Liebherr Port Mobile Cranes with Electric Drive are in Demand

In the sales year 2021, the demand for Liebherr port mobile cranes with electric drive has risen sharply. Compared to 2019, the number of devices equipped with electric motors has even doubled. Liebherr has successfully implemented a hybrid drive concept, consisting of diesel and electric motors, for their port mobile cranes for over 20 years. In addition to emission-free handling, cost savings and reduced maintenance are also advantages of the electric drive.

(Rostock) Electrification is entering a new market phase. A clear shift in focus towards electrified cranes can be observed. Liebherr has been offering a hybrid drive concept for their maritime port mobile cranes for over 20 years, consisting of a diesel and an electric motor. The diesel engine is used exclusively for moving the crane along the quay. Once the crane has reached the desired position, the machine is connected to the local power grid via a cable. Thus, the actual cargo handling can be done without emissions.

When operating with an electric drive, the energy recovered from lowering can be fed back into the local power grid if needed. This further reduces the operating costs of electrically operated cargo handling.

Hydrostatic Drive Concept

All Liebherr port mobile cranes are equipped with the widely used hydrostatic drive concept within the Liebherr group. The principle is based on a main drive that supplies pumps and a hydraulic distribution gearbox with energy. The main drive can be a diesel engine or an electric motor. All energy-consuming components used for lifting, swiveling, and tilting are connected to a closed hydraulic circuit and are supplied by it as needed. The advantages of the hydrostatic drive lie in extremely precise control, a minimal number and size of components, and the standard use of regenerative power. Compared to other drive systems on the market, this innovative drive principle typically saves diesel or energy during crane operation and enables sustainable and efficient operation.

Significantly Increased Demand

This type of hybrid drive concept has been successfully used for many years. Notably, the demand for electric motors with power grid connection has increased enormously in the last two years. Compared to 2019, the demand for LHM cranes with electric drive has even doubled. Currently, more than a third of all Liebherr port mobile crane orders are equipped with an electric drive – a trend that is on the rise. Retrofitting electric drives is also possible and is increasingly being utilized by port mobile crane customers.

Various Electric Drive Options

For emission-free operation of the LHM, it can be connected to a low-voltage network starting from 400 volts or a high-voltage network up to 20 kV. In the case of high-voltage supply, this is converted to low voltage via a transformer mounted on the undercarriage, ensuring that only low voltage is present in the crane itself. For the safe movement of the crane with the cable, Liebherr offers the option of a cable reel. Depending on the voltage at the feeding point, a cable length between 70 meters and 200 meters can be realized. This also allows for quick and easy emission-free electric movement of the crane along the quay.

Photo: © Liebherr