In the rugged hills of eastern Portugal, Liebherr’s LR 1700-1.0W crawler crane has successfully completed its first job. Tasked with erecting a 5.5 megawatt wind turbine from Enercon, this 700-tonne machine navigated narrow mountainous paths and delivered impressive results. The wind turbine, with a rotor diameter of 160 meters, is now operational, spinning in the steady Portuguese winds.
What sets the LR 1700-1.0W apart is its innovative narrow-track design, allowing it to traverse paths barely over six meters wide. This new model, the latest in Liebherr’s lineup, brings a game-changing feature to the wind energy sector: it can drive directly to its next location without disassembly, thanks to its crawler carriers. This eliminates the need for multiple heavy transport vehicles, streamlining the construction process, and significantly cutting down on project time.
For those familiar with wind turbine installations, this innovation is particularly valuable. Moving large cranes between sites typically requires days of setup and dismantling. However, the LR 1700-1.0W’s mobility enables it to quickly shift from one turbine construction site to the next, saving precious time and reducing logistical headaches.
Liebherr isn’t new to narrow-track crawler cranes; their experience goes back 20 years with the LR 1400/2-W, their first machine of this type. Yet, the LR 1700-1.0W represents a complete redesign, boasting a stronger base, improved travel gear, and significantly higher load capacities. Its long boom system and star-shaped support structure are designed to handle the increased heights of modern wind turbines, which now frequently reach hub heights of up to 170 meters.
During a visit to the site, the journey from the Spanish-Portuguese border to the small town of Sabugal revealed the crane’s might. Its yellow lattice boom stood out against the rocky landscape, an unmistakable symbol of progress. However, the turbine was still awaiting the arrival of its rotor blades—massive 80-meter-long components that require specialized vehicles to transport them. These vehicles, equipped with up to twelve axles, carry the blades on their backs, even navigating tight corners in reverse gear.
On-site, the construction crew, including Carlos and Samuel, the crane’s operators, shared their frustrations. “Unfortunately, the blades aren’t here yet,” they explained, citing transport issues. Delays like these are a common challenge in wind energy projects, highlighting the importance of efficient logistics to keep operations running smoothly.
As the wind energy sector continues to grow, equipment like the LR 1700-1.0W will play a crucial role in supporting the transition to renewable energy. With its ability to tackle the challenges of modern wind turbine construction, this crane is already proving to be a valuable asset in the field.
