New mobile harbour crane from Liebherr

Liebherr has introduced the LHM 420 mobile harbour crane with the company's Pactronic hybrid drive system.

The model succeeds the LHM 400 and bridges the gap between the LHM 550 and the LHM 280. The LHM 420 will be available in two variants with maximum lifting capacities of 84 and 124 tonnes.

Maximum radius is 48 m, making the LHM 420 ideal for loading and unloading a wide range of vessels, from Handysize to Post-Panamax class, said the manufacturer. It is designed for container movement, bulk material, heavy loads and any other cargo handling tasks.

The LMH 420's undercarriage cruciform supporting system is unrivalled in terms of stability and operational safety, claimed Liebherr. "Easy adaptation to various sizes of support bases and pad sizes, as well as the simple incorporation of additional axle sets for better weight distribution are further advantages," said a company spokesman. The tubular, lightweight tower design means corner loads are reduced by 12% compared to the LHM 400.

"Port management worldwide faces the difficult task to stay commercially attractive against fierce competition. Speedy and quick load handling is therefore a fundamental requirement," The spokesman added.

The LHM 420 is the second product line equipped with the manufacturer's Pactronic hybrid drive system. As well as environmental advantages, hoisting power is doubled resulting in up to 100% higher speeds, said the company. It equates to a 30% capacity increase compared to a conventional machine with equal power rating of the primary energy source, said the manufacturer.