Cairns based Century Cranes continues to grow and recently added a new Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 all terrain, a Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 and a Liebherr LTM 1120-4.1 to the fleet. General manager Bianca Wilson explains how the new Liebherrs are key purchases in the continued upgrade of the fleet.
“We’ve been running Liebherrs with capacities ranging from 60t up to 250t and the fleet includes also a 100t capacity Liebherr hydraulic telescopic boom crawler. The new cranes fit nicely into the fleet especially the Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1. It offers great roadability as gaining permits is not as challenging as it is with the larger 250t Liebherr LTM1250-6.1, but it still offers 75m of main boom,” she said.
“We’ve been really impressed with the performance of the LTM 1230-5.1. It’s lifting capabilities are impressive and the operators and crews have been surprised at how quickly the crane can be set. They absolutely love it,” she said.
“Long, powerful and versatile” is Liebherr’s description of the LTM 1230-5.1 all terrain. The highlights include the length and lifting capacity of the telescopic boom. Its predecessor, the LTM 1200-5.1, also had one of the longest telescopic booms in this crane class at 72 metres.
The 230t capacity crane not only delivers an extra 3 metres in length but also an average of 20 percent greater lifting capacity. In addition to a multi-functional folding jib, a 43 m fixed jib is also available. The Liebherr innovations VarioBase®, VarioBallast, ECOmode and ECOdrive mean that crane operators can use the new LTM 1230-5.1 with even more safety and efficiency.
Long, powerful, variable boom system
The LTM 1230-5.1 is the successor to the global success that was the LTM 1200-5.1. In its development work, Liebherr pursued the objective of increasing both the boom length and the lifting capacity of its predecessor. The result: the LTM 1230-5.1 delivers an extremely long telescopic boom and sets new standards in terms of lifting capacity. With lattice extensions, the maximum hook height has been increased by ten metres to 111 metres. The new Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 is an ideal crane for working on steep gradients and large hook heights, for example for erecting tower cranes or maintenance work for wind turbines.
Liebherr has a wide and variable range of lattice jibs for the new LTM 1230-5.1. The 11.5 to 22 m long folding jib can be mounted at an angle of 0°, 20° or 40°. The folding jib can be supplied with a hydraulic adjustment system as an option which allows it to luff with a full load between 0° and 40°. The pivot point for the folding jib can be raised using up to three straight 7 m lattice sections acting as telescopic boom extensions.
For the last three years, customers with the LTM 1250-5.1 have been able to install a long fixed jib, the first of its kind in the 5-axle class, to achieve enormous radii, for example for hoisting over buildings. This lattice jib is also available for the new LTM 1230-5.1: a fixed jib up to 43 m in length can be achieved with an additional TF adapter (connection between the telescopic boom and the fixed jib), a reducer section and a head piece. Existing lattice extensions are used for this purpose. This jib is generally hydraulically adjustable between 0° and 45° and can therefore be used like a luffing jib. The existing parts can be used to assemble a particularly powerful jib up to 39 metres in length which is ideal for steep working positions.
The maximum ballast for the LTM 1250-5.1 is 72 t, the same as its predecessor, but as a result of its VarioBallast®, which can be adjusted from 4.8 metres to 5.7 metres, the lifting capacity at great radii has been significantly increased compared to the LTM 1200-5.1 and also the LTM 1220-5.2.
The first mobile crane specially designed on VarioBase®
The engineers at Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH placed the multi-award-winning VarioBase® support technology at the focus of the structural steel construction when creating the concept for the new crane. This meant that the new LTM crane is the first to have an asymmetrical support base – with the width being 7.4 metres at the front and 8.1 metres at the rear. VarioBase® means that it is now possible to generate particularly high lifting capacities, particularly at the rear working area over the 8.1 metre wide supports – calculated in real-time by the LICCON controller. This new digitalisation facility has a major influence on the structural steel technology and enhances the customer benefit in the form of lifting capacity increases.
Improved drive technology
A six-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine in the undercarriage which develops 400 kW /
544 bhp and torque of 2,516 Nm provides the LTM 1230-5.1 with all the power it needs. The engine already complies with the Stage V exhaust emissions standard.
The power is transferred to the crane axles via the 12-speed ZF TraXon gearbox. This innovative gearbox delivers new functionalities and benefits for the operator and driver. ECOmode makes the vehicle significantly more comfortable and quieter due to the low engine speed. Furthermore, faster gearshifts ensure greater scope for off-road use. The crane driver also has the “Hill Holder” feature to assist with hill starts.
Time-tested single-engine concept with ECOmode
The LTM 1230-5.1 also features the Liebherr single-engine concept which involves a mechanical shaft powering the superstructure. Gear shafts are routed from the distributor gear in the substructure via two mitre gears through the centre of the slewing ring to the pump distributor gear in the superstructure. An add-on programme in the drive concept ensures that the machine is particularly fuel-efficient. This means that the complete pump drive can be disconnected automatically when the engine is idling and then reconnected by the intelligent controller in a matter of seconds when it is required.
Liebherr has also developed a special mode for mobile cranes in the load-sensing range to reduce the cost of crane operations whilst also reducing noise emissions. ECOmode minimises both fuel consumption and noise emissions when operating the crane superstructure.
Bianca goes on to discuss why Century Cranes continues to invest in Liebherr products.
“In our opinion, Liebherr manufactures superior products, the product is readily available and the after sales service and support is second to none. We look to Bryce O’Brien, sales manager QLD, NT and PNG, from Liebherrs‘ mobile and crawler crane division, who knows our fleet and always makes the right recommendations for us.
“Bryce also works closely with the service and spare parts departments to ensure we are utilising our crane assets as best as possible. The team at Liebherr have been fantastic from Bryce through to Adam Damon in tech support,” she said.
Bianca discusses the Liebherr LTM 1250-5.1
“We’ve been operating the LTM 1250-5.1 for some time and it is also a very impressive machine. As I mentioned, being that bit larger and heavier, applying and receiving permits can take time but it is very roadable and an excellent performer when it gets to site,” she said.
“It’s proved to be a great lifter in many industry applications including tower crane erection and dismantle, HVAC Work (large radius work), Infrastructure works including lifting heavy bridge girders, tilt panel erection, sugar mill maintenance works and various applications in the marine industry.
The LTM 1250-5.1 features enormous load capacities. Liebherr’s designers had a clear concept to follow in the development of this crane – to get the maximum lifting capacity from the available weight of a 5-axle mobile crane.
VarioBallast® enables it to deliver maximum lifting capacities with a large ballast radius, making it perfect for use on constricted sites with a small ballast radius. And it achieves this by quickly adjusting the ballast in seconds. The crane can be fitted with a multi-functional folding jib, a long lowering fixed jib or a rigid powerful jib. Our proven VarioBase®, ECOmode and ECOdrive technologies make the LTM 1250-5.1 particularly safe and efficient.
Bianca discusses the new Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 60t capacity all terrain.
“We purchased the Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 as an upgrade to a machine of similar capacity. In our opinion this is a popular size of machine for any general crane hire company. We will use it for general construction works, roofing iron, structural steel erection, AC installations and replacements, communication tower maintenance and many more applications,” she said.
With a lifting capacity of 60t and 48m of main boom the Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 is ideally prepared for any road.
The Liebherr LTM 1120-4.1 breaks into a performance class which has previously been the sole preserve of five-axle cranes. As far as boom length is concerned, it is on a par with 200t class cranes as its 66m telescopic boom is the longest ever to be installed on a four-axle mobile crane.
Maximum lifting capacity and boom length
Delivering maximum performance on a four-axle mobile crane is a concept which has been traditional at Liebherr for decades. For example, when the current LTM 1100-4.2 was launched in 2009, it set new standards in the four-axle class with a lifting capacity of 10.2t on 60m telescopic boom. The new 120t crane has added 18 percent to this value at the same length. What is more, the LTM 1120-4.1 can extend its telescopic boom to up to 66 m, an additional 10 percent. This means it reaches the same level of many 200t mobile cranes on the market.
The new LTM 1120-4.1 delivers outstanding lifting capacity values, particularly with the boom fully raised. Its lifting capacity of 9t on the 66m telescopic boom makes it ideal for erecting tower cranes and radio masts. Lattice extensions enables the new 120t crane to achieve hook heights of up to 94m and radii of up to 64 m. For this a 7m lattice boom extension is installed as well as a 35 10.8 to 19 m double folding jib, which, as an option, can also be hydraulically adjusted between 0° and 40°. A 2m erection jib and a runner, which can be swung to the side, round off the equipment list.
Great economy and flexibility
The new LTM 1120-4.1 can tackle jobs which normally would require a five-axle crane, eliminating all the logistics work needed for the larger model. Because a four-axle crane delivers benefits in terms of licensing and route permits, it can tackle jobs faster and with greater flexibility. The design of a four-axle crane also enables it to work where there is insufficient space for larger cranes. On constricted sites, in particular, Liebherr’s VarioBallast and VarioBase innovations deliver enhanced performance, flexibility and safety for this new crane model.
VarioBallast on the LTM 1120-4.1 enables the crane to operate with a ballast radius of 12.6 or 3.83 or 4.77 m. The ballast radius can be reduced by 940 mm quickly and easily using standard, mechanically adjustable ballasting cylinders when site conditions get tight. The large ballast radius delivers higher performance and often also cost benefits by reducing ballast transport as many crane jobs can be completed using the system with fewer counterweights.
The maximum of 31t of ballast is distributed so variably that in addition to the 12t axle load version, uniform axle loads of 13.5, 14.5 and 16.5 t can also be achieved. That means benefits driving on construction site and in countries where higher axle loads are permitted.
ECOdrive and ECOmode reduce fuel consumption and noise emissions
A six-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine in the undercarriage, which develops 330 kW / 449 bhp and torque of 2,335 Nm provides the LTM 1120-4.1 with all the power it needs. The engine satisfies the new stage V emissions directive and can also be built to comply with the regulations which apply in countries outside of Europe, for example Tier 4 for the USA or stage III for low regulated countries.
The ZF-TraXon gearbox is used to transmit the power to the crane’s axles. The ECOdrive has proven its value over several years – it delivers enhanced drive properties which both save fuel and reduce noise. Hillstart Aid makes starting on gradients easier.
ECOmode for crane the operations is now standard on Liebherr mobile cranes with a load-sensing control system – the crane controller calculates the perfect engine speed for the working speed selected using the control lever to avoid unnecessarily high engine speeds. That also saves fuel and makes the engine quieter.
The LTM 1060-3.1 is designed for driving on roads with lots of ballast. A special method of dividing the ballast slabs has been included in the design of this mobile crane. This means that a wide range of driving configurations can be achieved quickly and easily. Its compact dimensions and time-tested ECOmode and ECOdrive make this mobile crane extremely economical to use. In addition to its compact size, the 3-axle crane features a long telescopic boom and impressive lifting capacities.
Bianca discusses the last 12 months from Century Cranes’ perspective.
“Over the last 12 months we have purchased from Bryce and Liebherr a brand new 60t capacity all terrain, a 120t, the new 230 and the five axle 250. The purchases are more of an upgrade designed to keep our fleet modern and contemporary, for our team to enjoy,”
“Our work is very diverse and spreads across major construction, infrastructure, and small residential builds and then all the industry sectors we mentioned earlier. Century Cranes is always looking for new members to join our team and thanks to COVID we now have a team from all over Australia.
We grow as the demand requires us to, and that includes lifting capabilities and geographical locations. Bryce and the Liebherr team understand these objectives and are always there to help us achieve these objectives,” she said.