Liebherr 450-tonne crane made a great impression at its first job at "Vier Berge" Wind Farm

Quickly ready for action on site with its 85 metre telescopic boom

Sommer Kranverleih GmbH based in Bremen has taken delivery of a new Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 mobile crane. For its first job, the new crane was driven straight from the manufacturing plant in Ehingen to the “Vier Berge” Wind Farm in Saxony-Anhalt. Once there, it installed cables for bracing concrete towers at a hook height of 100 metres.

The task was completed in just two days after which the new 450-tonne crane set off to tackle its next job. Managing Director Björn Sommer explained: “Its 85 metre telescopic boom enabled us to set up the LTM 1450-8.1 quickly and easily. My people at the site were delighted and reported that they required very little equipment to carry out the work.”

This allowed the LTM 1450-8.1 to display all its strength as a fast-erecting crane. With a 21 metre fixed boom attached to the telescopic boom, which had been extended to a length of 79.5 metres, the crane was able to complete the work using just 34 tonnes of ballast – hoisting a load of seven tonnes to a hook height of 100 metres with a radius of 24 metres. “VarioBase enabled us to increase the lifting capacity by around 15 percent for this load case”, remarked Björn Sommer.

An LTM 1070-4.2 and an LTM 1500-8.1 from Sommer were also in action at the wind farm. “The oldest crane there was built in 2017. We believe in keeping our equipment up to date. The new LTM 1450-8.1 will be replacing a 400-tonne crane and will hopefully also take the strain off our LTM 1500-8.1”, said Sommer. This year, in addition to the LTM 1450-8.1, Sommer will also be taking delivery of an LTM 1090-4.2, LTM 1230-5.1, LTM 1160-5.2 and an LTM 1030-2.1.

The LTM 1450-8.1 is capable of travelling on public roads with a 12-tonne axle load including its 85 metre telescopic boom, all its outriggers and the complete hoist winch. This enables it to be prepared for use quickly once it reaches the site. For even greater flexibility and mobility, Sommer purchased the LTM 1450-8.1 with a completely removable telescopic boom and a feature enabling individual telescopic sections to be detached quickly. This enables the crane’s gross weight and axle loads can be reduced for travelling on public roads, for example to cross bridges with a weight limit and for driving at night. It also means that road permits are often issued more quickly.