Ideal Crane Rental Expands with Three Liebherr LTM mobile Cranes

Wisconsin-based Ideal Crane marked the handover of three mobile cranes at Bauma 2019. From left to right, Lori Kalhagen and Bob Kalhagen, owners of Ideal Crane; Daniel Pitzer, head of Liebherr’s mobile and crawler cranes division; Erik Peterson, regional sales manager for Liebherr’s Midwest mobile and crawler cranes division; and Brian Peretin, general manager of sales for Liebherr’s mobile and crawler cranes division.

May 28, 2019 – Ideal Crane Rental is expanding its fleet by adding three Liebherr mobile cranes – an LTM 1450-8.1, an LTM 1160-5.2, and an LTM 1100-5.2. 

When the company takes delivery of the cranes this summer, each will fill a specific need for Ideal, according to President Bob Kalhagen.

“The LTM 1450-8.1 will be our largest crane,” he said. “We really liked what we saw with the Liebherr variable counterweights, variable outrigger base, and other options.”

The LTM 1450-8.1 is a 550-U.S.-ton-class, eight-axle crane with a 279’ telescopic boom. Designed for cost effective mobility, the crane can travel on public roads and quickly be set up for use once it reaches a jobsite.

Ideal’s incoming LTM 1160-5.2 is a replacement for an older crane of the same type. “It has been a great, dependable crane, but we liked a lot of new features on the new 1160-5.2,” Kalhagen said. “Those features include the two position counterweight, a rigging jib, and not needing cheek weights. There were so many things we liked about the new crane, we decided to upgrade.”

The LTM 1160-5.2 has a 203’ telescopic boom. With the VarioBallast system, the crane can deliver high load capacities with a large ballast radius and is also a good choice for use on constricted sites with a small ballast radius.

The incoming LTM 1100-5.2 is a replacement for an existing crane made by a different manufacturer. The LTM 1100-5.2 is one of the most compact cranes in its class. It features active, speed-dependent rear axle steering and the ability to carry up to 25,300 lbs. of counterweight, along with the swing away jib.

Kalhagen founded the company in 1973 with a 15-ton crane. Today, Ideal provides a full range of lifting services and has about 100 cranes, including nearly 20 made by Liebherr.