Liebherr stands out at ConExpo

Liebherr’s stand is among the largest and most impressive at ConExpo displaying 25 machines over 50,000 square feet outside in the Gold Lot. Two new rough terrain cranes are highlights. Liebherr announced its return to the rough terrain market in October 2016 and this show is the first public airing in what is likely to be their biggest market. Within the stand there is a whole host of Liebherr’s product offerings. The following are just a taster of Liebherr’s products that have caught our eye so far…

WHEELED MOBILE CRANES

On show are the 100 US ton (91 tonne) capacity LRT 1090-2.1 and the 110 US ton (100 tonne) LRT 1100-2.1. The former has a 154 foot (47 m) telescopic boom with a two-stage hydraulic cylinder with rope extension. The larger model has a 164 foot (50 m) boom with the Telematik system which allows extension options. It also boasts around 15 percent more capacity than its smaller sibling.

Both have an outrigger monitoring system as standard. The support status, on tyres or outriggers, is detected automatically and saved to the crane controller. The attachment of the ballast to the turntable and the installation of the optional double folding jib, including its angle adjustment, are also recorded and monitored.

The VarioBase variable support base system is standard on the new LRT cranes. It allows each outrigger to be extended to any length. The LICCON control system calculates a lifting chart whatever the extension of the outrigger beams.

The two new LRT models are the first mobile cranes which meet global safety standards and comply with all global regulations, including the US standard ANSI B30.5, The European EN 13000, Australian Standards (AS) and the Russian GOST standard.

Dimensions of the Liebherr RTs are 12 feet 8 inches high and 10 feet 10 inches wide (3.86 x 3.3 m). Their curb weight is less than 121,000 pounds (55 tonnes) with full equipment, including ballast, or under 88,000 pounds (40 tonnes) without ballast or equipment.

CRAWLER CRANES

Also on display is Liebherr’s LR 1500, its newest 500 tonne capacity lattice boom crawler. Buckner Heavylift is the first US customer for this crane (that was first shown at the company’s Customer Days in mid-2015 before its public launch at the Bauma Munich show in 2016). Among others, an LR 1300SX set up for foundation work will also be on show, in Bigge colours.

VIRTUAL REALITY

Liebherr is offering visitors a virtual reality application so that they can experience the operation of a tower crane in real time. Experiences include the 710 HC-L luffing jib crane working on the MoMA Tower in New York, USA, about 1,000 feet (300 metres) in the air. Using a game pad and virtual reality goggles, you can explore the 3-D world, looking at the man-size hook up close, flying into the crane's jib or through urban canyons and watching the traffic below. The virtual reality application also allows visitors to experience different weather conditions and times of the day and night.

SELF-ERECTING TOWER CRANES

Liebherr is exhibiting its new 81 K.1 fast-erecting crane, an upgrade of the 81 K. The lifting capacity can be temporarily increased by up to 20 per cent. Using the ‘Load-Plus’ function, Liebherr says there is no need to use an additional larger crane for heavyweight hoists. By bolting on an extension, the jib can be extended by 9.84 feet (3 metres), increasing the maximum radius to 157 feet (48 m).

Liebherr has also unveiled the new optional exterior cabin for its K series cranes. The company tells us the cabin can be installed quickly and easily on any new K crane using its own load hook. The safe access ladder on the side is easy to reach and, because of its external position, the crane operator has a good view of the site.

According to Liebherr, the new cabin is designed to give the crane driver plenty of space and enable him to work efficiently without fatigue. Costs can be reduced for fleet operators since the same cabin can be used on different Liebherr fast erecting cranes where necessary.

Gold lot, booth number G4637