Grupo Modesto Leads Dominican Crane Market with New Liebherr LTM 1150-5.3 and LTM 1230-5.1 Mobile Cranes
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 25, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 28, 2025
30-Second Summary
Grupo Modesto, S.A. has become one of the first crane hire companies in the Dominican Republic to invest in factory-new Liebherr mobile cranes, adding the LTM 1150-5.3 and LTM 1230-5.1 to its fleet. Designed for demanding industrial construction and port work in Santo Domingo, the cranes deliver advanced lifting technology, compact setup flexibility, and proven performance, highlighting a strategic shift toward modern, high-capacity equipment backed by Liebherr’s global service network.
Grupo Modesto, S.A., a prominent heavy haulage and construction company in the Dominican Republic, has recently expanded its fleet by acquiring two new Liebherr mobile cranes: the LTM 1150-5.3 and LTM 1230-5.1. These cranes will primarily support industrial construction projects in the metropolitan area of Santo Domingo. The decision to invest in these new mobile cranes was driven by their strong performance, extended telescopic booms, and innovative technical features.
As a trailblazer in the industry, Grupo Modesto, S.A. stands out as one of the first crane hire companies in the Dominican Republic to invest in new Liebherr mobile cranes, a notable shift from the traditional practice of purchasing used equipment.
"In recent years, our nation has witnessed significant economic growth. Currently, there is a high demand for cranes with a load capacity ranging from 150 to 230 tonnes. The LTM 1150-5.3 and LTM 1230-5.1 are exceptionally versatile, making them ideal for larger projects," states José Roberto Modesto, Vice-President of Grupo Modesto.
The Dominican company has equipped the mobile cranes with an array of advanced features.
"The inclusion of a second winch was a pivotal factor in our decision, enabling the cranes to operate in dual-hook mode. Additionally, the variable VarioBase® support base and VarioBallast® technology were essential considerations, allowing us to work safely and efficiently in confined construction spaces. Our positive experiences with Liebherr and their exceptional customer-focused service were crucial in our choice," Modesto elaborates.
Proven in action, the inaugural task for the two new cranes took place at the port of Santo Domingo, where they were employed to dismantle an old harbour crane. The operation required careful management of lift heights, with safety being paramount. The LTM 1150-5.3, ballasted with 29 tonnes, successfully lifted a work basket carrying two crew members responsible for detaching components from the old harbour crane. Subsequently, the LTM 1230-5.1 lowered these components for transport off-site. Notably, the heaviest piece, weighing 6 tonnes, was lifted to a height of 75 metres, with the 230-tonne crane set up with 42 tonnes of ballast. The entire dismantling operation was executed over a span of eight days.
About Grupo Modesto, S.A.
Founded in 1975, Grupo Modesto, S.A. is the oldest and first dedicated crane rental company in the Dominican Republic, playing a foundational role in the country’s heavy lifting and construction sector for nearly five decades. Headquartered in Santo Domingo, the company has evolved from a pioneering local contractor into a trusted national provider of crane rental, heavy haulage, prefabrication, and industrial construction services.
Today, Grupo Modesto operates a diverse fleet of approximately 20 cranes, ranging from 5 tonnes to 350 tonnes, supporting projects across ports, industrial plants, commercial construction, infrastructure development, and heavy assembly. The company employs around 50 skilled professionals, including certified crane operators, riggers, mechanics, and project supervisors.
In addition to crane rental, Grupo Modesto maintains specialized divisions for heavy transport, prefabricated construction elements, and industrial services, allowing the company to deliver integrated lifting and logistics solutions. Its decision to invest in factory-new Liebherr mobile cranes marks a significant milestone, not only for the company, but for the Dominican crane rental market, signaling a shift toward modern, high-performance equipment, enhanced safety standards, and long-term operational efficiency.
Grupo Modesto is widely recognized for its commitment to safety, technical excellence, and customer-focused service, positioning it as a benchmark operator in the Caribbean lifting market.
Website 🔗 https://gmodesto.com/
About Liebherr Mobile & Crawler Cranes
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH is a global leader in the design and manufacture of mobile and crawler cranes, supplying lifting solutions for some of the world’s most demanding construction, infrastructure, port, and industrial projects. The company’s mobile crane portfolio spans from compact 2-axle 35-tonne models to heavy-duty 9-axle cranes with lifting capacities exceeding 1,200 tonnes, while Liebherr crawler cranes reach capacities of up to 3,000 tonnes.
Liebherr cranes are renowned for their engineering precision, reliability, and advanced safety systems, including innovations such as VarioBase® for variable outrigger positioning, VarioBallast® for adjustable counterweight radius, LICCON control systems, and highly efficient telescopic boom designs. These technologies enable cranes to operate safely in confined spaces while maximizing lifting performance.
Backed by a global service and support network, Liebherr ensures high crane availability, long service life, and strong residual values for customers worldwide. The Liebherr Group, founded in 1949, remains family-owned and continues to invest heavily in innovation, digitalization, and sustainable lifting technologies.
Learn More🔗 https://www.liebherr.com/en-us/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-and-crawler-cranes-4407715
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Grupo Modesto’s investment in new cranes significant for the Dominican Republic?
Historically, many crane operators in the region relied on used equipment. Grupo Modesto’s decision to purchase factory-new Liebherr cranes represents a shift toward higher safety standards, improved reliability, and long-term fleet sustainability, setting a new benchmark for the local crane rental market.
Why were the Liebherr LTM 1150-5.3 and LTM 1230-5.1 selected?
These models cover the critical 150–230 tonne lifting range, which is increasingly in demand due to industrial growth, port expansion, and infrastructure development in the Dominican Republic. Their long telescopic booms, compact setup footprints, and versatile configurations make them ideal for urban and industrial environments.
What role do VarioBase® and VarioBallast® play in daily operations?
VarioBase® allows each outrigger to be positioned independently, enabling safe crane setup even when space is restricted. VarioBallast® permits the counterweight radius to be adjusted, reducing the crane’s footprint while maintaining lifting performance—both essential for congested ports and construction sites.
What advantages does dual-hook (second winch) operation provide?
Dual-hook operation allows operators to control loads more precisely, rotate components during lifting, and improve efficiency when handling complex assemblies. This capability is particularly valuable in dismantling operations, industrial installations, and port-related lifts.
How did the cranes perform on their first job?
The LTM 1150-5.3 and LTM 1230-5.1 were deployed at the Port of Santo Domingo to dismantle an old harbor crane. Over eight days, they safely lifted components up to 6 tonnes at heights of 75 metres, including man-basket operations, demonstrating both performance and operational safety.
What types of projects will these cranes support going forward?
The cranes will be used for industrial construction, port and harbor operations, crane dismantling, heavy lifting, infrastructure projects, and complex urban jobs, where both lifting power and compact setup are required.
How does Liebherr’s service network benefit Grupo Modesto?
Liebherr provides factory-backed inspections, technical support, spare parts availability, and regional assistance via Liebherr Mexico, ensuring high uptime, fast response times, and long-term operational confidence.
How does this investment position Grupo Modesto for future growth?
By modernizing its fleet with advanced Liebherr technology, Grupo Modesto is positioning itself to handle larger, more complex projects, meet stricter safety expectations, and compete for high-value industrial and infrastructure contracts both domestically and regionally.
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