Liebherr giant in the iron

Already in the iron at the ConExpo showground is Liebherr's new LR 1600/2 crawler crane. The fully rigged 600 tonne capacity crawler is testament to the weeks of preparation that has gone into the exhibition and will be the first opportunity for most people in the industry to see it.

The model on show is owned by Northwest Carne Service which will make good use of its "exceptional load capacities across the entire working area with the most diverse boom configurations," according to Liebherr. The LR 1600/2 can achieve maximum load with a 48 m main boom and derrick system, at a 10m working radius. Maximum load moment is 8,085 tonne meters.

"The dimensions and weights of the individual components are such that the new LR 1600/2 can be moved extremely economically," commented Liebherr. The 74 tonne basic machine, comprising crawler centre section, slewing platform and A-frame, is 3.2m tall, so can be carried on a 1m semi low-loader.

Each crawler carrier, with 2m-wide track pads, weighs less than 40 tonnes and can be transported economically on a 4 axle semi low-loader. No crane components exceed 3m transport width, added the company.