Schaefer Crane Service

05/02/2026

Today, Schaefer Companies joined with the community in honoring WWII hero, Willibald Bianchi with a public flag tribute in New Ulm. The symbol of honor was close to the New Ulm Catholic cemetery were the ceremony was held, where a large American flag was raised using a Schaefer crane in the Cash Wise Parking lot. On behalf of all of Schaefer Companies, employees and family members, we are honored to be a part of this patriotic community event!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 💫✨💫 Grateful for our customers over the last year and looking forward to a great year in 2026!

12/19/2025

Our 225-Ton crane with full counterweight and 210’ of main boom, was south of Mankato putting solar equipment on the roof of the brand-new Blue Earth County Public Works building. This configuration allowed us to distribute the equipment evenly across the roof reaching as far as 195’ radius! Big thanks to our friends at Paul’s Electric in New Ulm for trusting us for their lifting needs. Loving seeing more solar power come to life in southern Minnesota! ☀️See more heavy lifts at www.schaefercrane.com

12/15/2025

We are so grateful to be a part of this incredible tradition and also thankful for the news channels that make it such a fun story to tell! New Ulm New Ulm, Minnesota...❤️🎄

We were thrilled to be featured on KSTP 5 Eyewitness News – Minnesota Live with Paul Folger and Chris Egert, highlighting one of New Ulm’s most talked-about holiday traditions — our upside-down Christmas tree!

The segment explored the history behind the upside-down tree, its European roots, and how it reflects New Ulm’s deep German heritage, along with a special nod to the glowing Schell’s Brewery luminaries that make the season even more magical. ✨🍺

We love seeing New Ulm’s unique holiday traditions shared across the state — and welcoming even more visitors to experience them in person.

Thanks to KSTP for helping tell our story!
Watch the feature here 👉 https://kstp.com/special-coverage/minnesota-live/new-ulm-christmas-tree/

12/09/2025

A few weeks ago we brough out the 350 Ton crane at Valley Queen Cheese in Milbank, assisting Hasslen Construction with some equipment lifts. 🏗️ We were lifting a 13,000 pound Crystalizer at a 135’ radius. Hasslen had their crane onsite to assist us tailing the equipment from horizontal to vertical and to lift a personnel basket for the workers to install the unit through the roof. It was a great collaboration.

12/06/2025

Thank you to KARE 11 for a great segment! 🎄✨🎄 Love being a part of this tradition and this awesome community!

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1401088858727550&id=100064793467806&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=anCb4BhwJK6UaGDP #

New Ulm has flipped a tradition on its head with its upside-down 40-foot Christmas tree.

11/30/2025

A warm thank you to all who came out to the Parade Of Lights! 💫✨💫 It was a wonderful celebration of the season and community! 😊 Wishing all of you a wonderful rest of the year! 🎄🎁❄️

11/25/2025

A huge thank you to the The Journal, New Ulm, Minn. for this awesome article! 🎄 We are truly grateful to be a part of this tradition and for all of the excitement from our home town!

NEW ULM — A beloved and uniquely festive tradition has returned to New Ulm this holiday season. Towering 40 feet above the ground — or more accurately, hanging 40 feet toward the ground — a blue spruce was placed upside down in German Park, continuing a tradition launched last year by the Down...

11/25/2025

Happy Holidays from Schaefer Companies!! ✨We are honored to be chosen again this year to join in this long-standing, German holiday tradition, introduced to New Ulm last year. 🎄 Join Schaefer Companies – Schaefer Crane for two special events on Friday, November 28th, 1st at 5 PM at German Park: Witness the official lighting of the famous upside-down Christmas tree, proudly suspended by Schaefer's very first crane, a 12½ ton crane that is now retired. 🏗️ Then at 6pm, follow us to the dazzling Parade of Lights! Come say hello and share in the cheer!

09/10/2025

Tandem lift in Madelia the other week! 🏗️ We set a 40,000-pound bulk weigher for Schaefer Contracting at Crystal Valley 👉 using our 350-ton crane to place it at a 75’ radius, with our 150-ton crane assisting on the unload and stand-up. 💪 This bulk weigher ties into the new grain leg for the train car loadout, and it’s exciting to see the project coming together! 🙌 See more at www.schaefercrane.com

08/15/2025

We recently teamed up with Peterson Sheet Metal at St. Peter Middle School to install three new 10,000-pound rooftop units. 🏗️ With our 350-ton crane, we handled lifts up to a 180-foot radius to get the job done. The upgrades will keep the building running smoothly for the new school year. 🏫🎒🚸

08/13/2025

Just finished up a residential project. 🏗️ We placed this modular home for the homeowner, just south of Springfield, MN – each piece weighing 30,000 pounds. 💪Thank you to the residents for entrusting us to make their home ownership goals, a reality! 🏡