Why was the Riga Mainz “LGD1800 ‘Spacelifter’” so called?
This crane was actually a LG 1550. Riga Mainz (of Mainz, Germany) had decided when they bought it, that for marketing reasons it was to be given the designation “LGD1800” to move around the supposed backward step of a “1,000 t Crane” (the Gottwald AMK 1000-103) which the Spacelifter replaced. But it was actually a step forward for Riga, as you will see below. “LGD” refers to the possibility for use of the derrick superlift mast with ballast. The “1800” part arose due to the fact that with the superlift derrick mast the LG 1550 achieves lifting capacities normally attained by 800–1,000 t cranes (880–1,100 sht), therefore it can be classed as a 800 t crane. Meanwhile, the Spacelifter has been sold.
