Liebherr extends mobility of narrow-track crawler chassis

This has been achieved through an extension of the superstructure, which has also allowed for the superstructure ballast to be reduced from 190 tonnes to 150 tonnes. Depending on the boom length, a central ballast of between 0 and 65 tonnes may be added. 

The LR 1600/2-W (pictured below) was presented at Bauma 2010 and since then has really proved its worth, particularly with its excellent performance in wind farm operations, says Liebherr, adding that it is ideal for installing 3 MW wind power generators on 100 m towers, without the need for a derrick system to be added. 

Liebherr says that the new variant does not require its lattice elements to be reconfigured. After assembly, it's on to the next site with everything in place, which means the crane can be operated more swiftly and economically. The use of an SL boom system makes transport especially economical, since the L-lattice boom sections can simply be pushed into the S-pieces. 

With the narrow-track versions of Liebherr crawler cranes, the star-pattern supports are installed between the middle part of the crawler chassis and the superstructure. This makes it possible, when the crane is on the move, for two support spars to be slewed to the front and two to the rear. The jack pads are guided so close to the ground that if the crawler carrier starts to sink in, they engage immediately and enlarge the standing base area. 

The slewing star-pattern supports also make it possible to optimise the width of the support base with the route open for the crane. This provides a great degree of security against sideways tipping, says Liebherr, and is better than cranes on which the side supports have to be completely pivoted upwards when the crane is moving. 

The Liebherr design also offers a slimmer passage width in the area of the superstructure, with the LR 1600/2-W measuring only 6.5 m at this point.