Press releases | 06/07/2023

Ulferts & Wittrock adds Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane to its fleet

The LTM 1650-8.1 is the most powerful telescopic crane in the group
The performance and flexibility of the Liebherr 700-tonne crane were key decision-making criterion for Ulferts & Wittrock
HVO enables Liebherr cranes to be operated on a largely climate-neutral basis

Ulferts & Wittrock has taken delivery of a new Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane. The 700-tonne crane replaces an LTM 1500-8.1 in the fleet and is now the most powerful telescopic crane in the entire group. With its high performance, versatile boom systems, VarioBallast® and VarioBase^®, the LTM 1650-8.1 can be used flexibly for a wide range of work.

Ulferts & Wittrock strengthens the performance of its telescopic crane fleet with a Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1. Marcus Wittrock, one of the group’s Managing Partners, explains: “The LTM 1500-8.1 has served us faithfully for eight years. But now it was time for a replacement. The LTM 1650-8.1 enables us to move into an even higher lifting capacity range, which will allow us to open up new areas of work.”

Depending on the equipment, with or without boom guying system, the lifting capacity increases compared to the 500-tonner are between 15 and 50 percent. The standard VarioBase^® variable supporting base not only improves safety, but also adds performance, especially in the area above the outriggers.

Liebherr VarioBallast^® innovation enables the LTM 1650-8.1 to meet the challenge of delivering high performance with a large ballast radius whilst also being able to operate using the smallest possible ballast radius on constricted construction sites: A simple hydraulic slewing mechanism changes the ballast radius of the LTM 1650-8.1 infinitely variable between 6.3 and 8.4 metres.

“The LTM 1650-8.1 is a very universal crane. That means we can use it very flexibly in everyday business, for example in industry, bridge construction, assembly of heavy precast concrete parts and loading heavy transformers but also for lifting wind power components,” says Wittrock.

Liebherr engine in the LTM 1650-8.1 approved for CO₂-neutral HVO

Modern HVO is a synthetic fuel manufactured chiefly from vegetable and animal oil and fat waste materials from the food industry. This is converted into hydrocarbons by adding hydrogen. The abbreviation HVO stands for hydrogenated vegetable oils. The major benefit of HVO is that using it as a fuel instead of fossil diesel is essentially CO₂-neutral.

Liebherr's entire range of mobile and crawler cranes has been tested, certified and approved for use with HVO - including the engines of its most powerful cranes. For around two years, Liebherr in Ehingen has been using HVO fuel for crane acceptance procedures and test drives as well as for the initial fuelling of the cranes before delivery. Wittrock adds: “Climate protection and the reduction of emissions are another focal point in our group. We use HVO when available at all our nationwide sites.”