Spence Crane Hire Takes Another Liebherr Mobile Crane

Spence Crane Hire of Newton Abbot, Devon, has taken delivery of a new 40 tonnes capacity Liebherr LTM 1040-2.1 mobile crane with top-of-the-range specifications, including cutting edge remote control and Bluetooth technology. Spence Crane Hire has been a loyal Liebherr mobile crane customer for many years and reaffirms its confidence in the marque with this latest addition to the company's modern mobile crane hire fleet.

The LTM 1040-2.1 is a two-axle machine (4x4x4 drive/steer), with excellent lifting capabilities right through the duties chart. Equipped with a four-section 35m main boom, this crane has a maximum under-hook-height of 34 metres with a 7.4 tonnes capacity and a 1.1 tonnes capacity at 31 metres working radius. Spence has taken the crane with a 9.5m folding fly-jib which can be offset by 0°, 20°, 40° and 60°, producing a maximum 44m under-hook-height and a working radius of 39m lifting 0.4 tonnes.

The Liebherr LTM 1040-2.1 is powered by a single engine developing 205kW and featuring the modern databus technique for the electronics. The carrier has ZF automatic transmission with 6 forward and two reverse gears. The hydropneumatic suspension guarantees smooth road travel and excellent all-terrain capabilities; the axles are hydraulically lockable. The carrier cab is typically comfortable and functional for road travel. Steering can be also carried out from the crane cab which, again, is a superb work station for the operator, with full instrumentation, multi-directional control levers and Liebherr's own state-of-the-art LICCON 2 safe load indicator system.

The LICCON 2 generation of Liebherr's mobile crane control systems takes operational efficiency, equipment performance and safety to new heights with even more innovative technological developments. A sophisticated yet user-friendly on-board computer system, LICCON 2 computing power and capacity have been optimized. Spence's LTM 1040-2.1 with this control system is equipped with a colour screen, touch-screen display below the joysticks and a mobile control and display BTT-Bluetooth terminal.

The colour data display on the LICCON 2 monitor in the crane cab enhances readability and clarity; indications, warning displays and crane utilization are easy to view. Below the joysticks, touch-screen displays are provided for comfortable and easy activation of the different operational functions. Amongst these are the carrier drive and steering programmes, the suspension system, setting up of the crane on outriggers, adjustment of the working floodlights as well as the cab's heating and climate control.

The BTT-Bluetooth function provides operators with a wireless remote control system for all superstructure operations, plus outrigger activation and positioning, engine start and stop function and engine speed, electronic inclination display and automatic leveling during set-up. As an optional extra, a facility to display outrigger ground pressures can also be provided if required. Using the new BTT-Bluetooth system, the crane operator can also attach and detach the hookblock from the front bumper by remotely controlling the hoist winch and the luffing ram on the telescopic boom - all under close view. Another user benefit is that, during road travel, the BTT-Bluetooth terminal can be plugged into the driving cockpit for the display of mileage and working hours information.

Commenting on his company's new acquisition, Julian Spence said "This is our tenth Liebherr and is equipped with the latest technology from Liebherr.  We believe that it is the first mobile crane based in the West Country to have the optional BTT-Bluetooth remote control unit, which allows us wireless control of all crane superstructure functions.  We are confident that this will make the set-up procedure safer and quicker and, if required, the operator can be close to the load to be lifted or placed."

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