On the road

Liebherr has released more details of its new truck mounted cranes, the LTF 1035-3.1 and the LTF 1045-4.1, first reported IC April, page 7. Pictured is the LTF 1035-3.1, which has a lifting capacity of 35 tonnes and a 30 m main boom. Both new models meet German requirements for unrestricted road travel, the manufacturer said.

Commenting on the new models, Georg Frey, managing director of Liebherr-Werk Ehingen in Germany where the LTF cranes are made, said,“We don't have a classic truck crane, we have a different concept in the form of our LTF cranes where we have a standard truck chassis with a standard Liebherr upper structure. [The main difference is a second engine in the upper structure.] This combines two things - we are using existing modules and we have a truck chassis that is cheaper to buy and to operate.”

For customers who do not need the capabilities of RTs or ATs, customers who travel mainly on the road and where the travelling is very important, the LTF concept is ideal. I think there is a market for them and I think there may be market growth. Reasons include the fact that AT tyres are very expensive and also fuel costs are rising, which, in particular in the small crane class where rates are very low, has had quite an effect.”

For more from Georg Frey see the interview starting on page 47.