The first LTM 1230-5.1 mobile crane goes to Switzerland – Christen takes delivery of new Liebherr 230-tonne machine

Members of the third generation of the founder family travelled in mid-March from Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland to the upper Danube to take delivery of the first LTM 1230-5.1 from Liebherr. Angela Hess-Christen, Chair of Christen Holding AG, said: “After the LTM 1230-5.1 had been unveiled at the Customer Days in 2018 in Ehingen, we immediately decided to place an order for this innovative crane. We have lots of construction crane erection work to do and its 75 telescopic boom makes it ideal for that. New technologies such as VarioBallast® and VarioBase® were also major factors in our decision as were the fuel savings produced by ECOdrive and ECOmode. Liebherr is a good, fair partner. Furthermore, Liebherr cranes deliver excellent quality and a high resale value.”

Adrian Christen, Chair of Christen Logistik AG, continued: “After our last purchases of an LTM 1090-4.2 and LTM 1130-5.1, the LTM 1230-5.1 was the next logical step. It will replace a 6-year old LTM 1200-5.1. Normally we only replace our cranes after around 10 years, but in this case the increased performance of the new technologies made up our minds.” The LTM 1230-5.1 is the successor to the LTM 1200-5.1. Not only does the new 230-tonne crane have a three metre longer telescopic boom, but also delivers an average of 20 percent more lifting capacity. Apart from a folding jib, a fixed jib up to 43 metres in length can be attached to the crane. This enables the LTM 1230-5.1 to achieve a hook height of 111 metres.

Crane operator delighted

Christian Betschart has been a crane operator at Christen for 10 years and used to drive the Liebherr LTM 1200-5.1 mobile crane. He is looking forward to his new vehicle and said: “Despite the technical progress, all Liebherr mobile cranes are identical to operate. That is extremely good for us operators. And I appreciate the greater safety of the new machine.” In addition to erecting tower cranes, the new crane will also be used in industrial plants and for construction work using prefabricated concrete components and timber joists. Angela Hess-Christen commented: “In the past we have even hoisted aircraft into museums, and as a result of the fact that we are close to several lakes, we often hoist small boats out of the water or into the lake. These will also be tasks for the new LTM 1230-5.1.”

Christen was founded as a construction company in 1952. It quickly forged a business relationship with Liebherr, which was only three years older, initially with its earthmoving machinery and tower crane divisions. Christen then purchased its own mobile cranes starting in 1976. Today, Christen has nine mobile cranes with lifting capacities of up to 400 tonnes. Since 2013 it has been part of Christen Logistik AG, which operates independently under its parent company Christen Holding AG. Its other independent business segments are Christen Gartenbau AG (gardening) and real estate company Christen Immo AG.