Goodline provides construction and maintenance services to Australia’s major resource companies across the country. Goodline recently took delivery of a Liebherr LTM 1090-4.2 from Tom Grady, National Used Crane Manager, Mobile and Crawler cranes.
Goodline is an Australian owned company started by John and Catherine Kennedy in 1999 for the provision of engineering, construction and maintenance services nationwide. Today, Goodline has operations in South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Sunshine Coast and boasts a work force of 700 plus. Thomas Kennedy discusses the purchase of the Liebherr.
“In 1999 we started out as a rigging company but since then, we’ve seen significant growth and now provide services for almost everything from domestic electrical and refrigeration to major projects, crane work and automotive fabrications and repairs,” he said. “Obviously, with our locations we are heavily focused on the mining and resources sector.”
He goes on to discuss Goodline’s crane fleet.
“The size and structure of the fleet has fluctuated and at one point, it was massive. I’ve trimmed it right back to get the right usage and right now, we run a number of Frannas of varying capacities. We have two 60 tonne and a 30 tonne truck-mounted cranes, a 55 tonne rough terrain, two 130 tonne capacity all terrains and now the 90 tonne Liebherr.
“This is the first Liebherr in our fleet. We’ve always run Tadanos and we still have a great relationship with the brand, Over the past couple of years we’ve seen crane prices and the values of second-hand equipment increase significantly. Tom Grady and I have spoken over the past couple of years and Liebherr has been keen to secure our business. The purchase of the Liebherr LTM 1090-4.2 fell into place perfectly.
“Generally speaking, when you want something, you want it straight away and this was a quick turnaround process. Tom and his team were very easy to deal with, he was in regular contact, keeping us up to date with times and what was happening to the crane,” said Thomas.
Liebherr’s refurbishment and delivery process
The Liebherr LTM 1090-4.2 was first sold to a German customer in August 2018 with Liebherr-Werk Ehingen (LWE) trading it back in November 2023. Liebherr Australia purchased the crane for stock in December 2023 and it arrived in the Melbourne yard in August 2024.
Goodline purchased the crane in September and the official handover was in Nhulunbuy Northern Territory in November 2024, with operator familiarisation taking place in January 2025.
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen (LWE) conducted an extensive process of inspections, cleaning, refurbishing and testing of the crane prior to it being shipped to Australia. On receipt, the Liebherr LTM 1090-4.2 was subject to a complete inspection followed by six days of washing. Liebherr’s Tom Grady explains how much detail the Liebherr refurbishing team goes into.
“The inspection includes testing of the engine, clutch, transmission and hydraulic pressures. Electrical, brakes, steering, suspension and cylinder tests also are carried out. All failed or suspect components are replaced with new.
“Welds and welding joints are inspected, including NDT (Non-destructive testing), if and where required. The slewing ring assembly is inspected. Ropes are run out, inspected, measured and rewound. If any issues are found, they are replaced,” said Tom.
“The telescopic boom is removed, inspected, and tested on the horizontal bench tester. The carrier then moves into the refurbishment process. They examine steering components, axle assemblies, chassis, outriggers, cabin, check for any leaks and for everything else that was noted during the inspection.”
All new component upgrades are now installed
In the case of Goodline’s Liebherr LTM 1090-4.2 the crane required upgrades to the double swing-away jib with hydraulic luffing, second winch, rooster, 20.5 alloy wheels and tyres including guard extensions, rear timber box, five sheave, single sheave and crane hooks.
“After the refurbishment and component upgrades took place, the crane was taken outside for a 40 kilometre test drive,” said Tom.
“It is then driven straight back over the inspection tunnel for a final inspection and adjustments. After successfully passing the road test, the crane was driven outside onto the factory test area, supported with complete counterweight and the super structure features/movements are tested.
“All possible jib and boom configurations are tested; this extensive testing took around 10 days. A high load test is conducted overnight to see how the winches, luffing cylinders, telescopic cylinder and outrigger cylinders perform.”
“The measurements taken include checking that the height of the load from the ground up, radius, etc, hadn’t changed. A document is produced confirming all deviations found during this process.”
Once the testing is completed the crane goes through a thorough wash for Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, radiators, coolers, cab floors, all guards, toolboxes removed and cleaned. The outriggers and boom were cleaned during removal during the repair process. The crane then moves into LWE’s paint shop immediately after the preparation work is completed. Once the paint job is completed the crane goes through the final stages which includes Liebherr decals, customer branding, etc. The last part of the process includes inspection of oils, filters and Quality Assurance (QA) prior to its 900 kilometre road test to the German port for shipping Down Under.
“Once the crane had arrived into Port Melbourne, Australia and was purchased by Goodline, we transported it up to our Yatala branch where they carried out the roadability, safety items, fitment of seat covers, cameras, winch hr metres, window tinting, and Engel fridge.
“They finalised the 10-year inspection recertification, crane safe, plant registration, Pre-Delivery Inspection, final quality assurance and Queensland road registration. Six months factory warranty was included upon handover.
“The customer then transported the crane by road to Darwin where it went onto a barge to Gove port. It was then driven to Goodline’s premises in Nhulunbuy. We carried out operator familiarisation at Goodline in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory,” said Tom.
Thomas is happy with the performance of the crane.
“The Liebherr has only been out on a couple of jobs because we have the big wet up here in the Northern Territory at this time of year and that slows down the cranage work. But the guys have been impressed with the crane and everything Liebherr brings to the party.
“The training and familiarisation were excellent, as was the service from Tom and his team.
“A little twist of fate with Goodline celebrating its 25 years in business by purchasing a quality second-hand all terrain from Liebherr.