More power: Kurth Autokrane takes delivery of New Flagship Liebherr LTF 1060-4.1truck-mounted telescopic crane
- Meagan Wood
- Dec 4, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 5, 2025
Kurth Autokrane has taken delivery of a Liebherr LTF 1060-4.1. The 60-tonne truck-mounted
telescopic crane replaces a 15-year-old LTF 1045-4.1 in the fleet of the company from
Blankenheim in North Rhine-Westphalia. The higher load capacity and good experience with the predecessor tipped the scales in favor of the 60-tonner on series trucks. Kurth Autokrane has many years of experience with truck-mounted telescopic cranes. For 15 years, the company operated an LTF 1045-3.1, and before that an LTF 1040. Managing Director Marcel Kurth explains: “We have had good experiences with the Liebherr truck-mounted cranes, but the LTF 1045-4.1 was now increasingly reaching its performance limit. That is why we decided to buy the much more powerful LTF 1060-4.1. Fuel consumption and maintenance costs are lower for cranes with a truck chassis.”
The cost-effectiveness of LTF cranes in everyday use is guaranteed by low operating costs, as the design of a standard truck means that it consumes less fuel than a comparable all-terrain crane. The power of the superstructure engine is precisely matched to the requirements of crane operation. Using a standard truck as the crane chassis also means lower costs for tires and other wearing parts as they are mass-produced. Truck driver's cabs are also available with sleeping facilities, if necessary, which is beneficial for certain crane jobs.
The compact dimensions and low axle loads of the LTF mobile cranes ensure maximum flexibility. LTF cranes comply with all the criteria for an unlimited permanent road license in Germany. The LTF 1060- 4.1 is an economical alternative for crane operators in the taxi crane class, as the 4-axle vehicle travels with a total ballast of 10.2 tonnes with a maximum axle load of 9 tonnes on the front axles and 12 tonnes on the rear axles. The crane’s gross weight remains under 42 tonnes and it is immediately ready to start work on site with its maximum lifting capacity. No additional transport vehicles are required for ballast weights or equipment. By reducing the ballast carried on the crane, the total weight can be reduced to less than 33 tonnes, which has a positive effect on driving licenses and registration options.
The LTF 1060-4.1 telescopic truck-mounted crane is a low cost alternative in the taxi crane class. Why? First of all, the 4-axle crane can carry all its ballast on public roads. This means that it is immediately ready for action once it reaches the site and it does not require any transport vehicles. Secondly, the truck-mounted crane is mounted on a standard truck chassis. That means you benefit from lower costs for tires and common truck parts compared to all-terrain cranes. Finally, the various axle loads can be adjusted quickly, meaning that long-term permits for many roads can be obtained significantly more easily.
This year, Kurth Autokrane is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Marcel Kurth founded his company in 1999: “We started very small with one crane, one driver, and my strong wife at my side.” Today, Kurth operates 126 machines with 19 employees and is an all-around service provider for cranes, work platforms, ground-level work, and heavy haulage as well as towing and recovery services for trucks. “In 25 years, we have grown in a customer-orientated way with a sense of proportion and purpose. We have a good relationship with Liebherr. The products retain their value, are easy to maintain, and are innovative. The service at Liebherr is excellent. The team at the Oberhausen branch is fully committed to its customers, even under challenging conditions,” says Marcel Kurth.
