19.11.2015

State of the art crane for Newport

UK based Associated British Ports (ABP) has purchased a new Liebherr LHM 180 mobile harbour crane for its Newport operation

The crane was transported in major component form from the Liebherr plant in Nenzing, Austria, through the Port of Hull, to Newport, South Wales, where it was assembled over a two week period by a team of engineers from Liebherr-Great Britain and Liebherr-Werk Nenzing.

The LHM 180, which has a maximum capacity of 64 tonnes and an outreach of up to 35 metres, will principally be used for the handling of bulk materials by means of a 24 cubic metre Verstegen mechanical grab. It is also equipped with a powered rotating hook to enable it to handle project cargo and containers.
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The Liebherr LHM180 at work with standard cargo

The grab is a particularly large for an LHM 180 but the crane will be the first in the UK to be fitted with Liebherr’s new SmartGrip bulk handling system, which enables considerably larger grabs to be fitted than was previously possible. This unique technology operates as an intelligent system that optimises grab filling rates in a self-learning manner in order to boost efficiency and avoid overloads. See Liebherr introduces a smart grab system- 2014-

Other technology built into this state of the art crane includes: the Liebherr Cycoptronic anti-sway system, which automatically removes sway from the crane’s ropes. Liebherr’s Teach-In, a semi-automatic operating system that allows two target points to be set, one target point over the vessel’s hold and a second over the centre of the hopper, with the crane automatically taking the most efficient route between the two set points and simultaneously removing sway from the ropes. The LiDAT telematics system, which allows Liebherr engineers to monitor, check and trouble shoot the crane remotely, and a new smaller, more efficient Liebherr Tier 4 final diesel engine.

The new state-of-the-art LHM 180 mobile harbour crane is expected to increase the efficiency at the 685 acre port, which currently handles around 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually. The new LHM 180, joins another LHM 180 purchased in 2013 and brings the total number of Liebherr LHMs based at ABP Newport to three.
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A closer look at the new crane

Liebherr GB sales manager Robert Alexander said: “It has been a pleasure working with ABP Newport. The purchase of the new crane builds on an excellent working relationship and adds to the growing fleet of Liebherr cranes within ABP as a group. We wish the port every success as they expand their operations and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”