Fleurieu Cranes recently deployed its Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 to lift 12 super-T beams to support the new bridge at Aldinga (south of Adelaide). The bridge is part of the new Aldinga Interchange, a key feature of the Main South Road stage 2 duplication project, part of the $810.4 million Fleurieu Connections project, funded by the South Australian and Australian governments.
Ryan Grocke, Fleurieu Cranes’ Crane and Rigging Supervisor explains how the business has been providing craneage since the project began.
“We’ve been working on various elements of the project for the best part of three years and at any one stage, we can have up to seven cranes on site, ranging from large slew cranes down to our pick and carry cranes.
“On the Pedler Creek Bridge project we lifted 50 no. super-T beams, each weighing up to 65 tonnes, with a Liebherr LR 1600/2 600 tonne capacity crawler with 310 tonnes of counterweight and included super-lift tray lifting at a radius of 36 metres. We could not have done this without the valuable assistance from Borger Cranes including crane and personnel.
“For Tatachilla we lifted 9 no. super-T beams each weighing 86t. We performed these lifts with our 400t Grove with 75t counterweight and Mega Wing. We were working at maximum radius for each beam set up due to capacity constraints. We were working alongside Premier Constructions for this part of the project,” said Ryan.
“With the Old Port Road Bridge we lifted 7 no. Super-T beams each weighing 40t. Again we utilised our 400t Grove with 95t of counterweight, with Mega Wing. We were lifting at a radius of 17m and we were working alongside Robar Civil.
“We also completed the lifts on the Aldinga Bridge which involved 12 no. Super-T beams each weighing 45 tonnes. We deployed our Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 with Y- Guy for these works. We were lifting at a 30m radius and working alongside SGP Civil,” he said.
Working with the Fleurieu Connections Alliance, a consortium comprising of CPB Contractors, Aurecon and GHD, with sub-alliance partners McMahon Services Australia and Tonkin, in association with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Fleurieu Cranes through consultation decided to deploy the Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 for the project. The works could have been completed by a lesser capacity crane, however all agreed the job would be completed quicker and more safely by the 700 capacity all terrain. The 12 no. Super-T beams, each weighing 45 tonnes, were installed over a two-day period.
“We were lifting the Super-T beams at a radius of 30 metres, with 45 metres of main boom with Y-Guy and 155 tonnes of counterweight,” said Ryan.
As a result of meticulous planning the lifts were completed without a hitch and ahead of time.
“On the Wednesday, we began unloading the T-beams with our 220t Tadano all terrain crane. We mobilised the Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 on Thursday and it was set up that afternoon. The 220t left once the Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 was set up and stayed in the one position. We installed the first beam on Friday morning and the last beam on Saturday afternoon,” said Ryan.
In designing the eight-axle crane, Liebherr focused on maximum load capacities. The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 travels with an axle load of 12t complete with its 54m telescopic boom and the front supports. To minimise the set-up time, however, the rear supports are installed as one complete module in a single hoist and connected using quick-release couplings.
Liebherr can offer the LTM 1650-8.1 with a very wide range of transport weights and axle load versions to ensure cost-effective global mobility for axle loads both above and below 12 tonnes.
Powerful, variable boom system
Liebherr can supply the crane with two telescopic boom lengths – 54m or 80m. Customers can also buy both lengths and change them easily by replacing telescope section three and roller head with telescope sections three to five.
The designers used the time-tested technology from the LTM 1500-8.1 for the Y-guying of the new LTM 1650-8.1 – although they upgraded the single-rope system to achieve better performance, the benefit of easy handling was retained. The experts from Ehingen focused on achieving an easy, fast and safe set-up process during the design process. A range of lattice boom configurations enables it to work efficiently in a wide range of applications. With a fixed lattice boom from six to 62m in length, the telescopic boom can be extended particularly easily and quickly. It is attached at an angle of 0 degrees, 10°, 20°, or 40°. As an option, the fixed boom can be adjusted between 0° and 38°. The luffing lattice boom with a length of 21 to 91m delivers maximum height, radius and performance. Both lattice booms can be attached to the 54m and the 80m telescopic boom.
High performance normally requires a large ballast radius. But often there is simply not enough space on sites. This means the ballast radius must be as small as possible. Liebherr meets this challenge with its VarioBallast innovation. The new LTM 1650-8.1 has adopted the time-tested system from the LTM 1450-8.1 – the ballast radius can be infinitely adjusted using a simple hydraulic slewing mechanism – on the LTM 1650-8.1 between 6.3 and 8.4m.
An eight-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine in the undercarriage, which develops 505 kilowatt (kw)/687 brake horsepower (bhp) and torque of 3160 Newton-meters (Nm), provides the LTM 1650-8.1 with all the power it needs. The engine satisfies the new stage V emissions directive and can be built to comply with the regulations that apply in countries outside of Europe, for example Tier 4f for the USA or stage III for low regulated countries.
The power is transferred to the crane axles using the innovative 12-speed ZF TraXon Torque gearbox. A torque converter enhances manoeuvring and starting. ECOdrive is a new feature. The additional eco mode delivers enhanced drive properties which both save fuel and reduce noise. Meanwhile, hill start aid makes starting on gradients easier. The intarder, a zero-wear hydrodynamic brake integrated in the gearbox, acts as a retarder. In addition, a Telma eddy current brake is standard.
A mechanical shaft ensures a particularly high efficiency level and low engine speeds in the chassis engine provide sufficient power for crane work. This ensures the economy of the new concept in terms of fuel consumption. The benefits of not having a separate superstructure engine include reduced maintenance work and lower weight. The lower weight can be used for load-bearing components, thus increasing the crane’s load capacity. In ECOmode 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.
“The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 is amazing and brings so much value to the Fleurieu Cranes fleet,” said Ryan. “The crews love working with the crane, it proved on this project how much productivity you can achieve with a crane featuring these lifting capabilities. It made the hard work look effortless.”