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Enhanced Efficiency: The Central Lubrication System for Crane Chassis Revolutionizes Maintenanc

For decades, central lubrication systems have been a staple in the superstructures of mobile cranes, ensuring everything runs smoothly by automating the lubrication of hard-to-reach lube points. But what about the chassis? Until recently, this essential feature was missing from the crane’s undercarriage, despite its proven benefits. Tobias Baumann, group leader in chassis design and development at Liebherr, provides insights into how this game-changing system came about and its advantages.

Traditionally, the chassis didn’t seem to need a central lubrication system. The lube points on the chassis are relatively easy to access and fewer in number, making manual lubrication manageable. However, the advancements in crane technology have continually aimed at reducing maintenance efforts. Back in the early 1990s, Liebherr’s supplier upgraded the suspension cylinders to maintenance-free spherical plain bearings. By 2006, the gear shafts in the drivetrain also became maintenance-free. These changes made the crane chassis more maintenance-friendly, significantly minimizing potential damage due to lubrication neglect.

Despite these improvements, the steering knuckles still required annual lubrication at two points per knuckle, resulting in four points per axle. This maintenance task, though essential, was time-consuming. Moreover, regular inspections of the crane’s undercarriage during servicing provided additional benefits by identifying potential issues early. But Liebherr wanted to take customer convenience a step further, ensuring that steering knuckles and other parts of the chassis received optimal lubrication without manual intervention.

Enter the central lubrication system for the chassis. This innovative solution drastically cuts down maintenance time. For example, a 9-axle crane like the LTM 1750-9.1 has 36 lube points that are now managed by the central lubrication system. Filling the system is a quick process, taking just a few minutes, which means maintenance personnel can focus on other critical tasks. This new feature has been enthusiastically received by customers, with many new mobile cranes being ordered with the optional central lubrication system. Now, it’s available for almost all LTM cranes and the compact LTC models.

The central lubrication system is a significant leap forward in crane maintenance technology. It ensures all critical components are consistently and adequately lubricated, reducing the risk of wear and tear and extending the overall lifespan of the crane. As more customers opt for this feature, it’s clear that central lubrication systems are set to become the new standard in crane maintenance, mirroring broader trends towards automation and efficiency in heavy machinery.

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