Robust access solutions for off-highway crane
1 min read
One of the world's leading manufacturers of off-highway equipment, Liebherr, has turned to Southco for the provision of C2 lever latches for the external locker doors of its mobile cranes.
These lockers are closed storage compartments where crane operators store clothes, tools and other equipment. Due to the dusty and humid working environment of the cranes, Liebherr enhanced the requirements for the latches by specifying a number of essential features.
Dirk Hermann, Key Account Manager at Southco, explained: "Liebherr was looking for robust latches that would be dust-tight and waterproof according to IP 54 and also highly protected against corrosion. Furthermore, Liebherr wanted them to combine with a locking cylinder belonging to the lock set used in every part of the vehicle.
Additionally, they required locking and non-locking styles, each with a prominent release button. The locking version of the latch also needed to incorporate a red protective cap in order for Liebherr to be able to easily insert their locking cylinder, once the testing of a new vehicle has been completed and it has been released. It was also essential that the latches could withstand a temperature range from minus 40 to plus 80 degrees Celsius."
Southco demonstrated that they were not only able to comply with the extensive and challenging specifications set by Liebherr, but could even outperform these, by providing for a tested dust and water proof to IP 65. Southco developed a sealed version of the standard C2 compression latch by adapting the proven design of the Southco C5 compression latch with an O-ring seal for added protection against water and dust.
Additionally, a prominent release button, which could be used equally for the versions with or without locking cylinders, had been developed in robust die cast zinc. This provided protection from vandalism and, due to its high quality powder coating, also provided protection from scratches on the surface.
As far as visual appearance, mounting dimensions, grip range and mounting style are concerned the new latch is identical to the old one and can therefore be easily integrated into existing applications. Furthermore, the new latch has been provided with a dampening and material protecting neoprene cap on the adjusting screw.
Before installing the latches on its cranes, Liebherr carried out extensive tests of the latch regarding its dust and water proofness. Also, the company undertook extensive salt-spray test that successfully confirmed the corrosion resistance of the C2 latch, as well as tests of the required operating temperature.
