Telescopic crawler crane demonstrates its capabilities during the modernization of a level crossing
Long-term partnership with Liebherr: shared values, trust and product quality convince customer
With the LTR 11200, Universal Cranes is adding a completely overhauled pre-used crane to its fleet. One of the telescopic crawler crane’s first jobs for the Australian crane hire company was during the modernization of a railway crossing in Brisbane, where it successfully installed bridge girders and thus mastered the challenges of a complex infrastructure project.
Ehingen (Donau), (Germany), 5 March 2025 – Universal Cranes is adding an LTR 11200 to its crane fleet to meet the growing demand for efficient equipment for short-term heavy lifting projects. We have realised that our customers need to lift ever larger and heavier loads on casual short-term hires and with ability to relocate on sites without derigging the crane. With the new, versatile crane, we can handle these applications in a wide range of sectors – from infrastructure to industrial projects,” says Mark Happer, General Manager at Universal Cranes. He particularly appreciates the strong telescopic boom and the variable boom options. Ben Smith, National Operations Manager at Universal Cranes, adds: “With the LTR 11200, we can move the crane fully equipped on construction sites with steep terrain. The pedestal mode also allows us to carry out jobs without having to take the crawlers to the construction site.
As an all-terrain model, the 1,200-tonne crane combines maximum lifting capacity with the longest telescopic boom in the world. With its 100-metre-long telescopic boom, Y-guying and quick-setup lattice extensions, the LTR 11200 was originally developed for erecting wind turbines. The setup times are significantly shorter than lattice boom cranes and comparatively low counterweights and space are required to erect the boom. Its different driving configurations enable this all-terrain crane to be transported at low cost all over the world. “Compared to other heavy-duty cranes, the crawler crane takes up less space for installation, as the telescopic boom requires less assembly space than a lattice boom crawler,” says Happer.
Successful deployment in infrastructure project
One of the 1,200-tonner's first assignments for Universal Cranes involved in the modernization of a railway crossing in Brisbane, where it installed bridge girders. Nine pre-cast concrete girders with a length of 35 meters and a weight of 76 tonnes had to be erected. The crane was equipped with a 28-meters-long main boom, a 36-meter-long luffing jib and 182 tonnes of ballast. “The operation was carried out on behalf of Bielby Hull Joint Venture. We provided our customer with comprehensive support in assembly and lifting planning to ensure seamless execution of the work. The complex project was carried out during ongoing railway operations and required months of careful preparation and close collaboration with the key stakeholders,” reports Patrick Silver, Projects and Heavy Lift Division Manager at Universal Cranes.
The bridge girders were stored on site prior to the installation date in order to minimize the risks during the operation due to the necessary rail closure. This meant that the lifts could be carried out without delay within the critical time window. “Our LTR 11200 was the ideal crane solution for this job: It is unrivaled in its load capacity class and can also be moved around the construction site. In this particular case, the area for the crane assembly was very limited, but thanks to its crawlers, the 1,200-tonne crane could be put into operation in an adjacent yard – far away from the rail corridor and the carriageway,” says Silver. In the end, the operation was successfully completed after two days as planned.
Long-term partnership, trust and product quality
Universal Cranes has a total of 278 cranes in its fleets in Australia, New Zealand and Guam. 47 of them are from Liebherr. “We have always received excellent service and support from Liebherr. Our long-term relationships are based on shared values and trust. This encouraged us to buy an overhauled LTR 11200 from Ehingen – because we knew that Liebherr pre-used cranes are reconditioned with great care and therefore stand for the same high quality that we are used to from new cranes,” says Ben Smith happily. The National Operations Manager of Universal Cranes saw for himself during the reconditioning process on site in Ehingen: “We were impressed by the factory and the experienced staff – I had the impression that the team, from the project manager to the technician, put their heart and soul into their work.”
About Universal Cranes Australia
Universal Cranes Australia (part of the Smithbridge Group) is a leading provider of crane hire and heavy lifting solutions, operating across a range of industries including construction, infrastructure, mining and energy. The company, which celebrated its 60-year anniversary last year, offers a versatile fleet of cranes ranging from small mobile cranes to high-capacity heavy-duty cranes, including the latest innovative models. Universal Cranes is renowned for its expertise in technical solutions, safety standards and customized services to meet complex project requirements efficiently and effectively. The Smithbridge Group employs a total of over 700 people in Australia, New Zealand and Guam.
About Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH is a leading manufacturer of mobile and crawler cranes. Its range of mobile cranes extends from 2-axle 35 tonne cranes to heavy duty cranes with a lifting capacity of 1200 tonnes and a 9-axle chassis. Its lattice boom cranes on mobile or crawler travel gear deliver lifting capacities of up to 3000 tonnes. With universal boom systems and extensive additional equipment, they can be seen in action on construction sites throughout the world. The Ehingen site has a workforce of 5,000. An extensive, global service network guarantees the high availability of Liebherr mobile and crawler cranes. In 2023, the Liebherr plant in Ehingen recorded a turnover of 2.81 billion euros.
About the Liebherr Group – 75 years of moving forward
The Liebherr Group is a family-run technology company with a highly diversified product programme. The company is one of the largest construction equipment manufacturers in the world. It also provides high-quality, user-oriented products and services in a wide range of other areas. The Liebherr Group includes over 150 companies across all continents. In 2023, it employed more than 50,000 staff and achieved combined revenues of over 14 billion euros. Liebherr was founded by Hans Liebherr in 1949 in the southern German town of Kirchdorf an der Iller. Since then, the employees have been pursuing the goal of achieving continuous technological innovation, and bringing industry-leading solutions to its customers. Under the slogan ‘75 years of moving forward’, the Group celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024.
Contact
Berenike Nordmann
Marketing and Communication
Phone: +49 7391 / 502-0
E-mail: berenike.nordmann@liebherr.com
Published by
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
Ehingen (Donau), Germany
www.liebherr.com
