Liebherr - high-tensile fibre rope for tower cranes

HIGH-TENSILE FIBRE ROPE FOR TOWER CRANES

Fibre cranes: lightweight to increase lifting capacity

The best of all worlds

Fibre tower cranes from Liebherr deliver significantly easier handling of the hoist rope combined with higher lifting capacity.

Various types of ropes have been designed over a period of many years – from the simple hemp rope to thick steel ropes. Each of them has different features in terms of weight, lifting capacity and stability.

Liebherr has developed the fibre crane series featuring the soLITE® hoist rope, working with rope manufacturer Teufelberger. This is a revolutionary hoist rope, which combines all the best features of existing rope types

The main benefits at a glance

Fibre cranes have been specially developed for use with fibre ropes. Since the start of 2020, these cranes have been fixtures on sites in many different countries and their users have been profiting from these benefits.

20% higher lifting capacity

The hoist rope on fibre cranes has similar lifting capacity values to a steel rope with the same diameter. But the cranes deliver significantly higher capacity over the entire load diagram due to the weight reduction in the rope and hook block.

Durability

The soLITE® fibre rope also outscores steel ropes in terms of durability. Special high quality materials and the specific rope pattern mean that fibre ropes provide up to four times the service life.

Improved erection process

The new fibre rope is much easier to handle for service technicians. It is flexible and lightweight, which means that the rope can be changed and fitted more quickly and safely.

Safety

In terms of safety, the soLITE® is well ahead of all conventional rope types. The protective cover does not have a load-bearing function. It contains fibres which wear at different rates, exposing the red core after a period of use. This indicates quite clearly for all to see that the rope has reached the end of its service life.

Proven in action

Easy, clean handling

"The rope is really easy to handle. It is so light that we can install it without any equipment. What’s more, the catwalks are no longer a slippery because the rope does not have to be lubricated – and our clothes also stay clean.”

^{Jochen Braunger, Service Technician}

Unrivalled performance

Fibre cranes deliver a particularly good load diagram since the weight of the rope is always included in the load calculation. The reduction to one-fifth of the weight is the main reason behind the increase in the crane’s capacity by 8 % over the entire torque range and a maximum of up to 20 %. The low load from the rope itself goes straight into the calculation to increase the capacity of the crane. As components such as the hook block are also lighter, this adds to the increase in payload. You benefit from greater capacity without having to accept lower hook heights.

Simply lasts longer, much longer

The extensive test phase with the fibre rope showed that in practice it achieves 4 times the service life of a comparable steel rope – as long as it is used correctly. This means that a service life of up to ten years is definitely possible. In addition to purchasing the rope itself, this also reduces the labour costs for replacement.

13 times as many bending cycles

The number of possible bending cycles is a major key figure in determining the service life of a rope. In laboratory tests, the special structure of the fibre rope core achieved up to 13 times as many bending cycles as a steel rope. Which means it delivers a significantly longer service life.

Rope replacement

Service work on cranes costs time and money. Rope replacement work with the new fibre rope can be completed very quickly and with few personnel. The significantly lower rope weight simplifies its handling and means that no additional hoisting tools are required. This saves installation costs and reduces downtime.

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Extensive tests for the rope of the future

A reliable, safe alternative to steel ropes has been developed over many years of intensive research and development work. Made of raw materials which have already proven themselves in many different fields, the result is a high-tensile fibre rope which satisfies the high demands of modern sites.

The fibre rope has proven its worth over many hours of operation using thousands of metres of test rope. 87,000 hours and 85,000 metres of test material for the rope of the future. Fibre cranes became the products which they are today using the findings from the constant monitoring of the ropes and feedback from crane operators and service technicians.

Construction machinery and accessories are part of building sites as they have to prove their value on them over long periods of time. That is why the fibre cranes have been tested extensively in fields tests over a number of years. The result is a rope which enables you to meet the challenges of modern sites perfectly.

What makes a high-tensile fibre rope special?

Higher handling capacity

The modern control system used on fibre cranes achieves faster hoist times with a load by adjusting the speed to the reduced weight. This means that you can complete more load cycles on your site in the same time.

Lower energy consumption

But if the number of hoists does not increase, fibre cranes can also reduce energy use. Up to 5% of energy costs can be saved during operation

Good winding properties

A clean winding pattern, similar to a steel rope.

The fibre rope combines the best features of all existing rope types. You can therefore rely on it being wound into a familiar neat pattern.

Simple rope cleaning

The protective cover on the fibre rope significantly reduces the amount of cleaning work required. No polluting cleaning products are required.

Better protection from environmental effects

Cranes and their ropes are permanently exposed to a very wide range of environmental effects such as weather, dirt and various chemicals. The protection afforded by the special cover and coating helps to preserve the long service life of the fibre rope.

No lubrication

The low friction of the fibre rope means that it requires no lubrication. In turn, this means that not only does the crane stay cleaner, but so do the erection engineers and catwalks.

No rope pulley replacement

Whilst steel ropes cut into the rope pulleys during use, the pulleys on fibre cranes are protected as a result of the lower rope friction.

No wire fractures

Since both the core and also the cover are made of high-tensile plastic fibres, which are not as brittle as steel wires, nobody will be injured by broken wires.

Gives water no chance

The core of the high-tensile fibre rope is designed to make water ingress very difficult. Since the core of the rope is made of synthetic fibres which do not corrode, there is also no chance of corrosion from the inside remaining unnoticed.

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Rope replacement indicator

During the development of the fibre rope, special attention was given to ensuring that it was possible to identify when the rope needs replacement as easily as possible. The external cover of the rope does not have a load-bearing function. As the cover wears over time, the red signal layer beneath it appears. This can be seen from distance and shows clearly that it is time for the rope to be replaced.

Two wear levels as an example

Wear level 40%

The indicator fibres in the cover are clearly worn.

Wear level around 100%

Large sections of the rope core are clearly visible and are no longer protected. The rope is therefore no longer suitable for use.

High-strength fibre rope for tower cranes

Fibre Care - always on the safe side

A crane with a fibre rope will deliver reliable performance and outstanding handling for many years. We can provide the additional Fibre-Care guarantee to ensure you can rely on the crane operating correctly for this period without any concerns.

From just €50 per month, this gives you absolute security for 6 years. If an unforeseen problem occurs during this time, you will only have to pay what you would have paid for a steel rope in the same period. We will pay the rest and you will receive a refund when you buy a new fibre rope.

This enables you to combine the benefits of an innovation in crane technology with financial security.

The level of reimbursement when you buy a new fibre rope depends on the age of the rope, starting from the date of delivery of the fibre rope by Liebherr and is as follows:

Rope less than 2 years old: 75%
Rope between 2 and 4 years old: 50%
Rope between 4 and 6 years old: 25%

*Malice, action by third parties and forces majeures are not covered.

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Do you have any questions about Fibre Care?

Are you interested in our fibre cranes or would you like some personal advice about Fibre Care?

Please send us brief details of your concern and complete the following form.

A member of our team of executives will then contact you.