What makes the LTM 1500 exciting is not so much its 150t lifting capacity or its array of the now-familiar Liebherr crane technology (such as the Liccon information system, Telematik telescoping technique and Liebherr System Busses), but quite simply the length of its oviform boom. For those not satisfied with the basic four-section, 50m boom that the crane comes with, there is the option of a seven-section 84m boom. It is the world’s longest mobile crane telescopic boom.

The downside is that, given that the eight-axle crane weighs exactly 96t when fitted with the 50m boom, the LTM 1500 cannot travel with the longer boom without breaching 12t-per-axle road regulations.

The LTM 1500 was launched at Bauma 98, and by November Liebherr had received orders for 30 units. Deliveries begin at the end of January. Of the orders received, 16 were for the long boom option in addition to the basic 50m set-up. And most of these 16 also opted for the telescopic boom guying system, increasing capacity by up to 250% on some of the chart, and the fixed or luffing jib which give a maximum height under hook of 140m and a working radius of 104m.

The base sections and telescoping sections 1 and 2 of both boom systems are identical, but for the 84m boom version four additional telescopic sections are needed, and they have to be transported separately. Anyone planning to take delivery of a seven-section 84m boom will need a conventional three-axle loader to transport the four telescope extension. To aid assembly, Liebherr installs a boom erection device on the lowloader consisting of a separate diesel-hydraulic system, a two-point supporting device and the lifting and sidetracking mechanism. Boom pack assembly can be done either over the vehicle’s front, rear or side.

The basic assembly sequence is: • Set the crane on outriggers, thus levelling the crane automatically.

• Mount one or two 15t counterweight slabs on the superstructure (depending on whether erecting over the front, rear or side) together with the winch frame.

• Position the lowloader by the crane. Raise the boom pack to working level with the erection device.

• Interlock the telescoping ram with telescope 2 and extend telescope 2 until it passes over telescope 3 and the interlocking pin becomes visible. Interlock telescope 2 and 3 with one another.

• Using the lifting and sidetracking mechanism, insert and secure the upper and lower sole plates.

• Unlock the telescopic boom head from the support and raise the telescopic boom.

• Reeve the hook block with the auxiliary winch.

• Get lifting.

According to Liebherr the boom erection process, with partial counterweight, takes 30 to 45 minutes. And because it has a so-called “tilting head”, hinged laterally to the base section, the LTM 1500 does not need a standby crane for placing mats and counterweight slabs.