R.W. Christopher Adds 450 Tonne Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 to Mark 40th Anniversary
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Welsh crane rental company R.W. Christopher has taken delivery of a 450 tonne Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 all terrain crane, marking the company’s 40th anniversary. The eight-axle crane becomes the company’s new flagship, featuring an 85 metre main boom, VarioBallast counterweight system and VarioBase outrigger technology for improved lifting performance and operational flexibility.
R.W. Christopher Celebrates 40 Years with New Flagship Crane
Welsh crane hire company R.W. Christopher has expanded its fleet with the delivery of a 450 tonne Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 all terrain crane.
The new crane arrives as the company celebrates 40 years in operation, becoming the largest and most powerful crane in its fleet.
The eight-axle Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 replaces the company’s 300 tonne Grove GMK6300L-1 as the flagship unit.
The machine will support heavy lifting projects across Wales and south-west England, where the company provides crane hire services for construction, infrastructure and industrial operations.
Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 Specifications
The Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 all terrain crane features an 85 metre telescopic main boom, providing strong reach capabilities for large lifting operations.
One of the crane’s key advantages is its ability to travel efficiently between job sites while carrying significant equipment.
The crane can travel with:
Full 85 metre main boom installed
Outriggers and winch on board
Within 12 tonne axle load limits
Under UK transport regulations, where axle loads of up to 16 tonnes are permitted, the crane can also travel with additional equipment including:
Seven metre swingaway extension
Up to 24 tonnes of counterweight
This transport flexibility helps reduce setup times and improve operational efficiency for crane operators.
Advanced Liebherr Lifting Technologies
The Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 is equipped with several advanced lifting technologies designed to maximise stability and lifting performance.
These include:
VarioBallast counterweight system, which allows the counterweight radius to be adjusted depending on available working space
VarioBase outrigger system, enabling variable outrigger positioning to optimise lifting capacity depending on site conditions
These technologies allow operators to adapt crane configurations to confined job sites while maintaining strong lifting capacity.
Supporting Lifting Projects Across Wales and South West England
R.W. Christopher operates across Wales and south-west England, providing crane hire services for a variety of industries including construction, infrastructure and industrial installation projects.
Manager Sam Christopher highlighted the significance of the new crane for the company.
“Celebrating 40 Years of R.W. Christopher crane hire with the arrival of our new flagship!”
The addition of the 450 tonne all terrain crane allows the company to undertake larger lifting operations while expanding its heavy lift capability.
Family-Owned Crane Hire Business
R.W. Christopher is a family-owned crane hire company established in 1986 and headquartered in Bridgend, Wales.
The company operates a fleet of mobile cranes ranging from eight tonnes to 450 tonnes, providing lifting services for construction and infrastructure projects across the region.
Over four decades, the company has built a reputation for supporting contractors with mobile crane hire and heavy lifting solutions throughout Wales and neighbouring parts of England.
About R.W. Christopher
R.W. Christopher is a Welsh crane hire company based in Bridgend, South Wales. Founded in 1986, the family-owned business provides crane rental and lifting services across Wales and south-west England.
The company operates a fleet of mobile cranes ranging from compact lifting units to heavy-capacity all terrain cranes used for construction, infrastructure and industrial projects.
About Liebherr
Liebherr is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction machinery and lifting equipment. The company produces a wide range of cranes including mobile cranes, crawler cranes and tower cranes, used across construction, infrastructure, energy and industrial sectors worldwide.
Website: https://www.liebherr.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What crane did R.W. Christopher add to its fleet?
R.W. Christopher has taken delivery of a 450 tonne Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 all terrain crane, which now serves as the company’s flagship machine.
What is the boom length of the Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1?
The crane features an 85 metre telescopic main boom.
What transport advantages does the LTM 1450-8.1 offer?
The crane can travel with its full boom, outriggers and winch within 12 tonne axle loads, and under UK regulations can carry additional equipment including counterweight and extensions.
What lifting technologies are included on the crane?
The crane is equipped with VarioBallast counterweight adjustment and the VarioBase outrigger positioning system to improve lifting performance and site flexibility.
Where does R.W. Christopher operate?
The company operates from Bridgend in Wales, providing crane hire services across Wales and south-west England.
