ESEASA Expands Wind and Energy Fleet With Liebherr LR 1700-1.0W and Multiple Mobile Cranes

30-Second Takeaway

Mexican lifting specialist ESEASA has expanded its fleet with the Liebherr LR 1700-1.0W narrow-track crawler crane, ordered at ConExpo 2023, alongside multiple mobile and rough-terrain cranes. The 700-tonne crawler is designed specifically for modern wind turbine and energy infrastructure projects, offering higher lifting capacities, greater hook heights, and advanced ballasting systems. The investment strengthens ESEASA’s ability to support wind, oil, gas, and offshore platform assembly projects across Mexico.

ESEASA Orders 700-Tonne Narrow-Track Crawler Crane at ConExpo 2023

ESEASA ordered the Liebherr LR 1700-1.0W at ConExpo 2023 as part of a comprehensive fleet package that also included a Liebherr LTM 1250-5.1 and two LRT 1090-2.1 rough-terrain cranes. Since then, the company has further expanded its fleet with the addition of a Liebherr LTM 1150-5.3.

The order was formalized with senior leadership from both organizations, including Daniel Pitzer (CFO, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH), Christian Tableros (Sales Director, Liebherr Mexico), Abraham Santos and Aldo Santos (Owners, ESEASA), and Jan Liebherr (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Liebherr-International AG).

ESEASA operates primarily in the energy sector, with a strong focus on petrochemicals, wind power, oil, gas, and offshore construction. According to company leadership, rapid service response and crane reliability were critical factors in selecting Liebherr.

“We require competent service and fast solutions for our projects,” said Abraham Santos. “Delays are not an option. Liebherr provides us with excellent support, well-trained technicians, and consistently high-quality cranes.”

Handover in Mexico (from left to right): Christian Tableros (Sales Director Liebherr Mexico), Aldo Santos (Owner ESEASA), Dolores Coronado (Operations Manager ESEASA).

LR 1700-1.0W: Benchmark Narrow-Track Crawler Crane

The LR 1700-1.0W is the successor to the LR 1600/2-W and is currently the most powerful narrow-track crawler crane in the world. Designed specifically for wind farms, it combines a compact footprint with significantly higher lifting capacities and greater hook heights.

Key advantages include:

• Optimized narrow-track travel gear for turbine-to-turbine movement

• Capability to handle hub heights up to 170 meters

• Identical superstructure and equipment to the LR 1700-1.0

• Optional luffing jib, unavailable on the predecessor model

“The LR 1700-1.0W gives us more power, more height, and modern crawler crane technology,” said Aldo Santos, co-owner of ESEASA. “It’s exactly what today’s wind turbines require.”

To meet the increased demands of steering and travel under load, Liebherr equipped the crane with components from the next larger crawler crane class, ensuring stability and durability even under extreme conditions.

Advanced Ballasting for Wind Turbine Assembly

The LR 1700-1.0W incorporates Liebherr’s proven V-Frame® and VarioTray® systems, already established on larger crawler cranes such as the LR 1800-1.0 and LR 11000.

• V-Frame® allows continuous ballast radius adjustment between 13 and 21 meters

• VarioTray® enables fast installation or removal of counterweight frames without stacking plates

• Eliminates rigid ballasting systems at large radii

These systems significantly reduce setup time and improve flexibility key advantages when assembling wind turbines in restricted or remote locations.

The LR 1700-1.0W offers state-of-the-art crawler crane technology such as V-Frame and VarioTray.

Supporting Mobile and Rough-Terrain Fleet

In addition to the crawler crane, ESEASA continues to expand its mobile crane portfolio:

Liebherr LTM 1250-5.1

• Most powerful 5-axle mobile crane in the world

• Features VarioBallast®, VarioBase®, ECOmode, and ECOdrive

• Optimized for high capacities on confined job sites

Liebherr LRT 1090-2.1

• Designed with safety as a priority

• Standard outrigger monitoring system

• Equipped with VarioBase® for increased flexibility and capacity

• Rope-pull telescoping system for fast, controlled boom extension

Liebherr LTM 1150-5.3

• 150-tonne capacity with long telescopic boom

• Can transport nine tonnes of ballast on public roads

• Single-engine concept improves efficiency and lifting performance

• Compatible jib systems across Liebherr’s 100–180-tonne range

Wind, Energy, and Offshore Applications

ESEASA ordered the wide standard chassis for the LR 1700-1.0W, enabling on-site travel with a load on the hook a key requirement for wind farms and industrial projects.

The crane is already earmarked for engineering, procurement, and construction work on six oil drilling platforms, where its lifting height, stability, and load capacity are essential.

ESEASA’s continued investment follows earlier orders:

• Seven rough-terrain cranes in 2021

• Five additional rough-terrain cranes and two all-terrain cranes at Bauma 2022

• Multiple LRT 1130-2.1 units added after ConExpo 2023

About ESEASA

ESEASA is a Mexico-based heavy lifting and construction specialist serving the energy, petrochemical, wind power, oil, gas, and offshore sectors. The company provides end-to-end solutions covering engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning.

With a rapidly expanding fleet of crawler, all-terrain, and rough-terrain cranes, ESEASA supports complex lifting projects throughout Mexico and beyond, with a strong focus on reliability, safety, and execution speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the LR 1700-1.0W different from the LR 1600/2-W?

The LR 1700-1.0W offers significantly higher lifting capacities, greater hook heights, and modern crawler crane technology, including optional luffing jib capability.

Why are narrow-track crawler cranes important for wind farms?

They can travel between turbines on existing access roads, reduce setup time, and operate efficiently in restricted layouts typical of wind projects.

What role does the V-Frame® system play?

V-Frame® allows continuous adjustment of the ballast radius, improving flexibility and eliminating the need for rigid ballasting systems.

Can the LR 1700-1.0W travel with a load on the hook?

Yes. When equipped with the wide standard chassis, it can travel on site with suspended loads, ideal for wind and industrial applications.

Which sectors will ESEASA use the crane in?

Wind energy, oil and gas, petrochemical plants, offshore platforms, and heavy industrial construction.