The higher hundreds

In the second of a two-part report, Will North looks at All Terrain cranes between 130 and 180 tonnes. While some models in this class target taxi crane work, it also marks the point where five-axle carriers become standard with most models designed for project work.

- Will North

In part one we covered cranes between 100 and 120 tonnes, where manufacturers offer almost as many cranes as in the entire 130 to 180-tonne category, although there is no shortage of choice. While most 100 and 120-tonne cranes feature 60-metre booms, these larger machines include a mix of shorter boomed models, such as the 150 tonne ‘big taxi’ Grove GMK5150 with a 50.8-metre boom, while others have longer booms – including 66 metres on the new Liebherr 150 tonner – launched last month – or 68 metres on the Demag AC 160-5. In addition to the European built cranes, buyers in the Americas also have access to the new 150 tonne (175 ton) US-built Link-Belt 175|AT.

Lower Third

At the lower end of the range are three cranes with 60-metre booms: the 130 tonne Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1, and Demag AC 130-5 along with the 140 tonne Tadano ATF 140-5.1. In many ways, they are similar to the 100 to 120-tonne models, and as such are taxi cranes, with the ability to carry a decent amount of counterweight, a key customer requirement. Michael Klein, product manager for Tadano and Demag cranes, says: “The smaller five-axle cranes, up to the AC 130-5, can travel with 10-tonne axle loads. This is a big plus in some countries, especially Germany, where it makes it easier and quicker to get transport permits.”