Liebherr has expanded its range of telescopic crawler cranes with a 150-t model, the LTR 1150, which is positioned between the LTR 1100 and the LTR 1220. Although the new crane offers around 50% more lifting capacity than the LTR 1100, it can be transported just as easily and economically as its 100-t sibling – complete with crawler carriers with a total weight of only 60 t and a transport width of 3.5 m.

Optionally, the LTR 1150 can be transported with a width of 3.0 m – the crawler carriers are removed to allow this, which reduces the crane’s transport weight to only 38 t. This variant requires a jack-up erection support consisting of four swivelling cylinders, which support the crane on the ground while the tracks are removed and the low-loader positions itself under the crane. This method has been applied to the 100-t LTR 1100. New on the LTR 1150 is an automatic support system that assists the operator; this was developed to enable faster and easier assembly and disassembly of the crawler carriers.

The two crawler carriers, each weighing 11 t, can be transported together on a standard semi-trailer with a width of 2.55 m. The integrated access steps are folded in during transport.

In terms of ballast distribution, Liebherr has also focused on ensuring economical transport worldwide. With only four lifts, the entire counterweight can be ballasted on the crane: two lifts for the two 11-t central ballasts and two for the maximum slewing platform ballast of 41 t. As with the Liebherr LTM cranes, this is attached to the slewing platform using a hydraulic ballasting device. Liebherr-AutoBallast supports the crane driver during this process. The support for the slewing platform ballast is integrated in the central ballast.

The VarioBase variable supporting base not only provides greater safety for telescopic mobile cranes, but also allows significantly higher load capacities, especially for lifts directly over the supports. The system determines the optimum load capacity in real time depending on the fixed track width and the variable rotation angle. The biggest advantages in terms of load capacity are achieved when performing lifts over the corners of the tracks, especially with reduced track widths. The maximum track width of 5.8 m, a reduced width of 5.0 m and a narrow 3.5-m track width are available.

As with the other Liebherr LTR cranes, the LTR 1150 is also equipped with load charts for slopes up to a maximum of 4° – in gradations of 0.3°, 0.7°, 1.5°, 2.5° and 4°. Liebherr has calculated ‘WindSpeed Load Charts’ for the new LTR 1150, which make it possible to work safely and flexibly at higher permissible wind speeds of up to 15.6 m/s – even with the full load capacity in many boom positions.

Thanks to its high performance and excellent pick & carry characteristics, the LTR 1150 is ideal for auxiliary tasks in the assembly of wind turbines. It is capable of assembling crawler cranes up to the 1,000-t class and can move components weighing over 60 t. Wind turbine components such as nacelles and hubs are in a similar weight range. Besides unloading these parts from the transport vehicles, the LTR 1150 can drive them around the construction site without any load restrictions.

In addition, the LTR 1150 is suitable for other construction projects where many lifts need to be carried out in different places, for example in the construction of industrial buildings. With the short, powerful erection jib and the additional hoist gear, the crane can move loads of up to 34.6 t into the desired position. The range of working equipment for the 52-m telescopic boom also includes a hydraulically adjustable double folding jib and telescopic boom extensions that enable hoisting heights of up to 83 m.