Economical, efficient and reliable

Liebherr’s cranes are renowned for their high quality standards, strong performance and impressive load capacities. The NC-B series cranes are no different. Lifting Africa spoke to Chris Cardoso, General Manager Tower Cranes, Liebherr-Africa, to find out more about this product.

When it comes to sites that require power for heavy loads, nothing makes more sense than Liebherr’s NC-B series. “This series comes along with strong highperformance drives and impressive maximum load capacities up to 12 t,” explains Cardoso. “Further the NC-B cranes provide the largest working radius in their respective classes.” Liebherr hold a strong performance record in the crane industry. Company founder Hans Liebherr developed the first mobile fast-erecting tower crane more than 60 years ago. Since then, Liebherr cranes have become well-known all over the world and today the business consists of an international group of companies with more than 40 000 employees worldwide. According to Cardoso, the NC-B series is a particularly good choice for Africa. “For the development of this series, the usability in the context of one’s daily challenges was crucial especially in places like Africa. One of these areas is increased hook heights on construction sites, very heavy loads of prefabricated material and other industries like concentrators and maintenance on mining applications. In addition to the high quality, the NC-B series comes along with the outstanding features of all Liebherr’s well-established crane series. With the uncertainty in the South African market over the past few years there has been more emphasis and focus on lower cost. Also improved quality, better production and reduced risk are what companies are looking for when purchasing cranes. “With the risk appetite being at an all-time low, the market is more and more looking for solutions that will offer lower capital output without compromising in long-term quality and results,” says Cardoso. These were all very valuable indicators that Liebherr took into consideration when it released the NC-B series crane. “It is by far one of the best economical options with lower operation costs, energy consumption, maintenance and reduced spare parts consumption whilst maintaining Liebherr’s high efficiency, highperformance systems.” As the industry requires a reliable premium quality product that is versatile and built for extreme conditions, the NC-B crane has excelled in South Africa over the last years within not only the construction industries but also making strides in the mining arena. “This has proven its status as a lowcost, high quality, get-the-job done crane,” says Cardoso.

Delivering value

Replacement of older cranes as well as mobile cranes are more and more coming to the forefront as clients are now seeing cost and productivity improvement through using tower cranes. There is also increasing recognition about the benefits in working directly with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The NC-B series is currently available with a 6 t max capacity with an 62,5 meter reach (NC-B 6-62) and a 12 t max capacity with 70 meter reach and 77 meter freestanding hook-height (NC-B 12-70). The NC-B 12-70 also boast with the best tip load and highest constant load moment in class. With the added flexible design, clients are now more able to configure the cranes to perfectly align with their specific site requirement, explains Cardoso. “With the reduced capital output, clients are now able to forgo older cranes for a modern safer option without compromising on what is important, the bottom line,” he says. “Other benefits of this series include the jib that can be assembled with less effort, frequency converter drives in all motion intelligent and the energy efficient steering of the crane. Also, load can be handled with fine sensitivity and fast movements will not cause load swing, while lightweight components improved for easy transportation.”

Bespoke solutions

“For the NC-B series we developed a multifunctional climbing equipment. The hydraulic system makes internal climbing up to 501 meters working height as well as external climbing within the same unit possible,” says Cardoso. “This multi-purpose component is a part of the versatile new 16 EC tower system” Furthermore, the NC-B series is interchangeable with many local Liebherr Tower Sections, adding value to equipment already within South Africa. “In many cases, the requirement for the top kit only is enough for many clients as they simply slot the new top kit on their existing Mast within their fleet,” he says. As optional extras, the series is also optimal for use in dangerous operation circumstances. “Danger zones can be managed. The operation range limiting system enables you to prevent slewing over safety-critical areas (for example rail tracks),” says Cardoso. “This increases operational safety and relieves the stress on the crane operator.” The cranes also have a long life. “Tight-welded crane parts and a control system via limit switches ensures the high quality of the NC-B cranes. This results in a long service life and high conservation of value of the cranes as well as the highest safety standards on site.” For Cardoso the NC-B series is the obvious choice when operating in robust African conditions. “As we go into 2022, we have a continued commitment to stay with our client’s needs. The NC-B is proof that we listen to our clients whilst adhering to the high quality standards expected from Liebherr. It also fulfills the very dynamic requirements of the market at an attractive price. This series is finally exactly the power and the value the South African industry needs.”