Hiap Heng takes first Liebherr MK 88-4.1E mobile construction crane

Founded in 1983, Hiap Heng runs a fleet of more than 100 large machines, including mobile cranes, crawler cranes and aerial work platforms, serving construction, infrastructure, marine, industrial and energy customers. The MK 88-4.1E is the company’s first step into the mobile construction crane class, which combines a road-going carrier with a folding tower crane superstructure.

Built for tight city sites

Singapore’s building work is shifting ever deeper into densely developed districts where conventional mobile cranes run out of room. The MK’s vertical tower lets the crane work directly against a structure and lift over obstructions, giving long working radii from a very small footprint. An asymmetrical outrigger set-up further trims the space the crane needs on site.

“The construction industry is constantly evolving. Limited space in urban areas is presenting project managers with increasingly complex challenges. Our clients expect safe and cost-effective solutions. The MK 88-4.1E is a targeted addition to our service portfolio,”

— Joyce Foo, CEO, Hiap Heng Group

Foo expects the crane to take on work that would previously have called for more elaborate arrangements, from lifts on office buildings, schools, hospitals and shopping centres to infrastructure schemes and installation jobs.

One operator, several sites a day

A single person can transport, erect and operate the MK 88-4.1E, and the crane is ready to lift shortly after arriving on site without support vehicles — in favourable cases allowing several jobsites to be served in one day. Its electric drive runs from an onboard generator or from site power, optionally on a 32-amp supply, cutting noise and local emissions during operation.

“The electric crane operation is particularly valuable to us, as it drastically reduces noise and emissions. More sustainable construction methods are becoming increasingly important in Singapore. At the same time, Liebherr’s advanced safety systems and intelligent control technologies inspire a high level of confidence among both operators and clients,”

— Joyce Foo, CEO, Hiap Heng Group

The order was placed through local Liebherr partner channels with the involvement of Liebherr-Singapore and the Ehingen mobile crane factory, and Hiap Heng frames it as the start of a longer-term relationship, citing service back-up, technical support and operator training as decisive factors alongside the machine itself.