Crane hire company City Lifting has become the first in the UK to take delivery of the Liebherr 195 HC-LH luffing jib crane, scheduled to be deployed for a housing development project in Essex.
Liebherr provided technical assistance to City Lifting’s team during the crane’s first assembly at the latter’s Leighton Buzzard yard. A week-long familiarisation programme was conducted to ensure operations ran smoothly.
The training covered key systems and components and gave technicians the opportunity to address questions with Liebherr representatives on-site.
The 195 HC-LH’s arrival follows an agreement announced last year, with the milestone celebrated at the Bauma exhibition in April 2025 by representatives from both companies.
City Lifting, which specialises in mobile and tower crane hire, is based in Purfleet, Essex. The company frequently supports construction projects across London, including complex inner-city assignments and work on major landmarks.
The 195 HC-LH crane joins City Lifting’s fleet with several features suitable for demanding urban locations.
It operates at a minimum working radius of 3m and can achieve an out-of-service position under 10m, allowing for flexible configuration in restricted spaces.
Transport to construction sites requires four vehicles, helping to limit disruption. Onsite assembly is facilitated by components weighing no more than 8t, allowing the use of smaller assist cranes and pre-assembled elements for quicker installation.
Technical specifications include a hydraulic luffing system capable of completing movements in under 90 seconds, a Load-Plus function that temporarily boosts lifting capacity by up to 25%, and Liebherr’s Tower Crane OS, which provides operational control and system oversight.
The crane’s 1.6m tower width enables installation within lift shafts or for internal climbing, and counterweights are fitted without needing reorientation.
The maintenance process is simplified as the hydraulic luffing cylinder can be taken apart due to bolted joints, and a self-removal system for the cylinder comes as standard.
City Lifting managing director Trevor Jepson said: “Several standout features of the crane influenced our decision to acquire the unit.
“The hoist winch is positioned inside the first jib section, which saves transport and time. Its generously sized drum also means fewer layers of rope are needed for tall buildings.”
Liebherr has outlined ongoing after-sales support to supply technical information or assistance when required, aiming to minimise downtime and maintain operational continuity of the 195 HC-LH tower crane within City Lifting’s portfolio.
Last month, Liebherr LTM 1400-6.1 mobile crane carried out its inaugural assignment in Paris, dismantling an 80m construction crane in limited space and within a set timeframe.
