Northwest Crane puts new Liebherr to work

Northwest Crane Service has been putting its latest fleet addition – a 750-tonne telescopic Liebherr crane – to work with the new unit completing its first projects since delivery at the end of 2013.

The Oklahoma lifting specialist took delivery of its new flagship at the end of December – the first LTM 1750-9.1 in North America. Since then, the LTM 1750-09.1 has carried out several wind turbine maintenance projects, with more scheduled.

“This machine has the capability to complete projects that previously would have required a crawler crane. Crawler cranes are still an important part of our fleet, but to have a telescopic crane on rubber tires with such lifting capabilities adds a whole new aspect to what we can offer our customers,” said Northwest Crane Service’s owner, Andy Hodges.

He added: “It enables us to mobilize more quickly and carry out lifting projects more efficiently than ever before. For short-term, in-and-out, heavy lifting projects, this is a great solution.”

The main boom of the LTM 1750-9.1 extends to 171 ft (52 m). With jib extensions and the telescopic boom Y-guying system, it provides a maximum lifting height of 505 ft (154 m).

It is mounted on a nine-axle carrier (18x8x18) powered by an eight-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine rated at 677 HP (505 kW). It can travel at speeds of up to 50 mph.