Liebherr has launched its 300-tonne mobile crane LTM 1300-6.2 – a six-axle crane featuring a 78m telescopic boom, which the company boasts is the most powerful 300-tonner available on the mobile crane market, at Bauma China 2018.
On the one hand it is designed as a simple folding jib crane, whilst on the other it is the smallest luffing jib crane on the market, providing crane operators with a low-cost entry point into the luffing jib crane class. The innovative Liebherr single-engine drive is used in the LTM 1300-6.2.
Outstanding load capacity and a long boom system
Its particular high-load capacity with its telescopic boom extended means that the LTM 1300-6.2 is ideal for erecting tower cranes. In addition to its 78m telescopic boom, a whole range of lattice jib systems is available, which can equip the new crane for a wide range of applications.
The 12.5m-21m double folding jib can be extended by two additional 7m sections to a total of 35m. The folding jib can be erected at an angle of 0°, 20° and 40°, or as an option, can be adjusted hydraulically between 0° and 40° whilst fully loaded.
The 5.5m foot section of the folding jib can be used as a heavyweight erection jib and can provide a considerable load capacity of 58t.
Can be readied for use quickly with user-friendly setup functions
Liebherr has designed the new six-axle mobile crane on the one hand as a classic folding jib crane so that it can be used with the same speed and flexibility as a five-axle model by crane operators.
On the other hand, the LTM 1300-6.2 is the only 300-tonner on the market and is therefore the smallest crane on the market with a luffing lattice jib. For crane companies that want to extend their range of offerings with a luffing jib crane, the new six-axle model is ideal for taking a first step into the luffing jib class.
The luffing lattice jib can be erected in steps of 3.5m up to a height of 70m. The 14m-42m fixed jib also has modules of 3.5m, which helps to improve its load capacity.
All the setup functions such as ballasting and lattice jib erection are designed to be particularly user-friendly. The fixed jib can also be erected on its own – in other words, without an auxiliary crane.
Innovative single-engine concept
A completely new concept for the superstructure drive unit has been used on the LTM 1300-6.2. Instead of the twin-engine concept normally used on cranes in this class, the 300-tonner is powered by a single engine with a mechanical shaft. Gear shafts are routed from the distributor gear in the substructure via two mitre gears through the centre of the slewing ring to the pump distributor gear in the superstructure.
A mechanical shaft ensures a particularly high efficiency level and low engine speeds in the chassis engine provide sufficient power for crane work. This ensures the economy of the new concept in terms of fuel consumption.
The simplified engine concept puts Liebherr in an ideal position for modifying its diesel engines to meet the statutory emissions in the amount of maintenance work and a reduction in weight. The omitted weight can be used for load-bearing components, thus increasing the crane’s load capacity.
Time-tested, power drive train
An eight-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine which develops 450kW/612bhp at 1,900rpm and torque of 2,856Nm at 1,500rpm provides the LTM 1300-6.2 with all the power it needs. The power is transferred to the crane axles via the 12-speed ZF-TC-Tronic gearbox. The torque converter has been installed for starting and accurate manoeuvring. The intarder, a zero-wear hydrodynamic brake integrated in the gearbox acts as a retarder.
In addition, a Telma eddy current brake is available as an option. Like almost all LTM mobile cranes, the LTM 1300-6.2 is fitted with pneumatic disc brakes, which Liebherr was the first manufacturer to introduce for mobile cranes some years ago.
Compared to drum brakes, not only do disc brakes provide better braking performance, but are also more economical since the brake pads can be replaced more quickly and easily, and they also offer a longer service life.
The four rear axles on the six-axle chassis of the new 300-tonner have active electro-hydraulic steering depending on the vehicle speed. This increases the manoeuvrability of the vehicle and drastically reduces tyres wear. At crab steering speed all six axles are steered, which means that there is no need to raise any axles.
Convenient Liebherr controller
The LTM 1300-6.2 features the Liebherr LICCON2 crane controller, which has now become established in a number of Liebherr mobile cranes. An add-on program has been developed for the new crane drive concept with just one engine and a mechanical shaft to allow the machine to be run with low-fuel consumption.
This enables the complete pump drive to be automatically disconnected when the engine is idling and then reconnected by the intelligent controller in a matter of seconds when it is required.
A mobile, multi-functional control and display unit, the BTT Bluetooth terminal – is provided for setup functions. Using this, the crane can be jacked easily and safely. The crane driver also has the option of attaching and removing the hook block on the crane bumper with visual contact by controlling the hoist winch and the luffing cylinder of the telescopic boom remotely via the Bluetooth connection.
The BTT is also used for other setup functions such as ballast assembly and for mounting the folding jib and the second hoist winch on the new LTM 1300-6.2.