Crane Barge Adds Power, Flexibility in New York Harbor

A new Liebherr LHM 600 Mobile Harbor Crane has been in operation in the Port of New York and New Jersey since November 2019. Metal recycler Sims Metal Management places its LHM 600 on a floating barge, which offers the company various advantages.

Firstly, the barge solution offers enormous flexibility in terms of location. The company operates two different terminals in the New York Harbor. In addition to a terminal in the Port of Newark Sims Metal Management also operates the terminal of Claremont in Jersey City, N.J., which is about 10 kilometers linear distance. Depending on requirements, the floating mobile harbor crane can be towed by sea to the appropriate terminal and is thus ready for operation in the shortest possible time.

Secondly, the Liebherr mobile harbor crane can move along the barge to reach furtherhatches without having to move the barge. On the other hand, operation from the barge means that no adjustments to the port infrastructure are necessary. The space gained at the quay edge can also be used as storage and operational space.

The Liebherr LHM 600 mobile harbor crane from Sims Metal Management is equipped with a 750 kW Liebherr diesel engine that complies with the latest Tier 4 final emissions standard. The crane is equipped with a maximum lifting capacity of up to 144 tonnes. In 4-rope grab operation, up to 75 tonnes are available - making the LHM 600 from Sims the most powerful Mobile Harbor Crane on a barge in the U.S.

The Liebherr Pactronic hybrid system is installed as an additional power booster in the new machine from Sims Meteal Management. Its main feature is an additional energy storage device, the accumulator. The accumulator is charged when the load is lowered and by surplus power from the conventional drive unit. The Liebherr Pactronic system is a power amplifier. Both lifting and lowering speeds are increased despite the fact that the primary power output remains the same.

Sims Metal Management also benefits from the Liebherr analysis software LiDAT smartApp. The smartApp is an IT-solution for the analysis and optimization of cargo handling processes. With LiDAT smartApp it is possible to analyse crane data and initiate process improvements.

(Photo: Liebherr)