Delivering generations of excellence
For more than 130 years, family-owned Landwehr Construction has provided heavy haul and construction services across the greater Midwest. In partnership with Liebherr’s earthmoving machines, Landwehr offers safe and reliable demolition solutions tailored to meet the needs of their customers. As infrastructure continues to age, the need for safe and efficient removal becomes increasingly important. Companies like Landwehr Construction, Inc. specialize in delivering tailored services that address the unique challenges of each project. To tackle increasingly challenging demolition projects, Landwehr expanded its fleet with two Liebherr machines, including the Liebherr R 950 high reach crawler excavator and the Liebherr R 938 straight boom crawler excavator. These machines were deployed and utilized to demolish Farmward Cooperative’s grain elevator and three adjacent bins in Sacred Heart, MN.
The project began with the removal of the scale house to allow the salvage of two newer bins, followed by the demolition of three steel grain bins measuring up to 60 ft (18 m) in diameter and 60 ft (18 m) tall. Using their new Liebherr R 950 high reach crawler excavator, the bins and the 95 ft (29 m) tall elevator were taken down in a matter of hours. This process would have taken days without the Liebherr machine, as Landwehr would have needed to use a crane and boom lifts to physically cut and lower each bin down. Once on the ground, the Liebherr R 938 crawler excavator then sorted scrap steel and demolition materials that were hauled for recycling and removed broken up concrete foundations that were sent for crushing and reuse as base material.
We are really impressed with the Liebherr demolition equipment. We find that the hydraulics on these machines are fast yet smooth, which allows us to do our job more efficiently. Also, the capacity and stability of these machines are amazing.
Not only was this Landwehr’s second demo project of this scale, but it was their first time using the Liebherr R 950 high reach excavator. The R 950 was the ideal choice for the job due to the site's tight constraints. Positioned just feet from an active railroad and only 35 ft (11 m) from the main line, the machine offered the flexibility and precision needed to navigate the complex job site. Its performance enabled the team to maintain tight coordination and control throughout the project.
“We are really impressed with the Liebherr demolition equipment. We find that the hydraulics on these machines are fast yet smooth, which allows us to do our job more efficiently. Also, the capacity and stability of these machines are amazing,” noted Aaron Wendlandt, estimator/project manager, demolition at Landwehr Construction, Inc.
Generational success
Founded in 1895, Landwehr Construction remains a fifth-generation, family-run company recognized as a trusted turn-key site contractor. With multiple locations throughout the Midwest and an expansive fleet, the company continues to deliver the same commitment to service that inspired its founding 130 years ago. Landwehr specializes in sitework and utilities, heavy highway, crane and rigging, machinery moving, demolition, environmental remediation, wetland specialty and renewable energy including wind, solar and civil construction.
To acquire their top-of-the-line Liebherr equipment, Landwehr also partnered with American State Equipment, their local earthmoving and material handling technology dealer. As Liebherr’s longest standing US dealer for over 50 years and a multi-generational family business, American State Equipment delivers a full range of machinery and the same trusted, high-quality service throughout the Midwest.
Engineered to do more
On top of ease of use, low cost and high availability, the Landwehr team noted that they purchased these machines due to the capacity, removable counterweights, ease of changing the digging front, and high reach.
With over 60 years of experience designing and producing hydraulic crawler excavators, Liebherr is a leading manufacturer of equipment for special applications, including demolition, tunnels construction, material handling, and many other custom solutions. Each Liebherr crawler excavator is designed with one goal: to meet the demands and specifications of our customers in terms of performance, reliability and efficiency, as well as safety and comfort.
Liebherr’s extensive range of crawler excavators, earthmoving equipment, and material handling machines can be found in use throughout the United States—thanks to Liebherr USA’s large distribution network that ensures nationwide availability.
