Hydralift celebrates with Liebherr

Mobile crane company Hydralift Cranes in Australia has shared a joint celebration with Liebherr Australia. Hydralift took delivery of a new LTM 1200-5.1 all terrain at an informal barbeque for 70 guests at the new Liebherr Mobile Crane Service Centre in Melbourne.

The new 200 tonne Liebherr is the 12th crane in the fleet, which also includes an LTM 1030, LTM 1055, LTM 1060, and a LTM 1100. The expanding fleet also includes truck mounted hydraulic cranes, city class cranes and specialised mini crawler cranes.

Geoff Bevan, owner of Hydralift Cranes, told IC that his company specialises in supplying a diverse range of mobile cranes, equipment and associated staff for the general crane rental industry across Victoria. Bevan has added the 200 tonner to maintain variety in the fleet that continues to cater for the many different situations that the general crane hire industry demands.

In Hydralift's white and blue colours, the crane was delivered with the full complement of 72 tonnes of counterweight and 36 m of swingaway jib, including extensions. Added features for safe working at height included anchorage points on the top of the boom, foldable aluminium handrails around the winch area, mounting points on the boom tip for safe deployment of rigging ladders and fibre rope reeving systems.

Bevan explained that each new purchase his company makes is analysed for ways it will complement the existing fleet and add value for the wide range of clients. The latest addition is the fifth new Liebherr for Hydralift and uniformity in the all terrain fleet was a major consideration.

Product refinement, service and after sales back up were also influential in the purchasing decision, Bevan said. "While truck cranes still have a role to play in the Australian hire fleets, clients are more often expecting to use all terrain cranes and city class cranes due to their compact size, manoeuvrability and versatility."

The new crane extends the capability of Hydralift's 20 cranes and employees as it takes over from an LTM 1100/2 as the largest crane in the fleet as "part of the progression of the company to remain competitive in the market place" Bevan said.

The handover was at the new facility that will help Liebherr offer the level of service that influenced Hydralift's purchase. The new branch adds to existing facilities in Adelaide, Brisbane, Mackay, Newman, Perth, Singleton, Sydney and Townsville, combined with New Zealand service centres in Auckland and Christchurch. Liebherr Australia has 450 employees, 40 of them dedicated to mobile crane sales and service.

There are around 100 Liebherr mobile cranes in the region, representing 56.2% of the Victorian market share, said Mark Figel, Liebherr Mobile Cranes division director in Australia. There are about 420 Liebherr mobile cranes in Australia, representing a total market share of 44.1%.

Figel noted that Liebherr is presently negotiating a land purchase of 25,000 square metres for a new facility in Sydney and that other expansion plans were being considered across the region.