17.10.2014

Liebherr LTR 1220 as counterweight?

Liebherr has developed a concept for erecting its LR1600/2 crawler crane - when using long wind power booms - using the mass of the 220 tonne LTR1220 telescopic crawler assist crane as counterweight. Significantly reducing the amount of ballast transported and eliminating its handling on site.

The process has been developed for use in the wind power industry when a large counterweight is required on the crane for the erection of long boom systems whilst the derrick ballast can be completely removed or reduced to just a few ballast plates for the actual hoist.

The concept uses the weight of an auxiliary crane as derrick ballast during the erection process – a crane which is generally available on the site to complete setting up and light hoisting work.
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The LTR 1220 becomes the counterweight using an adapter on the telescopic boom

Liebherr unveiled the system to more than 60 customers which either operate an LR1600/2 or work in the wind power industry at its Ehingen facility. The units was rigged with an SL10DFB configuration with 153 metres of main boom and 12 metre fixed jib as practical example. Using the conventional procedure, erection would need full counterweight plus 350 tonnes of derrick ballast. This would then be reduced to 70 tonnes for lifting the standard wind turbine components. The full 350 tonnes would then be required again to lower the boom again.

Using the new method the time-consuming ballast handling and transport of 280 tonnes of ballast is no longer required as only 70 tonnes of coiunterweight is required for use as suspended ballast, along with the LTR1220 attached using an adapter. After the erection process the telescopic crawler crane is detached.
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Using the LTR 1220 as derrick ballast for erecting tall wind power systems on the LR 1600/2

The hook block on the LTR 1220 remains reeved during the erection process so that it can quickly be used again afterwards for handling components of the wind turbines or other work.

Liebherr says that the concept has attracted a great deal of interest. The event was also used to reveal more information on new, more powerful boom systems for the LR 1600/2, such as the SL10 and SL13.

The concept can be used for all long boom systems up to 156 metres with a 12 metre fixed jib. This applies both to the new SL10 and SL13 systems and also to the existing SL4 system.