Friday round up: hybrid crane launch, green tech trends, wind market growth

Monday’s unveiling of a new hybrid all terrain crane is another step towards gradually turning the electric dream into reality. As one of several manufacturers taking strides in this direction, the Crane & Transport Briefing looks at Liebherr’s new 150 tonne capacity wheeled mobile telescopic crane with hybrid electric and combustion engine drive.

Faymonville’s Cometto Eco500 modular transporter. (Photo: Faymonville)

The five axle LTM 1150-5.4E will likely mostly travel between jobsites using its diesel engine and then switch to the electric drive for crane operation and manoeuvring on site. It builds on the concept of the LTC 1050-3.1E announced in April 2022 in that it carries a battery onboard to allow untethered movement. It can be plugged in via a cable to the electricity grid on site to charge the battery and give full power crane operation.

Read more about the new Liebherr crane with electric and diesel power.

Tuesday brought you the latest news and moves from across the crane and specialized transport sector with our Crane and Transport Briefing Extra newsletter. The top story this week offered a full run down for all things crane and transport at Bauma 2025.

Sustainability is transforming crane operations, with electric and hybrid machines, smarter material handling, and digital planning reshaping job sites. But how close is the industry to fully green construction? We discuss this in Wednesday’s CTB.

At Bauma 2025, Liebherr is debuting its battery-electric 300 tonne capacity LR 1300 SX crawler crane, while Fassi is pioneering “fossil-free” steel. Major players like Tadano, Mammoet, and Sarens are pushing boundaries with electric rough terrain cranes, hydrogen-powered solutions, and zero-emission lifting. Yet, challenges still remain. Costs, infrastructure, and supply chain sustainability all play a role. Are we finally ready for the shift?

Read more about the role of technology in reducing the environmental impact on sites.

The wind energy market in the United States is not just growing, it’s thriving. According to the American Clean Power Association’s Snapshot of Clean Power 2024, the country added a record-shattering 49 GW of clean energy capacity last year, with wind playing a major role. Today, more than 73,000 wind turbines are producing 153 GW of power, making wind the fourth-largest source of electricity generation capacity in the U.S. That’s enough to power more than 46 million homes.

As the demand for clean energy climbs, Buckner HeavyLift Cranes has been at the forefront of turbine installation. With projects stretching from the East Coast to Hawaii and deep into Canada, Buckner’s team of wind experts is navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with this fast-evolving sector. In Wednesday’s CTB, Buckner’s Brian Miller and Jay Breitbach share insights on rising hub heights, equipment trends, and how cranes like the Liebherr LR11000 are meeting the demand for taller, more complex wind installations.

Read more about what the future holds for wind power in North America and beyond.