Crane Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
Nov. 22, 2023 - Bigge Crane & Rigging recently put its new Liebherr LR 1250.1 Unplugged crawler crane to work shortly after the electrically powered lifter had arrived in the company’s San Leandro, California, yard.
The emission-free crane is the first LR 1250.1 Unplugged on the West Coast and was an ideal fit for their customer, with the added benefit of being an environmentally conscious heavy-lifting solution.
On that project, the 275-U.S.-ton capacity lattice-boom crawler crane made lifts for an electrical contractor working at a Silicon Valley data center.
Bigge’s experienced mobilization team found it easy to assemble and rig the new crane, whose controls, procedures, and load charts are essentially identical to those of its diesel-powered counterpart.
Outfitted with 181,400 lbs. of main counterweight, 79,800 lbs. of carbody counterweight, and 174’ of boom, the crane lifted generators, a transmission box, and other components during four days on the job.
Its heaviest lift was 49,095 lbs. at a 75’ radius.
And it did it all without diesel fumes or engine noise.
The crane’s electric power source, either battery or umbilical, reduces the crane’s noise to less than 101 dbA, about the same as a household blender.
That makes it ideal for work in cities or other environments particularly sensitive to noise.
On battery power, it can work steadily for eight hours. When connected to mains power, it can work for an unlimited time.
According to Bigge and Liebherr, the LR 1250.1 Unplugged has identical lifting capacities, reach, and operating speeds as its diesel-powered twin, the LR 1250.1
The LR 1250.1 Unplugged is a considerable upside for customers looking to reduce their projects’ carbon footprints without impacting work-site productivity.
The Liebherr LR 1250.1 Unplugged marks a shift toward green energy solutions for Bigge, which hopes to set an example in the construction industry, as well as others.
Installing solar arrays at the San Leandro headquarters will supplement other sustainable energy initiatives already in place, including electric yard goats, EV charging stations for employees, and hybrid vehicles already in their fleet.
Bigge will demonstrate the new zero-emissions LR 1250.1 Unplugged and will talk about Bigge’s path forward in reducing the crane industry’s carbon footprint in California during an event at its San Leandro headquarters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2023.
For more information about the Bigge’s capabilities and the LR 1250.1 Unplugged, visit www.bigge.com.
