Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane dismantles port crane

Port-La-Nouvelle, the third largest French port on the Mediterranean, is located between Narbonne and Perpignan and is particularly important for handling wheat, fertiliser, coal and oil. After three modern Liebherr mobile port cranes, one LHM 280 and two LHM 420 models, took over the handling of bulk and general cargo, an ageing double jib crane over 30 m in height was rendered obsolete. It took two weeks to dismantle in February 2023.

The port authority commissioned French crane rental contractor Foselev SA with the task. This nationwide rental company employs over 2,500 people and operates a fleet of 920 vehicles, including a large number of Liebherr mobile cranes. Its Foselev Sud Ouest outlet based in Port-La-Nouvelle coordinated the operation.

The company's most powerful telescopic crane was selected for the complex job, an LTM 1650-8.1. The crane was perfect for dismantling the crane components in its T5Y configuration. With an 80 metre telescopic boom and Y-guying, the Liebherr 8-axle crane demonstrated all its strengths during this difficult job. The heaviest single component, the counterweight of the double jib crane, weighed 122 tonnes. The job was completed on schedule at the end of February 2023 to the satisfaction of the port authority.

Thierry Volatier from the relevant Foselev outlet, which coordinated the crane job, commented: "To achieve the low support pressure of 6 t/sq m required by the port authority, we had to reduce the surface pressure, so a 21 sq m support plate was placed under each of the four outriggers of the LTM 1650-8.1. The strong wind (Tra Montagne) was a challenge with speeds reaching up to 100 km/h. Although the Liebherr crane is designed and approved to operate in higher wind speeds, we suspended work for a few days for safety reasons."

The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane delivers top lifting capacities on eight axles with telescopic boom lengths of 54 or optionally 80 metres. With lattice extensions, it can achieve lifting heights of up to 152 metres and radii of up to 112 metres.