Hugh Simpson Contractors Takes Delivery of Scotland’s First Liebherr LTM 1400-6.1
30-Second Takeaway
Hugh Simpson Contractors has taken delivery of a 450-tonne Liebherr LTM 1400-6.1, the first crane of its type in Scotland. The six-axle all-terrain crane has a 70-metre telescopic boom and is equipped with Liebherr’s Y-Guying system. Hugh Simpson ordered it with an 80.5-metre luffing jib, giving it a maximum tip height of 128 metres. The company expects to use the crane mainly for unloading wind turbine components from vessels, where restricted quayside space makes a compact crane with strong lifting performance valuable.
Hugh Simpson Adds First Scottish LTM 1400-6.1
The Wick-based rental company has added the 450-tonne crane to its fleet as Scotland’s first Liebherr LTM 1400-6.1. Hugh Simpson Contractors placed the order at Bauma 2025.
The six-axle all-terrain crane combines a 70-metre telescopic boom with Liebherr’s Y-Guying system. Hugh Simpson also ordered an 80.5-metre luffing jib, which gives the crane a maximum tip height of 128 metres. With the jib, the crane can lift 5.4 tonnes at the stated maximum tip height and handle up to 2.6 tonnes at a maximum radius of 97 metres.
Operations director David Simpson said the company decided the crane would be a strong addition as soon as Liebherr announced a six-axle model with Y-Guying. He said much of the company’s work involves unloading wind turbine components from vessels, where quayside space can be restricted.
Y-Guying and Luffing Jib Extend the Crane’s Reach
The LTM 1400-6.1’s 70-metre telescopic boom provides the base for a range of crane configurations. Y-Guying adds boom support to increase lifting performance, while the 80.5-metre luffing jib extends the crane’s reach for work at height and distance.
In the configuration ordered by Hugh Simpson, the crane reaches a maximum tip height of 128 metres. The supplied load chart information lists 5.4 tonnes at that height and 2.6 tonnes at a 97-metre radius. These capacities give the company additional options for handling wind turbine components and other large loads around port and industrial sites.
VarioBase Supports Variable Outrigger Setups
The crane is equipped with Liebherr’s VarioBase variable outrigger system. The outriggers can be extended to different positions to suit the available working area, with the supplied figures listing extension widths of 5.6 metres at 50 percent, 7.1 metres at 75 percent and 8.53 metres when fully extended.
Variable outrigger positioning gives the crane team more flexibility when setting up in restricted spaces. This is relevant to Hugh Simpson’s planned quayside work, where space around vessels and other equipment may limit the available setup area.
UK Road Configuration Includes Y-Guying
Under the UK’s 16.5-tonne-per-axle STGO road regulations, the LTM 1400-6.1 can travel with 10 tonnes of its 140 tonnes of counterweight, a hook block and the Y-Guying system.
That transport arrangement allows the crane to move with selected equipment already on board, while keeping within the stated axle-load limit. Hugh Simpson also expects to benefit from interchangeable ballast with its Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1, giving the company more flexibility in how it manages counterweight across the fleet.
About the Companies
Hugh Simpson Contractors
Established in 1964, Hugh Simpson Contractors is a crane hire and heavy lifting company based in Wick, in the far northeast of Scotland. The company provides crane and equipment rental, contract lifting, aerial work platforms, telehandlers and heavy haulage. Its crane fleet ranges from 3.5 to 700 tonnes.
The LTM 1400-6.1 is joining that fleet to support work including wind turbine component handling at ports and other lifting operations where reach, capacity and setup space are important.
View website: https://www.hughsimpson.co.uk/
Liebherr
Liebherr is a family-run manufacturer of construction machinery and other technology products, founded in Germany in 1949. Its mobile crane range includes all-terrain cranes and heavy-duty models, while its mobile and crawler crane business is based at the Ehingen plant in Germany.
The LTM 1400-6.1 is a six-axle all-terrain crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 450 tonnes. It is designed for high-capacity lifting with a 70-metre telescopic boom and optional equipment such as Y-Guying and a luffing jib.
View website: https://www.liebherr.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can the Liebherr LTM 1400-6.1 lift?
The LTM 1400-6.1 has a maximum lifting capacity of 450 tonnes. Actual capacity depends on the crane’s configuration, radius and operating setup.
What boom and jib will Hugh Simpson’s crane use?
The crane has a 70-metre telescopic boom and was ordered with an 80.5-metre luffing jib. Together, they give it a stated maximum tip height of 128 metres.
What can it lift at its maximum radius?
The information supplied for Hugh Simpson’s crane lists a capacity of 2.6 tonnes at a maximum radius of 97 metres.
What does Y-Guying do?
Y-Guying is a boom support system used to increase crane lifting performance. The LTM 1400-6.1 is notable as a six-axle crane equipped with this system.
What is VarioBase?
VarioBase is Liebherr’s variable outrigger support system. It allows the outriggers to be extended to different widths, including the 5.6-metre, 7.1-metre and 8.53-metre positions listed for this crane.
How will Hugh Simpson use the crane?
Operations director David Simpson said the company expects to use it mainly to unload wind turbine components from vessels. The crane’s compact six-axle design and lifting capability are intended to help with quayside work where space is limited.
How can the crane travel under UK STGO regulations?
At the stated 16.5-tonne-per-axle limit, the crane can travel with 10 tonnes of counterweight, a hook block and the Y-Guying system.
