A Look Inside the Cab of a Liebherr LR 1750 Crawler Crane

During a few down times of the taller of the two cranes, a 850-ton Liebherr LR 1750 crawler crane, located on the north side of the site, I have had the opportunity to spend some time with Don and Tommy, its two crane operators. The gigantic boom is most visible as it lifts and lowers the steel carefully into place. One observation, I have heard time and again is that when the tall boom (jib) is erect it towers high over the Medical Center. Even when the boom (jib) has been lowered to the ground the smaller boom (jib gantry) is taller than the Medical center. These cranes are used in the construction of the BIG projects such as: refineries, bridges, power plants, erecting wind turbines, and commercial buildings including hospitals. If one is interested in the cost of one of these behemoth crawlers cranes, the price is not stated on the specs. Usually, there is one word where the price would normally be posted. That word is: “Inquire.” The photos in this blog will place the visitor right in the cab of the north crawler crane.

A view from the cab’s door: Lead operator, Don, works the foot pedal controls and the joy stick controls (out of view) as the crane lifts a steel column. Note the three screen panel dash board, which visually depicts every aspect of the cranes operation.

To the right of the operator, on the post between the windshield and the side window, there are two color screens. These screens provide the operator with a visual of the cable drums while they are in operation. The top screen is in split screen mode. Cameras are positioned around the crane to allow the operator, with a push of a button, to switch to another section of the crane.

In living color: Below the two color screens is a small remote console, which can be removed from its holder to allow the operator to control the crane while standing on the ground.

Between the right armrest and the right window another control panel is positioned. A smaller screen provides active diagrams, in black and white, of what the buttons control.

At the end of the right armrest is a joy stick along with a small screen and a touch pad.

At the end of the left armrest is a joy stick along with a small screen and a touch pad. The depressions on the joy sticks have a function.

The comforts of an automobile: A Bluetooth KENWOOD stereo radio is positioned in the console just below the center screen.

The view from the operators seat: Beyond the white truck is the staging yard from where the steel is picked. Note the large black-and-white computer screens that are nicely positioned in front of the crane operator.

A Closeup of the Three Console Screens

The left screen.

The Center Screen.

The Right Screen.