Allied Crane Hire, a mobile crane specialist headquartered in South Africa and operating across sub-Saharan Africa, has taken delivery of the first Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane on the African continent.
This milestone marks yet another “first” for the company, which previously introduced several new Liebherr mobile and crawler crane models to the region, including the LTM 1110-5.1, LTM 1150-5.3, and LTM 1230-5.1.
According to André Engelbrecht, General Manager Africa at Allied Crane Hire, the decision was driven by both market demand and performance. “We have owned the LTM 1500-8.1 since 2012, but demand has grown for higher-capacity cranes. The LTM 1650-8.1, with a 700-tonne lifting capacity, was the natural next step,” he explains.
The LTM 1650-8.1 offers up to 50% more power than its predecessor and features Liebherr’s advanced technologies such as VarioBallast, VarioBase, and the NK System, enhancing versatility and safety in confined spaces.
Since its September arrival, the crane has already been deployed in mining operations, exceeding expectations in performance and ease of assembly.
Allied Crane Hire’s latest acquisition further strengthens its 25-year partnership with Liebherr. “Reliable aftersales support is crucial to our operations, and Liebherr consistently delivers,” says Engelbrecht.
Erik Benz, General Manager Mobile and Crawler Cranes at Liebherr-Africa, adds: “Our relationship with Allied Crane Hire is built on trust and innovation. We’re proud to share this latest milestone together.”
