The new SX system has already been tested and is available now. It differs from previous boom systems by the fact that 3.5 metre wide lattice sections are used in the bottom area of the boom rather than sections measuring just 3 metres wide. The extended lattice sections increase the lateral stability of the boom and therefore deliver a higher load capacity. Furthermore, the weight of the lattice sections has been reduced. This means that the boom length can now be raised up to 165 metres comprising the main boom plus the fixed lattice jib.
An additional increase in lifting capacity is achieved by a particularly innovative extension to the SX system: instead of 3.5 metre wide lattice sections, two lattice sections each 14 metres in length (SX2 system) or three lattice sections each 14 metres in length (SX3 system) with a width of 6 metres are installed in the lowest area of the main boom. This provides additional rigidity to the boom system, thus increasing its load capacity.
The challenge for the development of the 6 metre wide lattice sections, however, was the question of how they could be transported economically on public roads. Liebherr created something completely new to solve this problem: the wide boom sections made up of two halves which can be bolted together in the centre and separated again very quickly. To transport them, the individual halves are slightly offset longitudinally and then joined so that they mesh together like teeth. This means that a practical transport width of 3.5 metres can be achieved.