News | 07/04/2025
Joachim Kern answers at Bauma three questions about the first fully electric duty cycle crawler crane HS 8100.2 dual power
Joachim Kern has been with Liebherr for nearly 20 years and currently works as product manager for duty cycle crawler cranes at Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH. He appreciates both the design and development opportunities in his work, as well as the positive work environment. He finds the diverse applications of Liebherr machines worldwide particularly fascinating. This year, he will be attending Bauma for the sixth time and can be found at the exhibit of the HS 8100.2 dual power.
The HS 8100.2 dual power is Liebherr's first fully electric duty cycle crawler crane in the 100-tonne class and sets new standards in the construction machine industry. At Bauma, it is one of the many highlight exhibits. We asked Joachim Kern three exciting questions about this innovative duty cycle crawler crane.
How should one envision the drive concept of the HS 8100.2 dual power?
The all-electric concept of the HS 8100.2 dual power offers flexible drive variants and application options for customers. The centrepiece of the machine is an integrated battery with which the entire drive system runs. The battery can be charged in different ways. With a power input of 125 A, the duty cycle crawler crane is operated entirely via the jobsite electricity supply. With 32 A or 64 A, part of the required energy comes from the mains supply, while the rest is delivered by an optional diesel generator that is completely integrated in the machine and does not require any extra space. The product name “dual power” derives from this drive concept. If no charging infrastructure is available on the jobsite, the drive is powered entirely by the diesel generator. Thanks to the battery, the duty cycle crawler crane can also be autonomously assembled or disassembled, or travel over a distance of around 400 metres.
What advantages does the dual drive concept of the HS 8100.2 dual power offer compared to conventional duty cycle crawler cranes?
The dual drive concept allows for flexible adaptation to the conditions on the construction site. Depending on the availability of electricity, the duty cycle crawler crane can be operated either fully electrically or with the support of a diesel generator. Thanks to its fully electric drive system, the HS 8100.2 dual power operates emission-free and quietly. This makes it particularly suitable for use in noise-sensitive and urban areas, where environmental protection and safety are top priorities. Another innovative detail is energy recovery. The duty cycle crawler crane utilises electric free-fall winches that recover energy when lowering and recharge the battery. This technology, combined with the fully electric drive concept, enables a reduction in power requirement of up to 30 % compared to conventional models, making the HS 8100.2 dual power a particularly efficient and economical machine on the construction site.
What applications does the HS 8100.2 offer and how does the operation compare with the HS series?
The HS 8100.2 dual power is a powerful all-rounder that can be used in a variety of applications, whether for deep foundation work with mechanical grabs, for material handling with dragline bucket or for lifting up to 100 tonnes. The electric free-fall winches with a line pull of 300 kN each provide the necessary power on the construction site. The control of the HS 8100.2 dual power remains consistent with the entire HS series, allowing operators to easily transition to the new machine without having to adapt to a new control system.
Contacts
Gregor Grießer
Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH
6710 Nenzing
Austria