Liebherr Unveils Powerful 5-Axle Mobile Crane at its Customer Days

Liebherr's new 250-tonne mobile crane was revealed to visitors from all over the world at its 2015 customer days at the manufacturing plant in Ehingen, Germany. According to the company, the LTM 1250-5.1 is now the most powerful mobile crane on 5 axles on the market. It is the third crane model on which Liebherr uses its innovative single-engine concept, and the engine meets the Stage IV / Tier 4 Final emissions regulations. In addition to a multi-functional folding jib, a 50m fixed jib is also available. The Liebherr innovations VarioBase and ECOmode mean that crane operators can use the new LTM 1250-5.1 with even more safety and efficiency.

Powerful, variable boom system

The LTM 1250-5.1 is the successor to the global success model LTM 1220-5.2. In the development of the new crane Liebherr followed the concept of achieving maximum load capacity from the available weight of a 5-axle mobile crane. The result is that the LTM 1250-5.1 is now the most powerful crane in its class in the world. Its load capacity has been increased compared to its predecessor by around 15% - 20% whilst the telescopic boom has remained at the same length of 60 m. With lattice extensions the maximum hook height has been increased by a massive 9 m to 110 m.

Liebherr has a particularly wide and variable range of lattice jibs for the new LTM 1250-5.1. The 12.2m to 22m folding jib can be extended up to 36 m with 7-metre sections. The folding jib is attached with a 0°, 22.5° or 45° inclination. As an option the folding jib can be supplied with a hydraulic adjustment system, which allows it to luff with a full load between 0° and 45°. The adapter section for the folding jib is used as a 5.4 m erection jib. The pivot point for the folding jib can be raised using up to two straight 7 m lattice sections acting as telescopic boom extensions. These sections and the folding jib extensions can also be used on the Liebherr LTM 1200-5.1 and LTM 1220-5.2 mobile cranes. This is a major benefit for crane operators that use these crane models in their fleet.

One feature that has been unusual in the 5-axle class to date is the possibility to mount a long fixed jib which, for example can achieve enormous radii over buildings. Liebherr has created a particularly smart solution for this. It is now possible to achieve a fixed jib of up to 50 m in length with just one additional TF adapter (connection between the telescopic boom and the fixed jib), a reducer section and a head. The existing telescopic boom extensions and folding jib extensions are used for this purpose. This jib is generally hydraulically adjustable between 0° and 45° and can therefore be used like a luffing jib.

The maximum ballast on the new LTM 1250-5.1 is 88 t with a maximum width of 6.3 m. The base plate weighing 1 t and a 10-t ballast plate are the same width as the vehicle. With up to 68 tonnes of ballast the ballast width is 4.1 m.

VarioBallast is a new feature for Liebherr. The LTM 1250-5.1 can be operated with two different ballast radii: 5.58 m or 4.78 m. Liebherr has designed a solution to adjust the ballast radius particularly quickly and easily. The ballast radius is reduced by 800 mm using standard mechanically swivelling ballasting cylinders. This solution is a major benefit of the new 250-tonne model for use in constricted conditions.