China Construction New Zealand – part of the huge China State Construction Engineering Corporation – is using two Liebherr luffing jib tower cranes to help build the ‘Seascape’ skyscraper in Auckland, New Zealand.
A 280 HC-L 12/24, with a maximum lifting capacity of 24 tonnes and a radius of 40 metres, is in use on site alongside a 542 HC-L 18/36, working with a lifting capacity of up to 36 tonnes and a 50-metre radius, are being used to lift steel and glass components.
Liebherr has provided a special climbing concept and trained service engineers for the high profile project.
As the height of the skyscraper increases, Liebherr is correspondingly rising the 280 HC-L using a 355 IC internal climbing system. The tower sections, measuring just 1.9 x 1.9 metres, are narrow and often used in spaces such as lift shafts. Here, however, they are being used externally.
This setup, Liebherr says, allows the 280 HC-L and 542 HC-L to provide optimal service on site as fewer tower sections are needed. Also interior work in the lower section of the residential tower can be carried out unhindered.
The 542 HC-L is being raised on the outside of the building using a more traditional 500 HC tower system. The luffing jib crane will be tied to the building a total of nine times until it reaches a maximum tower height of approximately 163 metres.
Once in position, the 542 HC-L will carry out the final lifts on site and also assist in dismantling the 280 HC-L. The 542 HC-L will then climb back down the building and be dismantled with the help of a mobile crane. Liebherr’s service engineers are responsible for maintaining and climbing both cranes and will also take on disassembly.
