New 440 HC-L luffing jib tower crane from Liebherr

The new 440 HC-L boasts multiple improvements over its predecessor, the 357 HC-L. Photo: Liebherr

Manufacturer Liebherr in Germany has released details of a new high capacity luffing jib tower crane with multiple improvements over the outgoing model.

As a replacement for the 357 HC-L the new 440 HC-L lifts more, takes up less space and uses new materials to save weight. It is better suited to ever faster construction site cycles, Liebherr said.

Two versions are available: the 24 tonne capacity 440 HC-L 12/24 and the 36 tonne 440 HC-L 18/36. The bigger model beats its 32 tonne predecessor by 4 tonnes.

Out of service radius is 10.7 metres and a minimum working radius of less than four metres can be achieved, the manufacturer said. It means set up can be closer to surrounding buildings, boundaries, or cranes, potentially enough to get another crane on site.

A first for this crane is the use of synthetic (aramid) fibre rope for the luffing pendant ropes. Its weight saving over using steel rope reduces dead load and immediately translates into extra lifting capacity.

More advantages

Another advantage of this new model is that time is saved on assembly because it only has one central electrical cabinet for the switchgear and the electronics are connected in a plug-and-play arrangement.

Factory pre-assembly before delivery helps minimise transport cost and speeds up unloading on site. Also helping with this is the counter jib ballast being one block. Transport for the slewing section with maximum jib (for a 65 metre radius) and counter weight is nine truck loads.

The 440 HC-L has a jib end capacity up by as much as 52 per cent over the 357 HC-L. The Load Plus feature increases capacity by 22 per cent. As an example, on a 50 metre jib, capacity at the tip increases from 7.5 to 9 tonnes.

Freestanding height has been increased to 76.4 metres, up 5.8 metres over the old model.

Liebherr 440 HC-L luffing jib tower crane is the first to use aramid fibre rope for the luffing pendants. Photo: Liebherr