15.08.2019

First MK88 in NZ

New Zealand’s Hi Lift Cranes has taken delivery of a Liebherr MK 88 Plus mobile self-erecting tower crane, the first Liebherr mobile tower crane in the country.

The handover at the end of July was held at the Ellerslie Event Centre in Auckland, with Hi Lift inviting its customers to hear more about the new crane and its capabilities. Maximum capacity is eight tonnes at up to 12 metres radius and a height of 30 metres, while it can handle 2.2 tonnes at its maximum radius of 45 metres, and a height of more than 30 metres, or lift 1.85 tonnes to a height of 59 metres at a 32 metre radius.

The crane's overall length on the road is just over 10.7 metres, the overall width 2.75 metres and maximum outrigger spread seven metres. Overall weight is 40 tonnes spread equally between the four axles.
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The handover \(L-R\)Bill Houlker of Liebherr, Tom Curran of Hi Lift, Thomas Schröder and Aleksandra Meissner of Liebherr and Barrie Mabbott of Hi Lift)

General manager Barrie Mabbott said: “We have a clear vision of how the MK can change the market. The MK crane is ideal for the many tight construction sites in central Auckland. As it requires very little space, both in terms of set up and working footprint, so that road closures can often be avoided. Plus the MK can be placed directly at the building in question thanks to its tower crane structure. The MK is also very fast and quiet thanks to its electric drive, which is especially useful at night. Two of our crane operators have already been trained and are full of enthusiasm. They are above all impressed with the one man concept as well as the lift cab, which enables the crane operator to have a clear view of the load.
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Hi Lift Cranes is based in Wiri, south Auckland and was established in 1982 by Ken Joy Drury making it one of the oldest crane rental companies in New Zealand. The Drury family was active in the crane business earlier with Ken’s grandfather setting up a structural steel business in Christchurch in 1958 and buying numerous cranes over the years including the first telescopic in 1970, taking its crane fleet to 15 units.

The company is still family owned, with Ken Drury as director, and employs 30 staff, it already runs five Liebherr mobile cranes in the fleet, including its 160 tonne flagship an LTM1060-5.2. Other cranes include All Terrains from Demag and Grove, Kato city and truck cranes, and Terex/Franna articulated cranes.