Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 & LTM 1750-9.1 All-Terrain Cranes Swap Out Wind Turbine Blades In Spain
Two Liebherr all-terrain cranes, a nine-axle LTM 1750-9.1 and an eight-axle LTM 1650-8.1, recently replaced three rotor blades on a wind turbine in the mountains of Navarra, Spain. Crane and transport contractor Grúas Ibarrondo added the LTM 1650-8.1, the first in Spain, to the 41 Liebherr models in its 66-crane fleet serviced by Liebherr Ibérica. The wind turbine work took place at the National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER’s) Alaiz Experimental Wind Farm in Navarra.
“The products developed and manufactured with the Liebherr brand deliver premium technology and quality and guarantee us having a reliable partner at our side in the long term,” says Grúas Ibarrondo General Manager Mikel Ibarrondo.
Switching Blades
Grúas Ibarrondo’s job was to outfit an SG 4.X wind turbine with longer, lighter rotor blades. The new blades were 71.5 metres (234.5 feet) in length and weighed 22.5 tonnes (24.8 U.S. tons) each. The previous blades were 64.5 m (211.6 ft) long and weighed 24 t (26.5 U.S. t). The cranes worked in tandem using a hook height of 130 m (426.5 ft).
“Liebherr mobile cranes are ideal for wind energy projects of this type, as they are manoeuvrable and easy to position,” Ibarrondo says. “They also deliver the required height and lifting capacity,” which was a primary concern before the project began.
The Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1
The nine-axle LTM 1750-9.1 comes in a 750-t (827-U.S.-t) version or with an 800-t (900-U.S. t) lifting capacity upgrade. Its telescopic boom can operate at lengths of 16.3 to 52 m (53 to 171 ft). The crane has a maximum hoist height of 152 m (499 ft) and a radius of up to 116 m (380 ft) with a lattice jib.
Liebherr provides the LTM 1750-9.1 with different lifting capacity tables for various wind speeds, which makes the high-capacity, high-reach crane even more useful on wind power jobs. The unit can use Y-guying to increase its lift capacity as well as Liebherr’s VarioBallast hydraulic slewing ballast platform, which allows the crane to lift more with less counterweight.
The LTM 1750-9.1’s drive engine is a 686-horsepower (505-kilowatt) eight-cylinder Liebherr diesel. Its crane engine—also a Liebherr—is a six-cylinder with 408 HP (300 kW). The all-terrain crane can travel at speeds of up to 85 km/h (53 mph).
Liebherr’s LTM 1650-8.1
The LTM 1650-8.1 is the successor to the popular LTM 1500-8.1, which Liebherr says is the best-selling large crane ever. It can lift 700 t (770 U.S. t), delivering 15 to 50% more lifting capacity than its predecessor, according to the manufacturer. In fact, Liebherr also says the eight-axle LTM 1650-8.1’s lifting capability rivals the nine-axle Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 in certain areas of its load table.
The LTM 1650-8.1 supports two telescoping boom options. One has a maximum length of 54 m (177 ft), and the other extends out to 80 m (263 ft). The crane features a maximum hoist height of 152 m (499 ft) and a radius of up to 112 m (370 ft).
Unlike the LTM 1750-9.1, the crane employs a single 686-HP eight-cylinder diesel engine to power both its superstructure and carrier. The LTM 1650-8.1 can also reach 85 km/h on its way to a jobsite.
Find The Right Liebherr
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Source: Liebherr