Two LR 11000 Models Unload Bridge Sections from a Ship in Tandem Lift
- Meagan Wood
- Jul 24, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 12
30 Second Takeaway
WASEL GmbH successfully replaced an aging concrete pipe bridge over Germany’s A42 motorway with a modern steel structure using a highly coordinated, multi-crane operation. Two Liebherr LR 11000 crawler cranes performed precision tandem lifts of 220-tonne bridge segments delivered by ship, while additional Liebherr mobile and crawler cranes supported dismantling, assembly, and transport. Thanks to meticulous planning, SPMT logistics, and the flexibility of Liebherr’s heavy lifting technology, the project was completed two days ahead of schedule, setting a benchmark for complex infrastructure upgrades under tight time constraints.
Fast Project Completion Thanks to Team Effort, Sophisticated Logistics, and Reliable Liebherr Cranes
As part of a complex infrastructure project, WASEL GmbH deployed two LR 11000 crawler cranes from Liebherr for a spectacular mission on the A42 between Bottrop and Essen. An old concrete pipe bridge needed to be replaced with a modern steel construction. This bridge connects refineries in the region with the Bottrop tank farm, crossing both the A42 and the River Emscher.
A total of seven Liebherr cranes were used on this complex project. In addition to the two 1,000-tonne crawler cranes for the bridge lifting operation, a 100-tonne mobile crane, an LTR 1220, an LTM 1230-5.1, an LTM 1250-5.1, and a 450-tonne crane were used for auxiliary and assembly work.
Ship Unloading - Tandem Lift with a 220-Tonne Load
Project manager Viktor Hein from WASEL GmbH divided the project into two sections. In the first section, two new bridge segments were delivered by ship along the Rhine-Herne Canal. Each segment weighed 220 tonnes and measured 71 metres in length, 7 metres in width, and 6 metres in height. The two LR 11000 cranes then lifted the segments in precisely coordinated tandem lifts off the ship and placed them on a prepared pre-assembly area.
The particular challenge with the first segment was to guide it between the two Liebherr LR 11000s with centimetre precision. For the second segment, it was sufficient to set the crawler cranes back around ten metres and place the component directly in front of the crawler cranes with pinpoint accuracy.
For crane operator Florian Lauschke, the biggest challenge lay in unloading from the ship with a wide working radius: “The cranes worked brilliantly - as you would expect from Liebherr.”
The Liebherr LR 11000 models used were built in the SL11DBV setup configuration with 96 and 84-metre boom lengths. They operated with 130 tonnes of central ballast, 250 tonnes of turntable ballast, and 450 or 340 tonnes of derrick ballast.
Break-Up of the Old and Installation of the New in a Narrow Timeframe
In the second section, the existing pipe bridge was dismantled, and the new steel bridge was slotted into place. To do this, one of the two LR 11000 cranes was dismantled at the pre-assembly area, transported around 1,000 metres via the A42, and re-assembled on the motorway with a 72-metre main boom.
During the dismantling of the old pipe bridge, which comprised four concrete sections, steel corsets were used to avoid structural damage during the lifting operations. At the same time, the new bridge segments were transported on SPMT travel gear via the closed-off A42 to the installation site, ready for direct lifting and insertion.
Viktor Hein is full of praise for the crawler cranes from Liebherr: “The two 1000tonners impressed throughout the entire mission with their high lifting capacity, but also with their agility. The operator and assembly-friendly design meant that we were able to relocate one of the two in the shortest possible time from the pre-assembly area to the assembly area via the motorway. The fact that the cranes were able to lift loads of up to 240 tonnes precisely and safely, even without any ballast pallet, significantly accelerated the speed of the project. The project was completed two days earlier than the five days that had been planned.”
The new bridge segments were manufactured by Schone & Bruns GmbH und Co. KG in Meppen and transported by ship via various waterways to the construction site.
Project manager Günther Lohaus highlights the importance of early planning: “The aim was to close off the motorway for as short a time as possible. The close cooperation with WASEL, a detailed logistics and assembly concept, and reliable Liebherr cranes meant that we were actually able to beat the planned time window.”
The successful completion of this project demonstrates the effectiveness of teamwork, advanced planning, and reliable equipment. The use of the Liebherr LR 11000 cranes not only ensured safety but also enhanced efficiency. This project serves as a model for future infrastructure developments.
About WASEL GmbH
WASEL GmbH is one of Germany’s leading providers of engineered heavy lifting, crane operations, and heavy-load logistics, with more than 70 years of experience delivering complex industrial and infrastructure projects. Headquartered in Bergheim, North Rhine-Westphalia, the company operates from ten additional locations across NRW and Berlin, enabling rapid response and nationwide project coverage.
WASEL offers a fully integrated service portfolio that includes project planning, heavy transport, crane deployment, installation, and on-site execution for customers in industries such as petrochemicals, energy, infrastructure, steel construction, and industrial manufacturing. The company is particularly recognized for its ability to manage time-critical and technically demanding lifts in confined or sensitive environments.
With a modern fleet of over 700 units, WASEL operates one of the most comprehensive crane and transport inventories in the region, including mobile cranes, lattice boom cranes, crawler cranes, tower cranes, and heavy-duty transport vehicles. As an official Liebherr factory dealer for tower cranes, WASEL maintains close technical alignment with one of the world’s leading crane manufacturers.
Backed by more than 400 highly trained specialists, WASEL combines advanced engineering, strict safety standards, and innovative logistics concepts to deliver reliable solutions for some of Europe’s most complex lifting and transport challenges.
Learn More:🔗 https://www.wasel-krane.de/
About the Hagedorn Group
The Hagedorn Group is a global, family-owned specialist in demolition, civil engineering, recycling, environmental remediation, heavy logistics, and digital construction services. Founded in 1997 by Thomas Hagedorn and headquartered in Gütersloh, Germany, the group has grown into one of the largest and most successful demolition and infrastructure service providers worldwide.
In the 2024 fiscal year, the Hagedorn Group achieved revenues exceeding €515 million, employing more than 2,000 people across Germany and international markets. Today, the company ranks among the top four demolition contractors globally, with a reputation for handling technically complex, large-scale, and high-risk projects.
Hagedorn’s integrated service model spans the entire project lifecycle, including dismantling, waste management, recycling, land revitalization, civil construction, heavy haulage logistics, and digital project control. This holistic approach allows the group to deliver sustainable, efficient solutions for infrastructure renewal, industrial transformation, and urban redevelopment.
Through continuous investment in technology, equipment, and people, the Hagedorn Group plays a key role in modernizing infrastructure while maintaining strong environmental and safety commitments.
Learn More: 🔗 https://www.hagedorn.de/
About Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH is a global center of excellence for the design and manufacture of mobile and crawler cranes, serving some of the world’s most demanding lifting applications. Located in Ehingen (Donau), Germany, the facility has been a cornerstone of Liebherr’s crane production since 1969 and today employs approximately 5,000 people.
The Ehingen product portfolio ranges from compact 2-axle mobile cranes to heavy-duty mobile cranes with lifting capacities up to 1,200 tonnes, as well as lattice boom crawler and mobile cranes capable of lifting up to 3,000 tonnes. These cranes are widely used in infrastructure, energy, industrial construction, petrochemicals, wind power, and heavy transport projects worldwide.
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen is renowned for its engineering innovation, including advanced control systems, modular boom concepts, transport-optimized designs, and industry-leading safety technologies. A global service and support network ensures high crane availability and long-term performance throughout the equipment lifecycle.
In 2024, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen recorded revenues of approximately €3.19 billion, reinforcing its position as one of the most important crane manufacturing sites in the world.
🔗 Learn More: https://www.liebherr.com/en-us/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-and-crawler-cranes-4407715
About the Liebherr Group
The Liebherr Group is a family-owned global technology company founded in 1949 by Hans Liebherr in Kirchdorf an der Iller, Germany. Today, Liebherr is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction equipment and a leading supplier of advanced technology solutions across multiple industries.
The group operates over 150 companies worldwide, employing more than 50,000 people across all continents. In 2024, Liebherr achieved combined revenues of over €14 billion, driven by its diversified portfolio spanning construction machinery, cranes, mining equipment, aerospace systems, maritime solutions, refrigeration, and industrial components.
Liebherr is known for its long-term commitment to engineering excellence, innovation, sustainability, and customer partnership. Continuous investment in research and development enables the group to deliver reliable, future-ready solutions that support global infrastructure, energy transition, and industrial progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of this bridge replacement project?
The project replaced an aging concrete pipe bridge with a modern steel structure to ensure long-term reliability for pipelines connecting regional refineries to the Bottrop tank farm, while safely crossing the A42 motorway and the River Emscher.
How many cranes were involved in the operation?
A total of seven Liebherr cranes were used, including:
Two Liebherr LR 11000 crawler cranes for the main tandem lifting operations
An LTR 1220 telescopic crawler crane
LTM 1230-5.1 and LTM 1250-5.1 mobile cranes
A 100-tonne mobile crane
A 450-tonne class crane for auxiliary and assembly tasks
This multi-crane strategy allowed parallel work and reduced motorway closure time.
Why were Liebherr LR 11000 crawler cranes selected for the main lifts?
The LR 11000 offers:
Lifting capacities up to 1,000 tonnes
Excellent stability at large radii
Precise control for tandem lifts
The ability to travel short distances under load
These capabilities were essential for lifting and positioning 220-tonne, 71-metre-long steel bridge segments with centimetre-level accuracy.
What made the logistics particularly challenging?
Key challenges included:
Delivering oversized bridge segments by ship
Unloading via tandem crane lifts at wide radii
Transporting segments on SPMTs across a closed motorway
Dismantling and reassembling cranes within a narrow time window
Early planning and synchronized execution were critical to success.
How was the project completed ahead of schedule?
The operator-friendly design of the Liebherr cranes allowed rapid relocation, efficient re-rigging, and safe lifting without ballast pallets in certain phases. This flexibility accelerated operations and reduced downtime, enabling completion two days earlier than planned.
Who manufactured the new steel bridge segments?
The steel bridge components were manufactured by Schone & Bruns GmbH & Co. KG in Meppen, Germany, and transported to site by ship via inland waterways.
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