Liebherr is a ‘quay’ supplier to ports operator

Liebherr equipment is keeping things moving for a port operator handling more than 30 million tonnes of cargo...

Forth Ports Group recently invested in several of the German manufacturer’s specialist material handlers to keep pace with its expansion programme at three of the UK’s most important cargo facilities.

Operations at Tilbury in London were boosted with delivery of the largest model in Liebherr’s line-up – the 160t LH 150 M HR – while Dundee and Grangemouth, Scotland’s largest port, each added a LH 110 M.

Grangemouth turns around nine million tonnes of cargo each year through specialist container, liquid and general cargo terminals. The latest recruit to the plant fleet – supplied to the same specification as that operating at Dundee – has a heavy-duty wheeled undercarriage allowing rapid relocation along the huge quay wall while four large outriggers equipped with removeable 1.9m x 5.9m pads further spread the machine’s weight across the quayside.

Between the undercarriage and upper structure there’s a two-metre turret that elevates the entire upper structure to 4.2 metres from the ground and lifts the cab height to more than six metres, which can then be raised even further to almost ten metres by employing the hydraulic cab elevation. And that configuration keeps the material handler operator happy. ‘The cab is a big step up from our last machine. It’s comfortable, quiet and even at full height is very stable with minimal movement or bouncing. The controls are very smooth and accurate and there is so much power. The Liebherr can lift two packs of timber at full stretch with ease, increasing productivity and reducing vessel turnaround times.’

Power is from a Liebherr D946, six-cylinder diesel delivering 408hp, slightly higher than its predecessor, and as well as boosting productivity is giving the customer considerable savings in diesel costs (Liebherr’s fuel saving calculator uses consumption figures from machines across Europe and shows the LH 110 M using an average of just 19.85 litres per operating hour).  

The 14.5-metre curved boom is married to a 13.5-metre straight stick allowing a pin height of 28 metres, a horizontal reach of 27 metres and a depth of over 14 metres. An additional camera has been fitted to the lower portion of the stick giving the operator clear views of attachments at any point in the hold while Liebherr’s own quick pin release allows for safe and easy change-over of attachments, which at Grangemouth includes a 5m³ clamshell grab and a hook and a bag spreader.

Bought to become the port’s new frontline handler, the machine has impressed with its all-round abilities. ‘We are very pleased with the Liebherr’s ability and productivity,’ the Operations Manager commented. ‘It’s build quality is impressive and our operators like its power and comfort. The fuel savings and operational improvements we are gaining add to what we can achieve at the port.’

The customer

Forth Ports Group is responsible for eight ports in Scotland and England and employs more than 1,300 people.