Ainscough Invests £40 Million in Liebherr All-Terrain Cranes to Modernise UK Fleet

Meagan Wood
Nov 8, 2024
3 min read

30 Second Takeaway

Ainscough Crane Hire, the UK’s largest crane rental company, has begun taking delivery of the first seven cranes from a 14-unit Liebherr all-terrain order, part of a £40 million fleet investment programme. The order includes LTM 1230-5.1 and LTM 1300-6.3 cranes, strengthening lifting capacity, improving transport efficiency, and accelerating the company’s transition to modern, lower-emission crane technology.

Ainscough Begins Delivery of Major Liebherr Order

UK rental specialist Ainscough Crane Hire has taken delivery of the first seven Liebherr all-terrain cranes from a 14-unit order, marking a significant milestone in a £40 million investment programme.

The package comprises:

Seven 230-tonne Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1
Seven 300-tonne Liebherr LTM 1300-6.3

The new cranes will replace a number of older five- and six-axle units, forming a key part of Ainscough’s ongoing fleet modernisation strategy.

LTM 1230-5.1: Compact Power with Long Reach

The five-axle Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1 is equipped with an eight-section 75-metre main boom, offering exceptional reach within a compact footprint.

Key features include:

11.5–20 metre bi-fold swingaway extension
Offset capability of up to 40 degrees
Up to three 7-metre inserts between boom nose and swingaway
Maximum tip height of 113 metres with the main boom at 68 metres

This configuration makes the LTM 1230-5.1 highly versatile for infrastructure, industrial, and construction lifting operations.

LTM 1300-6.3: 300-Tonne Performance with Advanced Technology

The six-axle Liebherr LTM 1300-6.3 delivers higher lifting capacity and extended reach for demanding projects.

Specifications include:

Eight-section 90-metre main boom
11.5–20 metre bi-fold swingaway extension
Up to two 7-metre inserts, delivering a 121-metre tip height
Optional 43-metre lattice extension, increasing tip height to 126 metres

Advanced features fitted to the LTM 1300-6.3 include:

VarioBase® Plus outrigger setup and monitoring
VarioBallast® variable counterweight
Auto-Ballast
Wind-speed-related load charts

Leadership Perspective on Fleet Investment

Mark James, Ainscough’s Operations Support Director, commented on the strategic importance of the new cranes:

“The new cranes Liebherr are manufacturing feature longer booms and reduced counterweight than their predecessors, making them easier to transport and bringing unprecedented levels of efficiency to our fleet.”

He added:

“We are continuously investing in our fleet to ensure that our customers benefit from the latest equipment and to remain the market leader for lifting services in the UK. This package is just part of a wider crane investment that currently stands at £40 million over the past few years.”

Additional Fleet Growth and Zero-Emission Technology

In addition to the 14-unit Liebherr order, Ainscough has taken delivery of seven more cranes this year, including:

One 700-tonne Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1
Four 60-tonne Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1
Two 50-tonne Liebherr LTC 1050-3.1E hybrid cranes

The LTC 1050-3.1E, the first of its kind in the UK, is Liebherr’s first mobile crane capable of zero-emission operation, reinforcing Ainscough’s commitment to sustainable lifting solutions.

About Ainscough Crane Hire

Ainscough Crane Hire is the UK’s largest crane rental company, operating a fleet of more than 400 cranes from 30 depots across the UK. The company provides lifting solutions across construction, infrastructure, industrial, and heavy-lift sectors.

Ainscough continues to invest heavily in modern, efficient, and low-emission crane technology to support customer demands and maintain its market-leading position.

🔗 Website: https://www.ainscough.co.uk

About Liebherr

Liebherr is a global leader in the manufacture of mobile cranes, crawler cranes, and heavy lifting equipment. Known for engineering excellence, innovation, and long-term reliability, Liebherr remains at the forefront of crane technology development.

The LTM 1230-5.1, LTM 1300-6.3, and LTC 1050-3.1E represent Liebherr’s focus on performance, transport efficiency, and sustainability.

🔗 Website: https://www.liebherr.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How much has Ainscough invested in its crane fleet?

Ainscough has invested £40 million in fleet upgrades over recent years.

How many cranes are included in the Liebherr order?

The Liebherr order includes 14 all-terrain cranes seven LTM 1230-5.1 and seven LTM 1300-6.3.

What makes the new cranes more efficient?

Longer booms, reduced counterweight requirements, and advanced systems such as VarioBase® Plus and Auto-Ballast improve transport and on-site efficiency.