Press releases | 08/28/2024

Good things come in threes: Audubon adds new LR 1700-1.0 to its fleet

Third Liebherr LR 1700-1.0 crawler crane delivered to US-based field services provider
Audubon relies on Liebherr’s reliability and innovative strength
LR 1700-1.0 combines economical transport with high performance

For the construction and maintenance of wind turbines, Audubon’s field services business has expanded its fleet with an additional LR 1700-1.0. The 700-tonne crane incorporates all the innovations added to Liebherr’s crawler crane range in recent years.

The American EPC, fabrication, and field services provider Audubon Engineering Company LLC, based in Houston (Texas), has ordered a third consecutive LR 1700-1.0 to support its crane solutions for energy and industrial clients. This brings the company’s fleet to a total of ten units – including an LTM 1750-9.1. “The LR 1700-1.0 stands out for our business because it can withstand the highest wind speeds and lift the heaviest components,” reports Travis Cusimano, Vice President of Audubon’s heavy lift business. Audubon uses its Liebherr cranes for the construction and maintenance of wind turbines and petrochemical and refinery facilities supporting the energy and chemical industries.

Enormous lifting capacities and robust crawler carriers

The new LR 1700-1.0 combines the economical transport offered by 600-tonne-class crawler cranes with the performance of lattice boom cranes in the 750-tonne class. It also features all the innovations of Liebherr’s crawler crane developments from the last few years. To minimize wear when moving the crawler travel gear, the steel structure of the crawler carriers was made particularly robust, and the track rollers were enlarged. The 4-way drive for the travel gear is standard. The derrick system features V-frame®, VarioTray® and the M-Wagon® modular ballast wagon. “When we’re on-site, the functionality and differentiating performance of our cranes is crucial. As excellent as our team’s capabilities are, they wouldn’t be possible without a powerful crane,” says Brandon Caddell, Audubon Director of Operations.

Reliability and innovation

“No matter what project we execute – our goal is always to perform safe, reliable, efficient construction and maintenance work while remaining flexible,” explains Caddell. “Therefore, reliability and customer service, as well as Liebherr’s reputation and innovative strength, were key purchasing criteria.” And Cusimano concludes: “We’re excited about the newest member of our crane fleet and can’t wait to deploy it to the field.”