09.10.2025

MK 88-4 for contractor

German contractor Arthur Bannasch Transporte has taken deliery of a second Liebherr MK 88-4.1E mobile self erecting tower crane and used it to install noise barriers on the Rhine Valley railway line between Karlsruhe in Germany and Basel in Switzerland alongside a live railway.

The four axle MK 88-4.1 has a maximum capacity of eight tonnes, and can handle 2.2 tonnes at its maximum radius of 45 metres with an under hook height of 30.2 metres. The crane can also operate with the jib luffed at 15, 30 or 45 degrees above horizontal for a maximum under hook height of 59.1 metres with a capacity of 1,850kg. Features include single person set up and operation with remote controls.

The crane was able to install 30 barriers weighing 900kg at a radius of 43 metres without obstructing traffic or requiring a road closure, the heaviest components, steel wall frames, weighed 2.8 tonnes installed at a radius of 36 metres.

Crane operator Steffen Held operated the MK 88-4.1E with the remote controller from the newly constructed track bed during the installation.

Held said: "I had to use my crane to install around 30 elements, each weighing 900kg for the new noise barrier. Firstly, I can guide the load very precisely from here when threading it into the racks and secondly, we were able to work very quickly because I could lend a hand when unhooking the load."

"With my crane control system, I can programme the crane so that the trolley and slewing gear are limited in such a way that the load does not cross the tracks with active train traffic. That is of course a major safety aspect."

Arthur Bannasch Transporte managing director Armin Bannasch added: "We always have enough work for our two MK88-4.1s. The cranes are mostly used for green roofs, the construction of prefabricated houses, steel erection and, increasingly, for the installation of air conditioning units."

In addition to the two MKs, Arthur Bannasch runs a couple of All Terrains, loader cranes and a transport fleet from its base in Wyhl am Kaiserstuhl, Southern Germany.