Northwest Crane's Liebherr LR 1600/2

Proudly standing in front of his new Liebherr LR 1600/2, Andy Hodges of Northwest Cranes recalled ordering the crane a year ago at the Bauma exposition. The fully rigged 672 ton (600 metric ton) capacity crawler was testament to the weeks of preparation that went into preparing for the show. The LR 1600/2 can achieve maximum load with a 157.5 foot (48 meter) main boom and derrick system, at a 32.80 foot (10 meter) working radius. The dimensions and weights of the individual components are such that the new LR 1600/2 was designed to be moved economically, Hodges said. The 82 ton (74 metric ton) basic machine – comprising crawler center section, slewing platform and A-frame – is 3.2 meters tall, so it can be carried on a 3.28 foot (1 meter) semi low-loader. Each crawler carrier, with 6.56 feet (2 meter) wide track pads, weighs less than 44.8 tons (40 metric tons) and can be transported on a 4-axle semi low-loader. Hodges said the crane will be transported back to Houston for further testing before his company officially takes ownership a few weeks later.