Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. has announced a major fleet expansion with Liebherr Group during CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas. The investment makes Bigge the first company in the world to own and operate more than 100 Liebherr LR 1300 crawler cranes, marking a significant milestone in the global heavy-lift and crane rental industry.
The order also establishes Bigge as the largest owner of Liebherr LTR 1220 telescopic crawler cranes, reinforcing the company’s position as a leading provider of crane rental and heavy-lift solutions across the United States.
A Milestone in a Long-Term Partnership
The announcement highlights the strong and long-standing partnership between Bigge and Liebherr, built on collaboration, technical performance, and customer-driven innovation.
Over the years, the two companies have worked closely to position the LR 1300 crawler crane as one of the leading 330-ton crawler cranes used across the U.S. construction and infrastructure sectors.
With more than 200 Liebherr crawler cranes already included in Bigge’s Perfect Fleet®, the company has played a key role in establishing the LR 1300 as a benchmark machine for heavy-lift operations in industries such as energy, infrastructure, and industrial construction.
Strategic Investment in Fleet Expansion
According to Weston Settlemier, CEO of Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., the order represents the largest purchase from a single supplier in the company’s 110-year history.
Settlemier emphasised that the investment reflects Bigge’s long-standing commitment to advocating for crane owners across the industry and collaborating with manufacturers that prioritise operator and owner feedback.
He also highlighted the role of Holger Streitz, whose vision contributed to the development and success of the LR 1300 platform.
The partnership demonstrates how close collaboration between equipment manufacturers and crane operators can lead to machines designed around real-world operational requirements.
Supporting Major Infrastructure and Energy Projects
Crawler cranes such as the LR 1300 and LTR 1220 play a crucial role in large-scale projects across sectors including:
- Infrastructure construction
- Wind energy installations
- Industrial manufacturing facilities
- Civil engineering projects
- Nuclear and energy infrastructure development’
These cranes are designed to deliver high lifting capacities, operational flexibility, and reliability across complex project environments.
By expanding its fleet with these machines, Bigge aims to ensure customers have access to the equipment required for increasingly demanding construction and energy projects.
Celebrating 110 Years of Industry Leadership
The announcement comes during Bigge Crane and Rigging Co.’s 110th anniversary, marking more than a century of involvement in major American infrastructure and engineering projects.
Founded in 1916, the company has contributed to landmark projects ranging from the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge to modern wind energy installations and industrial megaprojects.
Today, Bigge operates more than 20 service locations across the United States and maintains a fleet of over 2,000 lifting assets, making it the world’s largest bare-rental mobile crane fleet.
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