Liebherr celebrates its 75 years at "Customer Days 2024"

Liebherr presented new products from the Ehingen-Berg plant to customers and partners.

The “Customer Days 2024”, for the first time, took place at the new Liebherr repair centre in Ehingen-Berg. Here, Liebherr has established themselves as a globally recognised industry event for mobile and crawler cranes. The event took place for the seventh time from 11 to 13 June. Liebherr has invited a total of 3,000 guests to Ehingen to see the latest innovations from the global market leader. 

A special highlight is the unveiling of a completely new 6-axle crane, the LTM 1400-6.1. Various technologies are demonstrated live and in person to guests in the Innovation Park. There is also an opportunity for visitors to get hands-on with various cranes: crane operators will get the chance to test the superstructure operation of machines equipped with the latest LICCON3 control system and drive mobile cranes via wireless remote control. An LTC 1050-3.1E with electric drive will also be available for test drives. The Customer Days will also include exciting crane demonstrations, an opportunity to visit the factory, as well as a varied supporting programme.

Liebherr has launched the world's most powerful 6-axle crane on the market: the new LTM 1400-6.1. The 400-tonner has a 70-metre telescopic boom and is characterised by clever yet simple set-up processes. The new crane is the successor to the proven and successful LTM 1350-6.1. Like its predecessor, the LTM 1400-6.1 is now the smallest crane with Y-guying, making it the perfect introduction to this boom technology with its enormous increase in lifting capacity. The new all-rounder is extremely flexible and economical thanks to a wide range of equipment, a highly functional modular boom kit and the familiar Liebherr technologies.

As with its predecessor, the total available ballast for the new LTM 1400-6.1 consists of 100 tonnes of basic ballast and 40 tonnes of additional ballast. The hydraulic ballasting device is integrated in the counterweight frame – ballast assembly is simple, quick and does not require an auxiliary crane. The VarioBallast® system is fundamentally different to the one found on the predecessor model. The 140 tonnes of total ballast can now be set to an enormous radius of 7.7 metres to achieve the maximum lifting capacity. In confined spaces, the ballast radius can be reduced to 5.6 metres. The counterweight plates are compatible with those found on other large Liebherr cranes – a major advantage for the crane operator in terms of both economy and logistics.

The variable VarioBase® supporting system ensures additional versatility. Here too, Liebherr engineers have come up with a new development: in addition to the option of flexibly using the predefined support positions with pinning options of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, the sliding beams can now also be freely extended between 0% and 50%. Until now, this was only possible on mobile cranes with up to five axles. Unlike its predecessor, the new 400-tonne crane is powered by the Liebherr single-engine concept and a mechanical drive for the superstructure, which results in better economy. An eight-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine with 455 kW / 619 h.p. and 3,067 Nm of torque ensures a powerful travel drive. Liebherr has developed different driving conditions to ensure worldwide, economical mobility. With an axle load of 12 tonnes, the LTM 1400-6.1 with telescopic boom and detachable hook block has an overall length of 17.8 metres. On the construction site, the 400-tonne machine can be driven with 10 tonnes of ballast, a three-line hook block and Y-guying with an axle load of less than 16.5 tonnes. Equipment can be removed for road journeys requiring lower axle loads.

In accordance with EU Regulation 2019/2144, driver assistance systems will ensure greater road safety in future. Accordingly, multiple information systems will also help drivers of Liebherr mobile cranes to navigate areas that are difficult to see, for example on the passenger side of the crane, as well as behind or directly in front of the vehicle. These systems are designed to significantly increase safety, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The new LTM 1300-6.4 and LTM 1400-6.1 cranes come equipped with these assistance systems as standard. These technologies will gradually be made available for all other mobile crane models in the Liebherr portfolio by mid-2026. 

One of the most important new features is Blind Spot Information System, whereby a camera monitors the entire side area of the crane. When the crane is turning, Blind Spot Information System warns the crane driver both visually and acoustically if there is a person or an obstacle in the lateral danger zone. The moving off information system also provides a visual and acoustic warning as soon as someone is in front of the crane. Due to the crane's design, the driver's view is somewhat restricted by the hook block and boom. Children are at particular risk since they are even less visible from the driver's seat due to their height. The moving off information system monitors the area in front of the crane to prevent accidents.

Following the consistently enthusiastic response from crane operators to the RemoteDrive wireless remote control on the Liebherr LTC 1050-3.1 compact crane, we will also equip the LTM 1100-5.3 and LTM 1110-5.2 mobile cranes with this option by the end of 2024. The RemoteDrive wireless remote control not only allows the superstructure to be operated – the crane can also be driven completely remotely via the wireless remote control. This is a big plus in cramped working conditions, as the crane driver can position him/herself directly at the narrowest point and manoeuvre the crane with a clear view of the obstruction. 

Liebherr also presented a new version of the Crane Finder. The simple tool for finding the right crane and the optimum configuration for a specific load case has been improved in many areas and now includes new integrated features. The Crane Finder is now also available as an app for smartphones and tablets. It offers greater user-friendliness and even more flexibility thanks to the mobile application.