1,500 customers were flown in from all over the world to witness the best of Liebherr’s innovation and 80 Australian and New Zealand Liebherr customers were very impressed with the Consistently Innovative themed event.
Image: Prime Creative
Various technologies were demonstrated live and in person to guests in the Innovation Park. There was also an opportunity for visitors to get hands-on with various cranes: crane operators had the opportunity to test the superstructure operation of machines equipped with the latest LICCON3 control system and drive mobile cranes via wireless remote control. An LTC 1050-3.1E with electric drive was also available for test drives.
The Customer Days at the Liebherr plant in Ehingen, Germany, have established themselves as a globally recognised industry event for mobile and crawler cranes. They took place for the seventh time in mid June this year.
A special highlight was the unveiling the world’s most powerful 6-axle crane on the market: the new LTM 1400-6.1. The 400-tonner has a 70-metre telescopic boom and is characterised by clever yet simple set-up processes. The new crane is the successor to the proven and successful LTM 1350-6.1.
Like its predecessor, the LTM 1400-6.1 is now the smallest crane with Y-guying, making it the perfect introduction to this boom technology with its enormous increase in lifting capacity. The new all-rounder is extremely flexible and economical, thanks to a wide range of equipment, a highly functional modular boom kit and the familiar Liebherr technologies.
Driver Assistance Systems for Increased Safety on the Road
In accordance with EU Regulation 2019/2144, driver assistance systems will ensure greater road safety in future. Accordingly, multiple information systems will also help drivers of Liebherr mobile cranes to navigate areas that are difficult to see, for example on the passenger side of the crane, as well as behind or directly in front of the vehicle. These systems are designed to significantly increase safety, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
The new LTM 1300-6.4 and LTM 1400-6.1 cranes come equipped with these assistance systems as standard. These technologies will gradually be made available for all other mobile crane models in the Liebherr portfolio by mid-2026.
One of the most important new features is the Blind Spot Information System, whereby a camera monitors the entire side area of the crane.
When the crane is turning, the Blind Spot Information System warns the crane driver both visually and audibly if there is a person or an obstacle in the lateral danger zone. The moving off information system also provides a visual and audible warning as soon as someone is in front of the crane. Due to the crane’s design, the driver’s view is somewhat restricted by the hook block and boom.
Children are at particular risk since they are even less visible from the driver’s seat due to their height. The moving off information system monitors the area in front of the crane to prevent accidents.
What Customers Had to Say
Shawn Borger, General Manager Borger Crane Hire and Rigging Services, has this to say about the Liebherr Customer Days.
“Firstly, let how say how impressed I have been with the whole week with Liebherr. It’s been a week full of highlights, including the accommodation, the food and the people on the trip but the Customer Day was very exciting for me.
“There were so many new cranes on display featuring the very latest technology and the crane demonstration really stole the show for me. During the crane demonstration we watched Liebherr demonstrate its commitment to the day’s theme ‘Consistently Innovative’ and to see a crane remotely driven onto a jib section and then lifted into the air was super impressive. Then big surprise came during the night with the drone show which was just next level. I think it was a great, great achievement by Liebherr and all the people that put in for the big day,” said Shawn.
The launch of the new 6-axle LTM 1400-6.1 crane, a powerful 400-tonner with a 70-metre telescopic boom which is designed with a clever yet simple set-up processes, was also a highlight for Shawn and his team.
“We had a group of 13 here because we view the Liebherr Customer Day as being very important in the global crane calendar. We fly some of our senior staff over so they can see how our fleet is going to look in the future.
“We were all impressed with the 400 tonner and we’ve already put an order in for four units already on the strength of what we saw during the day. They won’t be delivered until 2027 but they will be an important addition to our fleet.
“The continued renewal of our fleet is an important strategy for Borger Crane Hire. It is important that customers see we are continually investing in the very latest technology which will help deliver their projects, safely, in full, on budget and on time,” said Shawn.