conclusion of 2024, with fleet expansion set to continue following the confirmed delivery of a second unit in early 2025.
The MK 140-5.1 represents the first mobile tower cranes to appear in Southern Cranes’ new corporate branding, replacing the long-serving MK 140 units previously operated by the company.
Next-Generation Mobile Tower Performance
More Capability from a Single Crane
The new five-axle Liebherr MK 140-5.1 offers lifting capacities of up to 8,000 kg and introduces Liebherr’s Trolley-Plus mode, which increases payload capacity by nearly 50% when operating with the jib positioned at 15° or 45°.
Compared to the MK 140, the upgraded model provides improved radius, hook height and operational flexibility, allowing contractors to complete a wider range of lifts with fewer crane changes.
First Unit: Fixed Jib Configuration
Optimised for High-Performance Urban Work
Southern’s first MK 140-5.1 is equipped with a 58.5-metre jib, offering mounting curves at 15°, 30° and 45°.
Key performance highlights include:
Trolley-Plus at 15°: 1,700 kg at 57 m radius, with a maximum capacity of 2,500 kg
Trolley-Plus at 45°: 1,700 kg at 41.5 m radius, with a maximum capacity of 2,650 kg
This configuration provides strong performance for mid- to high-rise construction projects where space and access are restricted.
Second Unit: VarioJib Configuration
Maximum Flexibility for Dense Urban Sites
The second MK 140-5.1 on order will feature Liebherr’s VarioJib concept, enabling flexible operation in both trolley and luffing modes.
With the jib raised to 70°, the crane achieves:
Maximum hook height: 94.4 metres
Maximum radius: 65 metres
Capacity: 1,000 kg
In Trolley-Plus mode, performance mirrors the first unit, delivering:
1,700 kg at 56.5 m radius (15°)
1,700 kg at 41.5 m radius (45°)
This makes the crane particularly well-suited to densely populated urban environments where vertical reach and minimal footprint are critical.
Operator Training and Familiarisation
Preparing the Team for New Technology
Southern Cranes’ operators completed in-house familiarisation training at Liebherr Great Britain’s headquarters using the first delivered crane.
The programme provided detailed instruction on the MK 140-5.1’s systems and new technologies, ensuring operators are fully prepared to deploy the crane efficiently across a wide range of projects.
Company Perspective
Kelvin Prince, Director of Southern Cranes, said:
“We have always been strong advocates of Liebherr’s MK range, having introduced the UK’s very first MK100, MK88 and MK140. The decision to replace our two older machines was straightforward; they look remarkable in our new livery and will seamlessly integrate into our fleet profile. We extend our gratitude to our partners at Liebherr Great Britain for their invaluable support, and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years.”
About Southern Cranes
Founded in 1997, Southern Cranes is a family-run crane hire specialist based in Horsham, West Sussex. The company operates a diverse fleet including all-terrain cranes, mobile tower cranes, city-type cranes and spider cranes, serving construction and infrastructure projects across London and the South East.
Website: https://www.southerncranes.co.uk
About Liebherr
The Liebherr Group is a global manufacturer of construction machinery and material handling equipment, recognised worldwide for its innovation in mobile cranes and tower cranes. Liebherr’s MK mobile tower crane range combines the mobility of all-terrain cranes with the vertical reach of tower cranes, making them ideal for urban construction environments.
Website: https://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the MK 140-5.1 different from the MK 140?
The MK 140-5.1 offers higher lifting capacities, improved hook heights and the advanced Trolley-Plus mode, delivering greater performance and flexibility.
What is Trolley-Plus mode?
Trolley-Plus increases payload capacity by up to 50% when the jib is positioned at 15° or 45°.
Why did Southern Cranes choose two different configurations?
The fixed jib and VarioJib configurations allow Southern Cranes to cover a wider range of urban lifting applications.
Where will these cranes mainly operate?
They will primarily support projects across London and the South East.
When will the second MK 140-5.1 arrive?
The second crane is scheduled for delivery in early 2025.
