WICK-based lifting and plant hire specialist Hugh Simpson Contractors Ltd has invested in a new LTM 1400-6.1 mobile crane.
Liebherr revealed that the arrival of the 400-tonne machine marks the first of its kind in Scotland. The six-axle model features a 70-metre telescopic boom and is the smallest crane in the manufacturer’s portfolio with the Y-Guying system, designed to increase both lifting capacity and lateral stability.
Hugh Simpson has specified the unit with an 80.5 metre luffing jib, delivering a hoist height of 120 metres and a working radius of 97 metres. This makes it suited to projects that require extended reach over structures.
Under UK STGO regulations, the LTM 1400-6.1 can carry on 16.5-tonne axle loads, its hook block, 10 tonnes of ballast, and the Y-Guying system.
With a single self-assembly lift, the crane positions the guying system onto the chassis, where it is then pinned in place. As the boom is luffed down between the two Y-frames, the hydraulic quick coupling closes automatically. A final movement completes the electrical connection, leaving the telescopic boom with Y-guying ready for operation ‘within minutes’.
Other features include variable VarioBase, which provides additional versatility in addition to the option of flexibly using the predefined support positions with pinning options of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The sliding beams can now also be freely extended between 0% and 50%. previously, this was only possible on mobile cranes with up to five axles.
David Simpson, operations director at Hugh Simpson Contractors, said, “We knew as soon as Liebherr announced the launch of a six-axle crane with Y-guying technology that it would be a great addition to our fleet. A lot of our work is focused on the unloading of wind turbine components from vessels, so having a compact crane with incredible duties is a massive benefit for quayside work where space is often restricted.
“Another benefit of the new 400 tonne crane is the interchangeable ballast with our LTM 1650-8.1. This feature has already brought a lot of advantages to our operations.”
