Established in large crane class: Sommer takes delivery of Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane

"We feel comfortable in the large crane class and demand in the market is good," explains Björn Sommer, who runs the family business together with his cousin Hagen. He continues: "With the LTM 1650-8.1, we're boosting our fleet in the upper load capacity segment on the one hand, and on the other hand we're extending our LTM 1750-9.1 downwards, because with one less axle, the LTM 1650-8.1 is more compact and manoeuvrable."

Fully equipped for a wide range of applications

Sommer is planning the LTM 1650-8.1 for contracts in industry and infrastructure projects as well as for the construction and dismantling of wind turbines. Sommer has purchased both boom variants, the 54 and the 80 metre telescopic boom, for this range of different applications. Björn Sommer declares: "This offers us more flexibility and has tremendous advantages. The wind power configuration with the six metre long lattice type fixed jib typically allows us to significantly reduce the time needed to move the crane in wind farms. It's much easier to install than a luffing jib."

"We also opted for the LTM 1650-8.1 – as this allows us to interchange ballast plates and lattice sections with those of our LTM 1750-9.1. That comes with logistics benefits too", states Hagen Sommer.

Proven prowess in its very first job

The LTM 1650-8.1 proved its worth on its very first job, dismantling six old wind turbines in Schleswig-Holstein. Björn Sommer declares: "We were able to use the T5 configuration – the 80-metre telescopic boom – right from the start. This has huge advantages, because with the LTM 1500-8.1 we would have had to build a luffing jib or at least a lattice type fixed jib. We also managed with just 75 tonnes of ballast. This reduces set-up and conversion times. Our staff are delighted with the simplicity of the LTM 1650-8.1. The new crane means that projects can take a lot less time – thus freeing up capacity or further orders."

Family business with decades of tradition

Hagen and Björn are the third generation of managing partners to run the Sommer family business, which was founded in 1959. The company focuses on crane hire with 25 mobile cranes from 40 to 800 tonnes lifting capacity in Bremen and the surrounding area. Large cranes are used throughout Germany. Sommer Kranverleih GmbH regularly modernises its fleet. In January, the company took delivery of two new Liebherr LTC 1050-3.1 compact cranes, one with a rope jib and the other with a TELEMATIK fast-erecting system. A crane package from Liebherr has been ordered for 2024 to rejuvenate the cranes in the 4- and 5-axle class.