Liebherr has reworked its four-axle mobile construction crane for markets with tighter road limits than Europe. The MK 88-4.2E, announced on 5 November as the successor to the MK 88-4.1E, can travel on public roads at less than 9.2 tonnes per axle and under 36.3 tonnes gross weight.
The lifting side is unchanged. The crane still handles up to 8 tonnes and 2.2 tonnes at the jib tip at 45 metres radius, with a maximum hook height of 59.1 metres when the jib is luffed to 45 degrees. Liebherr says the boom system is largely carried over.
Three road configurations
What is new sits below the slew ring. The carrier and counterweight have been redesigned so the machine can be configured for 12 tonne, 10 tonne or sub-9.2 tonne axle loads. In the lightest set-up the counterweight comes off in sections and the outrigger beams are removed.
| MK 88-4.1E | MK 88-4.2E | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum capacity | 8 t | 8 t |
| Jib tip capacity at 45 m | 2.2 t | 2.2 t |
| Maximum hook height | 59.1 m | 59.1 m |
| Counterweight | fixed | sectional, removable |
| Self-ballasting | no | optional |
Other changes
An optional self-ballasting system lets the crane place its own counterweight in two or three lifts, using cylinders built into the chassis – a first for the MK range, according to the manufacturer. Wider 445/75 R22.5 tyres on aluminium rims are aimed, the company says, at markets such as Australia, Denmark and the USA.
On site the crane runs electrically from a 16 amp connection as standard, with 32 and 63 amp options, and outrigger and ballasting functions can now also be powered from the mains or a battery pack. The turning circle is 11.88 metres.
Series deliveries are due from the second quarter of 2027. Liebherr has not given a price, nor said how many support vehicles the lightest travel configuration needs.
Source: Liebherr