6 minutes - magazine 02 | 2024
Helpers, rescuers and bridge builders
The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) is the German governmentʼs voluntary emergency organisation and an indispensable part of the countryʼs civil protection system. Around 88,000 dedicated volunteers throughout Germany form the heart of the THW and play a major role in its success.
Twelve new mobile cranes for the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief
With its expertise, state-of-the-art technology and extensive experience, the THW is ready to provide rapid and effective assistance in crisis situations worldwide on behalf of the German government. The THW saves lives, minimises damage and restores infrastructure. Reliable vehicles and technical equipment are indispensable for fulfilling its diverse range of assignments.
Vehicle expert: Andreas Schneider is responsible for vehicle procurement at the THW.
The THW has ordered twelve LTC 1050-3.1 mobile cranes from Liebherr, mainly for the construction of temporary bridges. They will be delivered to its specialist bridge construction groups throughout Germany in the course of this year. THW President Sabine Lackner explains: “The cranes are an indispensable tool for the specialist groups. They enable the THW emergency services to lift the heavy bridge elements and assemble them into structures that can reach spans of over 80 metres. Over three dozen temporary bridges that the THW has built in the past three years alone show how important these vehicles are.”
Andreas Schneider is responsible for vehicle procurement at the THW: “After 25 years of using our mobile cranes, it was necessary to replace them with new machines. Liebherr was awarded the contract for the LTC 1050-3.1 in the tender. We wanted a compact, manoeuvrable mobile crane with high performance. The Liebherr 50-tonner meets all our requirements. The new cranes are also planned for a service life of 25 years.” The LTC 1050-3.1 is the heaviest and most expensive emergency response vehicle that the THW has procured in large numbers to date.
Ready for collection: The THW has procured a total of twelve LTC 1050-3.1 for its specialist bridge construction teams throughout Germany.
Bridge construction is among the THWʼs core competencies. The construction of temporary bridges is of crucial importance, especially after natural disasters, as they are an important part of the infrastructure. The THW has demonstrated its skills in temporary bridge construction at numerous locations both nationally and internationally. The THWʼs emergency response teams erected 30 temporary bridges in the Ahr valley following the “Bernd” floods in summer 2021. Last summer, they installed several bridges in Slovenia. In addition to bridge construction, the THW uses its mobile cranes for general handling and lifting work, and also when responding to road accidents involving heavy vehicles.
First job: The compact mobile crane travelled directly from the Liebherr manufacturing plant in Ehingen to the site in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler.
Practical applications providing real-world training
Following intensive training at the Liebherr manufacturing plant in Ehingen, some of the THWʼs specialist groups have already gained some initial experience with the new cranes. The municipality of Halbergmoos in Upper Bavaria, for example, asked the THW to build a temporary bridge because the existing bridge there is dilapidated and needs to be replaced. “We were happy to fulfil this request, as we are always on the lookout for training opportunities,” explains Florian Wigger, Group Leader Bridge Construction THW Freising. “In this case, we found a realistic training scenario for the two new LTC 1050-3.1s that are available in Bavaria – in the Fürth and Freising specialist units.”
Satisfied: Group leader Florian Wigger is full of praise for the new Liebherr cranes.
The bridge was pre-assembled on an assembly track consisting of multiple elements connected with pins. The two cranes then lifted the bridge into place in tandem – one on the left bank and the other on the right bank. “We were able to practise procedures that we also need to master for larger temporary bridges. How is a bridge pre-assembled, how is it lifted into place, what dangers need to be taken into account and how can we implement this effectively later in a real emergency? Pre-assembly of the ten-tonne bridge took two hours, the lift itself only ten minutes,” explains Wigger.
The team leader and his team are completely satisfied with the new cranes: “Weʼve been using the LTC 1050-3.1 for around two months now and are absolutely delighted with it. Itʼs a compact crane that can lift a lot over short distances. At the same time, itʼs light enough to reach different locations. The LTC has all its ballast and equipment on board so we donʼt have long set-up times on site and can start work immediately. Highlights include the telescopic crane cabin, which allows the crane driver to look down on the construction site from above. This improved visibility increases safety for the response teams.”
Flood of the century: The LTC 1050-3.1 from the THW Witten local organisation assists with the dismantling of a temporary bridge in the Ahr valley.
Bridge dismantling in the Ahr valley
In July 2021, the flood of the century left a trail of devastation in the Ahr valley. Dozens of bridges were destroyed and temporary bridges had to be built to support the restoration of the local infrastructure. Some of these structures are no longer needed and are therefore being dismantled. Once again, a new LTC 1050-3.1 from the THW was used during the dismantling of the bridge. It belongs to the Witten branch and travelled directly from the Liebherr plant to the site in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler.
Benjamin Albrecht is the leader of the specialist bridge construction group at the Witten local organisation: “We received a one-week training course at the Liebherr plant and familiarised ourselves with this new crane. We were able to test all the functions and our contacts there supported us with help and advice. We were then able to put what we had learnt into practice on our way back to Witten via a detour to the Ahr valley. We are supporting the Bad Kreuznach specialist bridge construction group here.”
This article was published in the UpLoad magazine 02 | 2024.
