Hofmann’s impressive Liebherr LR 1800-1.0 crawler crane has successfully completed the assembly of two 5.7 megawatt Nordex wind turbines on a former military site in the Bitburg-Prüm district. This milestone, achieved in late May 2024, marked the first deployment of this state-of-the-art crane, designed specifically for wind power and large-scale assembly work.
With a hub height of 160 meters, the turbines were a formidable challenge, but the LR 1800-1.0 was more than up to the task. Boasting a lifting capacity of up to 800 tonnes and capable of reaching hook heights over 200 meters, the crane demonstrated its power and precision. The HSL4 boom system, its most powerful option, was crucial in managing the intricate lifts required for the project.
The two Nordex N163 turbines, with a rotor diameter of 163 meters, are now set to provide electricity to several thousand households. This ambitious project was completed in just two weeks, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Nordex site manager Frank Stanitzek and his team, along with the expert crane operators from Hofmann.
Valerij Ren, a crane driver with five years of experience operating large Liebherr cranes, praised the new LR 1800-1.0: “Liebherr crawler cranes are generally simple and easy to operate. The monitors embedded in the armrests for monitoring the winches make the work much easier.” Ren’s confidence in the crane was evident as he maneuvered the massive structure with precision, even in wind speeds up to 13.4 m/s.
Transported directly from the Liebherr plant in Ehingen to Prüm in April 2024, the LR 1800-1.0 was assembled on-site for the first time with the help of Liebherr fitters. The crane was configured with a 165-meter main boom and a 12-meter lattice-type fixed jib, demonstrating the power of the HSL4 system. With a 174-meter main mast and a 21-meter lattice-type fixed jib, the crane can erect wind turbines with hub heights up to 179 meters.
For the Prüm project, the LR 1800-1.0 was ballasted with 170 tonnes on the slewing platform, 70 tonnes in the undercarriage, and an additional 400 tonnes of suspended ballast. This configuration enabled the crane to lift a 68-tonne nacelle, a 74-tonne drive train, and a 63-tonne hub with ease. The tower elements, although lighter, still required careful handling, weighing 76, 73, and 51 tonnes respectively.
Dieter Abt, Head of Operations at Hofmann, revealed that the crane will soon be dismantled and reassembled 300 meters away for the next phase of the project. This process, involving six people and a 100-tonne auxiliary crane, underscores the efficiency and versatility of the LR 1800-1.0. With components like the two 60-tonne crawler carriers and the Quick Connection feature for the slewing platform, the crane’s modular design facilitates rapid assembly and disassembly.
Following its deployment in the Eifel region, the LR 1800-1.0 is set to install next-generation Nordex turbines with a hub height of 179 meters in northern Germany. According to Abt, the crane is not expected to return to its home base in Paderborn for many years, underscoring its critical role in the future of wind power installations.
