Lifting the standard: Liebherr MK cranes make their mark in the U.S.
After a highly anticipated move to the United States market in May of 2024, Liebherr’s innovative series of mobile construction cranes (MK) has already made a lasting impact on projects across the country thanks, in part, to the full technical and training support from Liebherr USA, Co.
The Liebherr mobile construction (MK) cranes are a line of innovative mobile construction cranes with a unique design that combines mobile crane agility with tower crane height and reach. Designed for tight spaces and urban environments, MK cranes offer powerful lifting, fast setup, one-person operation, and outstanding maneuverability.
Rooted in Liebherr’s legacy of engineering excellence, the MK series reflects over 50 years of innovation in lifting technology – starting in 1961 with fast-erecting cranes of the former KA series mounted on a truck chassis for the very first time. These cranes are hybrid-powered, capable of operating silently and emission-free when connected to a site power supply — making them ideal for sustainable, low-impact construction in densely populated areas.
With models including the MK 73-3.1E, MK 88-4.1E, MK 120-5.1E and MK 140-5.1E, this series offers a range of lifting capacities and reach, all while maintaining a compact footprint. These cranes embody Liebherr’s vision of future-ready construction, where efficiency, environmental responsibility, and cutting-edge technology converge to meet the evolving demands of modern infrastructure.
“There are many projects where a traditional mobile crane isn’t possible,” notes Brian Peretin, general manager sales, Liebherr USA, Co., mobile and crawler cranes. “Liebherr MK cranes have proven to be extremely effective in high-rise construction, where their vertical reach and compact footprint are invaluable.”
MK series mobile construction cranes can also seamlessly move from site to site, enhancing workflow between projects due to their rapid deployment and taxi crane concept. When dismantled, they offer outstanding mobility, allowing them to be relocated with ease and fully erected and operational in just a few steps.
The versatility of this crane concept makes it perfect for a wide range of applications commonly found on job sites in the United States. Projects like bridge and roof building, solar panel installation and prefabricated house construction are made easier due to the crane’s ability to be positioned directly alongside buildings and roads. And for projects requiring a larger reach, such as roof refurbishment or refineries and plant turnarounds, this diverse MK product range can accommodate customer specific site requirements.
“We’re excited to see Liebherr has made MK cranes a reality for United States customers,” notes Peretin. “Once you understand what these cranes are capable of, it’s easy to see why it has been such a successful machine in the market thus far.”
Creating success through service
Fulfilling the needs of local customers doesn’t stop once the machine is delivered. When customers purchase an MK crane, they not only receive a state-of-the-art crane, but also a trusted service partner for the life of the machine.
Liebherr provides a 24/7 service hotline for their mobile and crawler crane product segment, allowing customers to call anytime, anywhere and receive technical assistance for their machine. In past years, this hotline has helped over 85 % of calls troubleshoot and solve issues completely over the phone, without requiring a technician to be dispatched. In addition to the hotline, Liebherr has a dedicated team of technicians that specialize in MK crane service to provide on-site support when customers need it most.
Meet Jason Van Tussenbroek, MK technical advisor for Liebherr USA, Co. Van Tussenbroek plays an important role for our customers, traveling to active sites all over the United States and providing prompt and efficient troubleshooting, repair and maintenance to our MK cranes. In addition to working on active machines on site, he also acts as an instructor for Liebherr’s training courses to assist customer technicians in servicing their cranes. As someone who has worked with Liebherr since the MK was brought to the US, Van Tussenbroek understands the value of in-house training for a unique machine like the MK.
“Getting more staff exposure to these amazing machines is always great,” remarks Van Tussenbroek. “Since this crane is still relatively new to the United States, getting technicians familiar with the MK is worthwhile for customers in the long run.”
Liebherr recently held their first on-site training for current MK customers and technicians. Held in Liebherr’s training center in Houston, Texas, this training course provides technicians with hands-on experience with Liebherr MK cranes, equipping them with the foundational knowledge they need for their next job site. Attendees receive instruction on basic troubleshooting for the MK product line’s control system AC500, a step-by-step guide for erection and dismantling the crane at all three hook heights and basic service positions for the crane.
