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The Australian Defence Force has rolled out its new Liebherr C6 mobile slewing cranes as part of the Land 8120 Phase 1 rollout.
The 24 cranes are the first of 13 variants of earth-moving and manual handling equipment to be introduced across the three services, after delivery in July this year.
Each crane has a higher lift capacity, advanced Bluetooth control systems, adjustable counterweights, variable-base stabilisation system, can be set up from inside or outside the cab using remote control.
School of Military Engineering Corporal Braden Pritchett said the new cranes have a lift capacity of 48 tonnes and a boom length of 48 metres.
“We only have 20-tonne and 30-tonne mid-lift capacity cranes available so these will help with building military structures, infrastructure, or just lifting stores more efficiently,” CPL Pritchett said.
“It’s an all-terrain vehicle and has market-leading technology. It’s the best there is and we are lucky to get them.”
Tenders for the Land 8120 Phase 1 rollout were previously announced in early 2019 with Defence intending to use the equipment in Australia and overseas for earthworks, route development and maintenance, airfield construction and repair, port operations, supply and distribution, and amphibious/beach operations.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Aaron Watts, technical adviser for the project, said 10 introduction-into-service courses would be run across Sydney, Amberley, and Townsville bases in July.
Able Seaman Solomon Camilleri-McDonald completed the first trial course, delivered by Ventia, at the School of Military Engineering in mid-May.
“No other crane in Defence has the ability to set up the crane, the outriggers and the boom from inside the cab,” AB Camilleri-McDonald said.
“The cranes are very advanced, high tech and fun to use. They are helpful with everything we do.”
Robert Dougherty
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