Liebher LR 1500

The Liebherr LR 1500 is a high-performance 500-ton class crawler crane, designed to offer exceptional lifting power, ease of transport, and operational efficiency. Introduced at Liebherr’s Customer Days in June 2015, the crane was developed from the ground up to deliver strong lifting capacities while maintaining the size and weight of conventional 400-ton cranes. With compact dimensions, optimized transport logistics, and advanced hydraulic systems, the LR 1500 is one of the most efficient and cost-effective crawler cranes in its class.

One of the key advantages of the LR 1500 is its compact footprint, with a track width of 7.6 meters (24 feet 11 inches), keeping it within the range of smaller cranes while delivering greater lifting capabilities. The crane’s derrick system is designed for maximum performance, featuring a 30-meter (98-foot) derrick boom and up to 280 tons (617,300 lbs) of derrick ballast. The derrick radius is highly adjustable, ranging from 9 meters (30 feet) to 16 meters (53 feet), with a minimum radius of 9 meters, an outstanding feature for a 500-ton crawler crane operating in confined job sites.

Transportability is another major advantage of the LR 1500. With a transport weight of just 45 tons per component, the crane can be easily shipped worldwide without restrictions. Liebherr designed the crane for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, reducing the number of boom sections and components to streamline assembly and transport logistics. The main hoist winch, featuring a 180 kN rope pull, handles all standard lifting operations up to the crane’s maximum capacity, eliminating the need for a second winch for dual-load operations in most cases.

For maximum performance and precise control, the LR 1500 utilizes closed hydraulic circuits for its winches, slewing gear, and crawler travel drive, ensuring:

Independent operation of multiple functions without interference.
Maximum operating speeds for individual functions.
Smooth, precise movement control with sensitive load handling.
Simultaneous operation of all winches and slewing functions.
Energy recovery from load-lowering operations, improving efficiency.
The LR 1500 is powered by a 350 kW (469 hp) six-cylinder inline diesel engine, the same engine used in the Liebherr LR 1600/2, ensuring high fuel efficiency and strong traveling power. The engine meets Stage IV / Tier 4 Final emission standards, making it suitable for environmentally regulated markets.

When it comes to lifting at extreme heights, the LR 1500 offers performance comparable to 600-ton class cranes. With an 84-meter (276-foot) main boom + 84-meter (276-foot) luffing jib configuration, it can handle heavy loads at towering heights. The 250-ton jib head on the luffing jib is interchangeable with the SL main boom, adding to its flexibility in high-elevation operations. Additionally, a 400-ton head is standard for the S main boom, while an optional 500-ton head is available for ultra-heavy lifting.

With its strong lifting capabilities, compact dimensions, advanced hydraulic systems, and outstanding transportability, the Liebherr LR 1500 is a game-changing crawler crane in the 500-ton class, offering power, efficiency, and versatility for the most demanding lifting applications.