Marcus Riedelsheimer Autokran Dienste has added a new Liebherr mobile crane LTM 1055-3.3 to its fleet. The 3-axle unit replaces an older model of the predecessor type LTM 1055-3.2 and is primarily intended for the assembly of lighter precast concrete elements as well as for use as a taxi crane in daily operations. According to the company, the decision for the new model was made primarily due to the modernized crane control LICCON3, the variable support base VarioBase Plus with wider rear supports, and lower axle loads, which facilitate widespread permanent driving permits.

"We needed a crane in exactly this class. The LTM 1055-3.3 is a compact and maneuverable device. It offers the modern crane control LICCON3 and the variable support base VarioBase Plus with wider rear supports, which offers significantly higher load capacities in these work areas," explains company owner Marcus Riedelsheimer. "Numerous axle load variants give us the opportunity to more easily obtain widespread permits. This puts us in a good position if regulations become stricter in our region as well."

Lightest 3-axle all-terrain crane on the market

According to the manufacturer, the LTM 1055-3.3 positions itself as the lightest 3-axle all-terrain crane on the market. Thanks to lightweight construction, operating states with less than 9 tons per axle load and – depending on configuration – less than 26 tons total weight are possible. At the same time, the device offers high load capacities with its long telescopic boom, particularly at medium and large outreaches. This combination addresses a central problem in urban and regional crane operations: many municipalities are tightening weight restrictions, and permanent driving permits for heavier crane classes are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.

The variable support base VarioBase Plus is a decisive technological advantage. It allows the crane operator to adapt the support width to site conditions while still achieving higher load capacities than would be possible with conventional systems with fixed support bases. Especially on congested construction sites or asymmetrical setup areas, the user gains flexibility – without having to sacrifice tipping load and safety reserves.

LICCON3 control as fleet standard

Another factor in the investment decision was the unified control technology. Riedelsheimer relies exclusively on Liebherr equipment, and LICCON3 crane control is now the fleet standard. Marcus Riedelsheimer emphasizes: "Our entire fleet consists of Liebherr equipment. Since the operation and control are very uniform, our drivers can flexibly be deployed on different equipment. The proximity to the Ehingen Liebherr plant naturally also plays a decisive role. Malfunctions or downtime can be remedied quickly by the nearby customer service."

Standardization on a control architecture reduces training times, reduces operating errors, and facilitates deployment planning. Especially for medium-sized crane service providers with multiple pieces of equipment, driver interoperability across machine classes is often an underestimated competitive advantage.

Application spectrum: precast concrete elements, prefabricated houses, taxi crane

The new LTM 1055-3.3 rounds out Riedelsheimer's mobile crane fleet at the lower end and is primarily intended for the assembly of lighter precast concrete elements. In addition to the mobile crane service, the company operates its own precast concrete works and offers a wide range of construction activities including turnkey construction. The crane is also used for prefabricated house assembly and as a taxi crane for daily operations. This multiple use is typical for regional crane service providers that handle both project-related assembly work and ad-hoc orders.

Taxi crane operation requires special mobility and quick availability – this is exactly where the low axle load pays off. While heavier cranes often have to wait for permits or take detours, the LTM 1055-3.3 can be moved in many regions without additional requirements. This shortens response times and increases utilization.

Company group with 65 employees – from one-man operation to general contractor

Marcus Riedelsheimer started with a small construction equipment rental business in 1995. Today, he manages a company group with approximately 65 employees. The focus areas are a wide range of construction activities including turnkey construction, a precast concrete works, and the mobile crane service. This vertical integration – from the precast works through crane logistics to final assembly – is a strategic differentiator compared to pure crane rental companies. Riedelsheimer can leverage internal synergies, such as by dispatching cranes directly from production to the construction site without empty runs or external service providers.

Market relevance: permitting pressure and lightweight construction trend

The acquisition of the LTM 1055-3.3 is symptomatic of a broader market development. More and more municipalities are tightening weight restrictions on roads and bridges, driven by aging infrastructure and safety concerns. At the same time, demand is increasing for flexible, quickly deployable cranes that can be moved without lengthy permitting procedures. Lightweight mobile cranes like the LTM 1055-3.3 benefit from this trend – they allow crane service providers to continue operating across the board even with stricter regulations.

For Liebherr, the development of the 3-axle segment is a strategic field. While large tonnage classes (100+ tons) are primarily demanded by specialist crane companies in industrial assembly and energy construction, compact 3-axle units like the LTM 1055-3.3 are the workhorse in regional building construction, precast construction, and maintenance work. Here, manufacturers such as Liebherr compete with Tadano, Grove, and Terex for market share. The combination of low weight, modern control, and variable support technology is intended to position the LTM 1055-3.3 in the competition.

Outlook: further tightening of weight regulations expected

Marcus Riedelsheimer also bases his investment decision on the prospect of future regulatory tightening: "This puts us in a good position if regulations become stricter in our region as well." This anticipation is commercially prudent. In several German states, there is discussion about stricter weight limits in road transport, and infrastructure maintenance will remain a permanent political issue in the years to come. Crane service providers who invest in lighter equipment classes today are securing themselves room for maneuver tomorrow.

The proximity to the Liebherr plant in Ehingen is also a strategic advantage that Riedelsheimer explicitly mentions. Short distances to customer service reduce downtime and enable quick repairs – a critical factor in a business that depends on high machine availability. In regional crane operations, an unplanned outage over several days can result in significant revenue losses and contractual penalties.

Whether other crane service providers will follow Riedelsheimer's example and replace older 3-axle units with lighter, technologically more modern models will become apparent in the coming months. The market for compact mobile cranes remains in motion – driven by regulatory pressure, technological innovation, and the desire for maximum deployment flexibility. For an in-depth analysis of urban mobile crane strategies, it is worth taking a closer look at the specific requirements of regional crane logistics.

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