New LC3000 Series, the world’s biggest Flat-Top tower crane

Linden 8000 - Decade of 1970s Click on the image to enlarge

From December 1st, 2011, Linden Comansa offers its clients a new series of high capacity Flat-Top tower cranes, the LC3000. This series is formed by two models, 30 LC 1100 and 30 LC 1450, and each one comes with three different versions depending on their maximum load capacity: 32, 48 and 64 tons (70,550; 105,820 and 141,090 lbs). These are the world’s biggest Flat-Top tower cranes, and have been designed mainly for heavy industry, mining and public works.

This is not the first time Linden Comansa manufactures large capacity cranes. In the 1970s, they were offered by the old Linden, and in the 1990s, Linden Comansa received special orders for cranes with maximum loads up to 60 tons (132,277 lbs.). Nevertheless, due to the design of the new LC3000 series, the manufacturing and delivery periods are now significantly shorter, and a highly competitive price has been achieved.

Basic data of these cranes:

LC 8952 60t - 1996 Click on the image to enlarge

To develop Flat-Top tower crane of such capacity, Linden Comansa’s R&D team has been working in a lot of innovations, standing out among all of them the new structure design, which has turned into new patented jib and tower sections. Linden Comansa’s key concepts have been kept during this design: easiness of both transport and erection, as well as the modularity of its components and Flat-Top design.

The cranes of this series can be erected with jib lengths from 40 to 80 meters (from 131 to 262 ft.), with jib sections every 10 meters (33 ft.). The tower sections have spectacular dimensions: the biggest one is 6.2 meter high (20 ft.) and 10 meter long (33 ft.). Nevertheless, due to a new system that allows to fold the upper part of the jib, these sections fit into an Open-Top container, while the rest of jib sections fit into normal containers, which allows important savings in delivery through conventional type of transportation.

Unfolded jib section for work	Folded jib section for transport
Folded jib section inside a container

The cranes of the LC3000 family are erected over tower sections that are 4 meter wide (13 ft.), and 5.5 meter high (18 ft.), specially designed for this series. The maximum freestanding height of these cranes is 88.8 meters (291 ft.), but they can reach spectacular heights with tie frames. For example: 198.3 meters (650 ft.) with just two tie frames. Also, a new 5.5 meter wide (18 ft.) tower section has been developed to reach higher freestanding heights for the cranes of the LC3000 series. This mast section consists of the same quadrants that the 4-meter-wide section, plus one panel for every side and an additional central body that assures the stability of the crane and leaves space for the accesses and platforms.

The tower sections of the LC3000 series can also be combined with the tower sections of other Linden Comansa cranes, such as the 21 LC 750, in order that these can reach major freestanding heights.

Unfolded jib section for work	Folded jib section for transport

The cranes of the LC3000 series can be erected with fixing angles or over a 10-meter-wide (33 ft.) "H" base. Also the existing 10-meter-wide folding cross base has been modified so now it is possible to erect the 30 LC 1100 model over it.

All the cranes come with a hoist mechanism of 200 kW (268 hp.) with frequency control, drum with capacity for 1,450 meters of wire (4,757 ft.), and Linden Comansa’s double trolley system with automatic reeving change, among other many technical improvements.

The LC3000 series will be available for order from December 1st, with a current delivery time of 10 or 12 months, although it is expected to be reduced to 6 months when all the details of the production process are perfected.