For anyone who’s ever laid eyes on a LeTourneau L1850 front end loader, their first impression is usually that of amazement and awe. The LeTourneau L1850 weighs 230t and stands over 20ft high. Now, for anyone who’s actually stood beside one, the feeling of small would be considered a gross understatement.

The L1850s are imported into Australia and widely used throughout our mining and quarry industries. They’re imported from overseas, assembled locally and then transported to their destination. In this case, LeTourneau required a heavy lift and shift provider to assist in the assembly, transportation and installation of the most critical component of the L1850, its 175t main frame.

LeTourneau engaged Muswellbrook Cranes Services (MCS) to undertake this project after a careful selection process. MCS has an enviable reputation for delivering on previous heavy lift and shift projects, which along with its efficient methodologies and thorough pre-planning processes, provided LeTourneau with the confidence of the standard and reliability of service. In order to meet LeTourneau’s objectives, MCS was required to transport the main frame from Muswellbrook to Bulga Mine for final assembly of the main frame and associated components.

The heavy haul unit was MCS’s heaviest ever hauled load at a combined weight of 345t, and needed to be carefully navigated 90km along narrow and steep sections of the Golden Highway in the Hunter Valley region of NSW. With the entire process having to be achieved within the allocated timeframe of one and a half days, MCS was left with a very large task at hand.