05.11.2021

LR 1600 hangs up its boom

Liebherr has built the very last of its 600 tonne LR 1600/2 crawler cranes and officially ceased production, following the arrival of its successor, the 700 tonne LR 1700-1.0. The final model - the 223rd to roll off the line since its introduction almost 13 years ago - has been taken by Dutch crane company Van Adrighem.
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The very last Liebherr LR 1600/2 leaves the Ehingen facility

The LR 1600/2 was originally designed for the wind turbine market, with the first unit delivered in 2008. It was equipped with 138 metres of main boom plus a 12 metre fixed jib in order to work hub heights of 130 to 135 metres. In addition to the standard version, Liebherr also developed a narrow tracked version, the LR 1600/2-W, which eventually accounted for more than a quarter of all LR 1600 shipments.
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The LR 1600/2 has been one of Liebherr's most successful crawler cranes to date

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A 600 tonne Liebherr LR 1600/2 crawler crane from Krandienst Schulz's fleet

Over time, as hub heights began to exceed 150 metres, Liebherr introduced new boom systems as well as the ability to retrofit the company’s derrick ballast and VarioTray systems.
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A LR 1600/2 fitted with Liebherr’s SL-10 boom upgrade

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Mediaco’s LR 1600/2 featured a derrick ballast with VarioTray

While the LR 1600/2 remained a popular crane, Liebherr points out that the 700 tonne LR 1700-1.0 is able to meet the very latest demands of the wind turbine installation industry, including turbines with hub heights of 165 metres, as well as handling components weighing more than 100 tonnes. The first LR 1700-1.0s were taken by German rental companies Hofmann and Wasel – see: First LR 1700s to Germany.
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Hofmann and Wasel were the first to take the new LR 1700-1.0s