Liebherr launches straddle carrier

- Liebherr Ireland has rolled out its first production straddle carrier, signaling the crane maker’s entry into the market.

The one-over-three diesel electric vehicle has single and twin-lift capacity of 40.6 tonnes and 50 tonnes respectively under the spreader, which has full side-to-side shift of +/- 290 mm and a seven degree maximum skew.

With a working full-load lift speed of 18m/min and 26m/min with empties, the vehicle has a top driving speed of 25kph. It is powered by a Volvo-Penta Stage IIIA compliant T8012 engine, producing a continuous power output of 375 Kw from the gen-set.

To avoid the need to have lines on the legs and pumps up high, Liebherr has located the electric motors and tanks operating all hydraulics for the travel drive on each sill beams, giving faster response time, performance and ease of maintenance. As a result, the driver’s cab uses drive-by wire technology for steering and braking.

The Killarney plant developed its first proto-type three years ago, which has since undergone extensive field testing at Belfast Container Terminal (BCT). This was followed by a second and subsequently a third unit, produced last year, each incorporating modifications identified during test operations. All three test models are still fully operational at BCT.

(Source: Container Management)