Liebherr is taking the opportunity of the Bauma China 2008 to present its successful 160 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing jib crane with a horizontal load path. Liebherr’s luffing jib series includes a total of eight models with ratings from 125 mt to 540 mt. This type of crane is designed for working on tall buildings or in particularly confined spaces.

　　Luffing jib cranes are being used predominantly in Eastern Europe, the Near and Middle East, and in North and South America. Some projects of particular interest include the construction of the Federation Tower in Moscow (Russia), major projects in Dubai (UAE) where several of the cranes from the HC-L series are being used, and the construction of the Costanera Center in Santiago de Chile (Chile).

　　The luffing jib cranes of the HC-L series are a technically advanced solution for ambitious projects like those mentioned above. Their high-performance drive units ensure stepless and smooth handling performance on site. Even in case of extreme requirements and high hook heights, these efficient drive units are matched perfectly to the crane operation.

　　Many practical details like the horizontal load path, the electronic monitoring system EMS and the IC tower system greatly facilitate the operation of the luffing jib cranes.

　　160 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing jib crane

　　The most important parameters taken into account in the design of the 160 HC‑L 8/16 Litronic included the requirements for operations at great heights and on extremely restricted sites. This resulted, for example, in the extremely narrow slewing radius of just 7.0 m. The maximum load of the 160 HC‑L 8/16 Litronic is about 16,000 kg, and its maximum working radius is 55.0 m.

Liebherr’s luffing jib series includes a total of eight models with ratings from 125 mt to 540 mt.

　　The PLC programmable logic controller allows the 160 HC-L 8/16 Litronic to move the load with a horizontal load path, in much the same way as a top-slewing crane with a trolley jib. When the jib is moved, the control system automatically regulates the hoist gear in such a way that the load hook travels along a horizontal path, a major advantage especially with assembly and concreting work. In this situation, the crane driver always has the alternative of operating the crane with a conventional load path as well.

　　The 160 HC-L 8/16 Litronic luffing jib crane is provided exclusively with stepless FC drives. The standard equipment includes FC hoist gear, an FC luffing gear with secondary brake, and two FC slewing gear units, which ensure precisely accurate load handling. As an option, the 160 HC-L 8/16 Litronic can also be fitted with FC hoist gear and FC luffing gear with even more powerful motors. When in use on very tall buildings, there are also hoist gear systems for hook heights of up to 874 m available.

　　The high-performance drive units developed and manufactured at Liebherr’s competence centre for drive technology in Biberach (Germany) are matched perfectly to the crane operation and achieve highly efficient handling performance.

　　Thanks to the simple re-reeving of the load hook from one-line to two-line operation, rapid adaptation to different loads with optimum hoist speed is guaranteed. This in turn ensures very efficient handling capacities.

　　IC tower with compact external dimensions

　　For climbing in very confined lift shafts inside the building, the 160 HC‑L 8/16 Litronic luffing jib crane can be provided with the 256 IC and 355 IC tower systems. The compact external dimensions of 1.9 m x 1.9 m mean that this tower can fit into even very narrow lift shafts.

　　The 'Internal-Climbing' IC tower is designed for rapid climbing inside buildings. The entire hydraulic climbing system is located in the interior of the tower section, saving space and well protected at the same time. The internal climbing system was designed in such a way that the attachments can be dismantled easily, and that means a reduction in weight can be achieved without any great effort, something of particular importance when taking the crane down from tall buildings.

　　The IC tower system means that Liebherr luffing jib cranes being used in very high structures with small lift shafts can meet the most demanding performance requirements in concreting operations and the movement of formwork and shuttering elements.

　　Remote diagnosis via satellite

　　Luffing jib cranes from Liebherr are provided as standard with the electronic monitor system (EMS), including the work area limitation facility (ABB), the machine data acquisition resource (MDE), and load moment limited system (LMB). As well as this, the HC-L series also offers the possibility of worldwide teledialogue by way of the integrated data remote transfer arrangement (DFÜ). This system guarantees precise and rapid assistance in the event of any problems arising. The customer can be provided with precise and specific support directly from the individual service facilities to deal with the situation, so reducing downtimes due to possible difficulties to an absolute minimum.

　　For further information, please contact:

　　Hans-Martin Frech

　　Telephone: +49 7351 41-2330

　　Fax: +49 7351 41-2223

　　Email: Hans-Martin.Frech@liebherr.com

　　Internet: www.liebherr.com