New luffing-jib crane from Linden Comansa
The new model with maximum load capacity of 64 tonne is in response to the growing demand for high-tonnage luffers.

The use of high-tonnage, prefabricated components and extremely large steel beams in construction is a growing trend, based on the fact that it reduces project-completion times. Linden Comansa has responded to that need with the launch of the LCL700, the largest in its range of luffing-jib tower cranes to date.

Two versions of the LCL700 are launched on the global market, with maximum load capacities of 64 and 50 tonne (141,090 and 110,230 lb). By means of simple manual modifications, the maximum load capacity of the cranes can be reduced to 32 and 25 tonne, respectively (70,550 and 55,120 lb), resulting in increased hoist speed and productivity. This change on the hoist system from double line to single pull line is one of the many improvements that have been implemented into this model based on recommendations from Linden Comansa clients.

The maximum radius of the LCL700 is 65 m (213.3 ft) and can be reduced in increments of 5 m to 30 m (98.4 ft). The LCL700 64t can lift a maximum load of 7.2 tonnes at maximum reach (15,870 lb), while the LCL700 50t can lift 7.5 t (16,530 lb). The minimum reach of both models is just 4 m (13.1 ft), allowing maximum use of the space at the construction site. The LCL700 also boasts an excellent ?out-of-service? jib radius of between 20.4 and 16 m (66.9-52.5 ft), depending on the maximum reach, providing a greater level of safety on the construction site when the crane is not in use.

The radius of the counter-jib is also extremely short, measuring just 9.5 m (31.2 ft), with the potential to be reduced to 8.7 m (28.5 ft) by assembling the crane with steel counterweights rather than the standard concrete counterweights. Despite its size, the counter-jib is spaciously distributed, enabling the operator to work and perform maintenance tasks with great ease.

The maximum free-standing height of the LCL700 is 69.8 m (229.0 ft), on anchor feet. The LCL700 tower sections, with a 2.5-m wide frame, are the same as for the luffing-jib LCL500 model and the flat-top 21LC750. This eliminates the need for owners of those models to re-invest in tower sections or the climbing cage.

This new luffing jib crane boasts a 200 kW hoist motor (268 hp) that enables to reach high speeds: up to 134 m per min for the LCL700 64t (440 ft/min), and 170 m/min for the LCL700 50t (558 ft/min). The hoist speed with maximum load capacity is naturally reduced, but remains extremely competitive: the LCL700 64t can lift 64 tonnes at a speed of 17 m/min (56 ft/min) or 32 tonne at 34 m/min (112 ft/min), while the maximum speed for the 50t version is 22 m/min (72 ft/min) when lifting 50-tonne loads and 43 m/min (141 ft/min) when lifting 25 tonne loads. Both models feature a high-capacity Lebus hoist cable drum, enabling them to be used to construct buildings of over 1,000 m in height (3,400 ft) when using the single pull line, and buildings of over 500 m in height (1,600 ft) when using the double line.

The LCL700 leaves the factory ready for quick assembly with pre-assembled luffing reevings, thus allowing on-site erectors to work faster and the assembly time to be reduced. The components can be quickly connected using bolts, the accesses are wide, comfortable and easily-assembled, and the erection weights have been optimised.