Liebherr's heavy hitters

9 July 2012


Showing its giant LR 13000 crawler in public for the first time at a recent customer day, Liebherr surprised guests with an unexpected new all terrain, its second biggest yet. Cristina Brooks reports

Among several 'firsts' in the crane industry unveiled at the event was the launch of new 3,000t LR 13000 crawler, the world's largest pick-and-carry crane.

It can travel carrying a full load with boom systems such as Liebherr's newly optimized heavy-duty P-boom.

Liehberr demonstrated the travelling ability of the LR 13000 as it travelled a short distance under a 1340t capacity test load consisting of three cranes, bound with custom straps, lifting each other.

Target markets for the LR 13000 include power station construction and petrochemical sector, the company said.

Liebherr also unveiled the final prototype of a new nine axle all terrain, LTM 1750-9.1.

During the demonstration, the LTM 1750-9.1 lifted a telecrawler to 80m. A lift like this demonstrates the crane's ability to lift heavy loads to height, as needed by the wind turbine industry when placing increasingly heavy nacelles on ever higher turbine towers.

Ehingen's managing director for R&D, Dr Ulrich Hamme, explained the structural differences that set LTM 1750-9.1 apart from neighbours in the range.

CT: Why did Liebherr decide to develop the new LTM 1750-9.1?
UH: With the LTM 1750-9.1 we want to complete our range of LTM-cranes between LTM 1500-8.1 an LTM 11200-9.1. The new type of all terrain has to differentiate from these models with respect to load capacity range, logistics for driving on road, assembly and disassembly at site, and purchase price.

CT: What structural features make the LTM 1750-9.1 unique?
UH: We intended to design a very strong crane, the strongest in its load capacity class. Based on the 12t axle load limitation for driving on public roads we decided to provide additional construction weight. The upper crane engine and counterweight frame are designed to be transported separately. The dead weight saved by designing the upper crane engine and counterweight frame this way was used to reinforce the boom of the crane.

Before the upper crane engine is connected to the slewing platform all movements which are necessary for self-assembly of the crane can be driven by the lower driving power unit of the carrier. I think this feature is unique for a mobile crane.

CT: Would you please explain the different boom options, such as the Y-guy?
UH: The LTM 1750-9.1 has a relatively short telescopic boom with a length of 52m, but it is a very strong one. We added the Yguy suspension to increase the load capacity and the boom stiffness.

Especially for long systems with the fixed or the luffing jib, the lateral deflection can be minimized by pulling the Y-guy suspension ropes so they are the same length at both sides.

Several weight and axle-load configurations are possible allowing it to drive on-road, compliant with regulations worldwide. Usually the crane can be driven including the telescopic boom, two front suspensions, hoisting winch, large sized tyres and additional rear suspension for self-assembly, with a total weight of 108t.

The total weight can be reduced up to 40t. So the crane is very flexible and offers a very good differentiation concerning driving, rigging and derigging with respect to LTM 1500-8.1 and the LTM 11200-9.1.

CT: What applications and industries can this crane be used in?
UH: The LTM 1750-9.1 is a classic multipurpose heavy-load mobile crane for flexible operation at any industrial or construction site. It is useful for the whole field of applications, for example bridge buildings, power plants, chemical industry, refineries, oil extraction, wind turbine installation and so on.

CT: Have any units of the new crane been sold at this show?
UH: Around 30 units are sold presently. The delivery of the first cranes of LTM 1750-9.1 starts at the beginning of the last quarter of 2012.

Bigger AT production facility
The spectacular high capacity crane launch shows Liehberr following through with plans to increase not only features, but production capacity for its biggest cranes.

Across standard models of all mobile cranes including the newest cranes, Liebherr is rolling out the latest generation of its control system, Liccon2.

The Liccon 2 is being updated with a new feature for anti-collision warnings on rigging, useful for rapid assembly and disassembly of large cranes in confined spaces.

Having launched a new lean assembly facility for building LTM 1750-9.1, LTM 11200 and all crawler cranes over 350t, Liebherr debuted its new testing site for ATs for the benefit of its clients.

Ehingen has now grown to 840,000m sq in size, with a building area covering 220,000sq m.

The company has the largest production facility for all terrains in the world, and 44% of the global market share for all terrains.

The new hall is for assembly of larger cranes, nine axle all terrains and all new crawlers from 350t are assembled.

Further expansion of production is underway at Ehingen, with a facility under construction for building special projects, such as giant hydraulic umbrellas.

Liebherr demonstrated the exceptional travel abilities of the LTM 1750-9.1 at its mobile crane plant in Ehingen.
Liebherr’s innovative 750t all terrain, LTM 1750-9.1 lifting a crane