Precision work in the tightest of spaces: SENNEBOGEN 653 E during the U5 expansion

06.11.2026 Munich, Germany Author: Maximilian Frick, PR-Manager

Crawler telecrane for specialist foundation engineering: SENNEBOGEN 653 E on the U5 construction site in Munich-Pasing

On the restricted site at Pasing station, lifting operations take place alongside large specialist foundation engineering machines and in parallel with excavation work. The 50-tonne SENNEBOGEN 653 E telescopic crawler crane moves tools, materials and reinforcement cages for bored pile and diaphragm wall construction. A 200-tonne SENNEBOGEN 5500 crawler crane was also used at times for heavier loads and longer lifting distances.

What challenges does the restricted site at Pasing station present?

As part of the extension of Munich’s U5 underground line, a subway station approximately 400 m long is being built beneath Pasing station. The ARGE U5 West 2 consortium, comprising Wayss & Freytag, Max Bögl and Züblin, is constructing the station around 25 m below ground. The busy station and a heavily trafficked main road are directly next to the site. Several bored piles and diaphragm wall panels are being constructed at the same time within the limited space.

This places specific demands on the lifting operations: the crane must handle a range of loads, manoeuvre between large specialist foundation engineering machines and work close to ongoing construction activities. The SENNEBOGEN 653 E has supported these operations for around nine months.

A SENNEBOGEN 653 E is lifting a rebar cage for bored pile work at the U5 construction site in Munich-Pasing. — The SENNEBOGEN 653 E lifts a reinforcement cage for bored pile work on the U5 construction site in Munich-Pasing.

Project and operating data at a glance

Project:	Extension of the U5 and construction of a subway station approximately 400 m long in Munich-Pasing
Construction depth	Around 25 m below ground
Application	Bored pile and diaphragm wall construction on a restricted site
SENNEBOGEN 653 E	50-tonne telescopic crawler crane for a range of lifting tasks, including tools, materials and lighter reinforcement cages
SENNEBOGEN 5500:	200-tonne crawler crane for heavy lifts and longer distances; loads of up to 35 tonnes

A SENNEBOGEN 653 E is moving a rebar cage next to a drilling rig on the cramped construction site at Pasing Station. — The SENNEBOGEN 653 E moves a reinforcement cage beside a drilling rig on the restricted site at Pasing station.

The SENNEBOGEN 653 E: a flexible lifting solution

During bored pile construction, the 653 E lifts tools to the drilling rig and, in some cases, removes them after use. These include six-metre-long drill pipes with a diameter of 1.50 m, filled tremie pipe boxes, pumps and smaller machines. The telescopic crawler crane also unloads materials, moves them around the site and installs reinforcement cages.

The crane also moves tremie pipes, pumps, diaphragm wall cutters and other tools and materials during diaphragm wall construction. It unloads lighter reinforcement cages as well. The 653 E therefore handles recurring lifting tasks in both areas of work.

How can lifting operations run alongside specialist foundation work?

The operator of the SENNEBOGEN 653 E lifting a rebar cage at the U5 construction site in Munich-Pasing. — The operator controls a lift involving a reinforcement cage with the SENNEBOGEN 653 E on the U5 construction site.

The compact design and manoeuvrability of the 653 E make it possible to work close to large drilling rigs and diaphragm wall equipment. The crane can also reach areas where larger cranes have less room to manoeuvre between the specialist foundation machines. This allows lifting and excavation work to be organised in parallel.

The employees are specially trained to work in the confined areas. One or two signallers assist during lifting operations. The operator also uses the 653 E’s remote control. This allows the operator to move outside the cab, view the working area from a different position and manoeuvre loads flexibly and safely.

Clear division of tasks between the 653 E and the 5500

At times, the SENNEBOGEN 653 E and SENNEBOGEN 5500 worked on the site simultaneously. The 200-ton 5500 crawler crane handled the heavier lifts and work over longer distances. Its main task was installing reinforcement cages in the diaphragm wall, moving loads of up to 35 tons. The 653 E was primarily responsible for lighter loads and lifting tasks in particularly confined areas.

Results and continued use

The two cranes complemented each other, handling different tasks. Once the heavy diaphragm wall lifts were complete, the SENNEBOGEN 5500 was no longer required. The SENNEBOGEN 653 E remained on site to carry out its own lifting tasks as construction progressed. The combination of a compact crane for confined areas and a large crawler crane for heavy loads supported the parallel construction processes on the U5 site.

Further information: SENNEBOGEN telescopic cranes