Mobile crane supports winter protection of historic fountains

Liebherr mobile construction crane enables precise scaffolding installation for heritage maintenance work at Herrenchiemsee Palace using long-reach lifting and controlled positioning.  www.liebherr.com Maintenance of historic infrastructure often requires lifting equipment capable of combining precision handling with restricted site access and long-reach operation. In this context, a Liebherr MK 88-4.1E mobile construction crane was deployed for scaffold installation work to protect historic fountains at Herreninsel in Lake Chiemsee. Crane logistics for restricted-access construction sites The lifting operation formed part of seasonal preservation work at the Herrenchiemsee Palace gardens, where fountain structures are enclosed with protective scaffold coverings to prevent frost damage during winter months. Transport of the crane required multimodal logistics due to the island location. BKL Baukran Logistik GmbH delivered the four-axle crane to the mainland ferry terminal before transferring it to Herreninsel via cargo ferry. From there, the crane travelled to the palace park, where preassembled scaffolding elements were prepared for installation. From his cab, BKL crane operator Drago has a direct view of the action. In addition, the exact position of the load is displayed on the hook camera monitor. Positioning scaffold structures above sensitive historic structures The lifting work required accurate positioning of large scaffolding elements over fountain sculptures reaching heights of up to 13 metres. Compared with smaller mobile cranes, the MK 88-4.1E provided higher hook heights and improved load positioning through trolley travel along the horizontal jib. This configuration enabled precise lowering of components while maintaining controlled load movement, particularly when using long slings typically required for delicate structures. Such capabilities can reduce the risk of structural contact during lifting operations in heritage environments. Reach and lifting geometry for complex layouts The fountains were located within large drained basins, requiring crane positioning outside the installation area and a working radius of approximately 25 metres. The MK 88-4.1E, equipped with a 45-metre folding horizontal jib, provided hook heights exceeding 59 metres depending on jib position. This allowed installation of large scaffold components without repositioning lifting equipment within the protected park areas. The crane was repositioned once between the two fountain sites, with relocation and setup completed in approximately 30 minutes, allowing continuation of installation work with minimal interruption. Thanks to the ingenious folding mechanism, the boom system of a Liebherr mobile construction crane folds away fully automatically and quickly. This means the MK 88-4.1E can be moved quickly and is ready for use again at its new position. Load control and operator visibility during installation Precise placement of protective coverings and structural elements required clear visibility of lifting operations. The elevated crane cab, positioned at approximately 20 metres height, provided direct line of sight to installation crews. Additional positioning accuracy was achieved through a hook-mounted camera system transmitting live vertical views of the hook and load to the operator display. This enabled centimetre-level positioning accuracy during final placement of scaffold structures and protective coverings. Completing seasonal preservation work Following installation of the scaffold structures, large weather-resistant tarpaulins were lifted into place to protect fountain structures and technical components during winter exposure. After completion of the lifting work, the crane was dismantled through automated boom folding procedures and transported back to the mainland via cargo ferry, completing the logistics cycle required for the temporary installation project. Edited by industrial journalist Aishwarya Mambet, with AI-assistance. www.liebherr.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing