Heavy Lift Crane - HLC
The Liebherr heavy lift crane series (HLC) was specially designed for the installation of offshore wind turbines and the installation and dismantling of offshore installations in the oil and gas industry.
Liebherr heavy lift crane
The new heavy lift crane series is the biggest offshore crane Liebherr has developed so far.
Heavy lift crane series - lifting height
Depending on the boom configuration and installation heights, the HLC series can reach lifting heights of 180 m above sea level. Compared to the world-famous Cologne Cathedral, the lifting height of the HLC series is 23 m higher.
HLC series - lifting capacity
The Heavy Lift Crane series has been developed for a maximum lifting capacity of 3.000 t (HLC 150000) to 5.000 t (HLC 295000). The currently largest HLC 295000 can lift up to 5,000 t at an outreach of more than 30 m. The crane would be able to lift 9 fully loaded A380 airplanes in one go.
Heavy lift crane series - maximum radius
Depending on the boom configuration, the HLC series has a maximum outreach of up to 160 m radius. Even a football field appears comparatively small against this crane.
HLC series
| Specifications | HLC series |
| Overturning moment (max.) | 295,000 tm |
| Main lift capacity (max.) | 5,000 t |
| Main jib length (max.) | 120 m |
| Lifting height (max.) | 180 m |
Unique Characteristic
The main feature of the HLC series is its compact design. For example, the HLC 295000 with an overturning moment of 295,000 tm is installed on a base column with only 16.8 m diameter. The crane thus requires little space on deck and offers the user more storage space for the plant components to be transported and lifted. Despite this small footprint the HLC 295000 is very "stable" and can lift a payload of 5,000 t at an outreach of more than 30 m. The HLC 295000 can be used for a wide range of applications. This combination of compact design, high load capacity with large outreach and low dead weight makes the HLC series unique.
Features
In order to achieve the greatest possible lifting height, the cranes used to erect wind turbines are usually installed on very high base columns. However, this increases the overall height of the ship including the crane. It is sometimes not possible to cross waters over which bridges lead, which in turn means that longer alternative routes have to be used.
To prevent this, the A-frame of the HLC series can be "folded" at the customer's request by means of an innovative mechanism. This reduces the overall height of the ship, including the crane, and allows it to pass under bridges. Transit times can thus be considerably reduced.
In order to move smaller loads as efficiently as possible, the HLC series can optionally be equipped with one or more trolley hoists. "Trolley hoists" are also used, for example, in construction cranes. In contrast, however, the "trolley track" of the HLC is guided along the bottom of the main boom. In addition to the crane function, the "Trolley hoist winches" can also be used as constant pull winches for load stabilisation. The hoisting rope of the "Trolley hoist" is attached to the hoisting load and can be moved upwards with the hoisting load due to the travel capability of the trolley. This guarantees an optimum rope take-off angle to the hoisting load, so that it is optimally calmed down.
The cranes of the HLC series can optionally be equipped with numerous tugger winches to prevent and calm a vibrating load. As a further option, the tugger winches can be supplied with fibre ropes instead of wire ropes. Fibre ropes are characterised by numerous advantages such as low dead weight, long service life and reduced maintenance. Fibre ropes also do not have to be greased, which means that the environment is less polluted.
The cranes of the HLC series are supplied with an extra-large two-room cabin and a "high-end control station", offering the crane operator maximum comfort and an ergonomically optimal working environment. In addition to the primary operator seat, a secondary operator seat can be installed in the cabin. Both seats are positioned next to each other in the front room of the cabin. While all main and auxiliary functions of the crane are operated from the primary operator seat, auxiliary functions (constant-pull winches, trolley hoists, sling hoists etc.) can optionally be assigned to the secondary operator seat. This has the advantage for complex lifts that a second driver assists the first driver by operating the auxiliary functions. In the entrance area of the cabin there is a refrigerator as well as an office with chair, desk and shelves.
Like all maritime machines from Liebherr, the HLC series is equipped with a self-developed control system (Litronic), which enables precise and safe operation of the crane. In addition to this primary control function, sophisticated software offers options for data recording, machine monitoring and machine diagnosis. The diagnosis are optionally available to the user in the form of "diagnostic reports".
The HLC series can be used for assembly, maintenance and disassembly of next generation offshore wind turbines. It can also be used for the assembly and disassembly of offshore plants in the oil and gas industry.
