[Job Story] In Germany FAIR Particle Accelerator Construction Proceeds with Support from Liebherr Cranes

Liebherr cranes are currently used by Riga Mainz, a company specialised in lifting and transport work, for the major construction of the International FAIR research facility in the north of Darmstadt. At the core of the facility is the construction of a particle accelerator, where Liebherr machines are handling critical heavy-lift operations in extremely confined […] [Job Story] In Germany FAIR Particle Accelerator Construction Proceeds with Support from Liebherr Cranes published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.

Sep 29, 2025 - 07:25

[Job Story] In Germany FAIR Particle Accelerator Construction Proceeds with Support from Liebherr Cranes

Liebherr cranes are currently used by Riga Mainz, a company specialised in lifting and transport work, for the major construction of the International FAIR research facility in the north of Darmstadt. At the core of the facility is the construction of a particle accelerator, where Liebherr machines are handling critical heavy-lift operations in extremely confined spaces.

FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) is one of the largest research projects worldwide, where scientists from all over the world will study the origins of the Universe and the fundamental structure of matter. The construction work began in 2017. At the moment, large media bridges (pipeline bridges) are being constructed around the building, creating challenges due to the limited crane parking space next to the wall. To solve the problem, Riga Mainz used the Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane.

“The installation situation here is incredibly tight. The building wall means that this crane location is only possible with the LTM 1650-8.1 We only have a ballast radius of 6.40 metres for the pick-up and swinging of the load. To install the almost 87-tonne gross load at a distance of 23 metres, however, we had to increase it to 7.40 metres. That’s the unique thing about this crane: it can adapt to local conditions and use the tiniest corner of available space.”

Explained Andreas Webler, Project Planner at Riga Mainz, on the construction site.

Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 at work at FAIR construction site

The compact support base of the LTM 1650-8.1 was a key factor: with just 9.60 m from claw to claw, the crane can be erected at full outrigger support even in tight areas. Despite its 700 t capacity, its footprint is almost the same as the LTM 1450-8.1, allowing work in small setup spots and, when needed, dispatching the 1650-8.1 in place of a 450 t unit, adding scheduling flexibility.

Configured with a luffing jib and 175 t of ballast on the turntable, the LTM 1650-8.1 executed lifts to place the modules on 20 m reinforced-concrete columns. An LTM 1110-5.2 pre-assembled the 24.5 m luffing jib for the main crane. Riga Mainz is introducing LICCON3 controls into its fleet and has additional units on order; a recently delivered LTM 1100-5.3, 2.55 m wide with 16.9 t base ballast and a 12 t/axle road configuration, serves as a setup crane for confined sites and indoor work. LICCON3, used alongside the company’s in-house CAD planning, supports detailed pre-planning and verification of crane operations.

Thilo Fischer is the man behind the control levers of the SPMT module at Riga Mainz.

The FAIR facility is a highly complex project: the construction site spans 150,000 m² and includes 25 structures, among them an underground accelerator, and is being developed through a multi-country collaboration. In Darmstadt, a compact setup and careful planning put the pipeline bridges in place, nudging FAIR and us a step closer to understanding where everything comes from.

[Job Story] In Germany FAIR Particle Accelerator Construction Proceeds with Support from Liebherr Cranes published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.