Liebherr unveiled the new 300-tonne LTM 1300-6.2 at the Bauma 2013, featuring a brand new power concept to operate the superstructure. Instead of the twin-engine concept normally used on cranes in this class this crane is powered by a single engine with a mechanical shaft. Gear shafts are routed from the distributor gear in the substructure via two mitre gears through the centre of the slewing ring to the pump distributor gear in the superstructure. Several dozen models of this new crane have since proven their worth on sites around the world.
The LTM 1300-6.2 with the Liebherr single-engine concept won the ESTA Award of Excellence in the Innovation Category in April 2015 in Paris. The innovative concept was assessed on the basis of multiple factors – the mechanical shaft achieves high efficiency, the weight reduction enables the load capacity of the crane to be increased, the maintenance requirement is reduced and ECOmode minimises fuel consumption. The jury described Liebherr's single-engine solution as a simple, coherent concept which will establish itself as a new standard on mobile cranes.
Operators of the LTM 1300-6.2 have delivered a very positive assessment of the new crane. Uwe Langer from RIGA MAINZ GmbH & Co. KG is full of praise. "We are very satisfied with the LTM 1300-6.2. In technical terms the crane delivers very good handling, high flexibility, outstanding load capacities and short set-up times due to very simple ballasting among other things."
Jörg Holtappels, Managing Director of Baumann Schwertransporte und Autokrane, says, "We are delighted with the new LTM 1300-6.2. The machine is very easy to handle and simple to set up. We noticed the low fuel consumption as soon as we picked up the crane to drive it here. We haven't missed a separate engine for the superstructure because even when the crane is operating, the fuel consumption is comparatively low." Uwe Langer confirms the efficiency of the crane superstructure. "The fuel consumption is identical to a twin-engine crane. Recently we have a site where normally a twin-engine crane would be a benefit. But once again the fuel consumption was no higher. The ECOmode works perfectly. The crane driver does not even notice the coupling and decoupling processes."
Amados Salces, owner of French crane contractor Locagrues and his dispatcher Alexis Sacquet are also delighted with the new crane. "The fuel consumption is surprisingly low. It uses even less than our 220-tonne machine with twin engines. The crane superstructure on the new LTM 1300-6.2 operates very sensitively and precisely. The engine is well damped, very pleasant."
Crane contractor Gräser-Eschbach has used the LTM 1300-6.2 frequently to erect tower cranes. Frank Eschbach says "We keep the crane very busy. We erect lots of construction cranes, primarily using just the 78 m telescopic boom. No other crane comes close to matching its performance." Crane driver Peter Schneider praises ECOmode. "Handling with ECOmode works perfectly. It's a brilliant feature. The crane is fantastic to drive. It's a really top machine."
The positive feedback from the customers confirms Liebherr's decision not to fit a separate superstructure engine was the right one. The second crane to feature the Liebherr single-engine concept is the 5-axle LTM 1160-5.2 which was unveiled at the Conexpo in Las Vegas in 2014. This year Liebherr has presented this new crane to the European public at the Intermat in Paris.