The units will be supplied as part of a tender to replace old loader cranes, won by Prosutec and Air Rail in February. The deal value is €1.7m.

The order includes units of the Hiab X-Rail 192, the first model of a series of loader cranes designed specifically for the rail segment. This model is based on the medium range X-HiPro 192 and will be manufactured at Hiab’s multi-assembly unit in Zaragoza, Spain. The other units supplied will be of the X-HiDuo 118 model with specific modifications for use with railway maintenance.

The cranes will be installed on draisines to be used to maintain railways, predominantly lifting and unloading materials such as rails and sleepers either by hook or grapple. All units will be equipped with Hiab’s connected service HiConnect.

Santiago Faraldo, technical advisor at Prosutec, said: “One of the main reasons we chose Hiab was because of their extensive service network in Spain and Europe, and that the HiConnect service ensures the maximum productivity for our customers. I have over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing and maintenance of rail road and road vehicles, my experience with Hiab cranes has always been good, as well as with Multilift demountables.”

“The Spanish climate can be challenging from extreme heat to prolonged rainfalls along the Atlantic coast, but on the road or on the tracks Hiab can deliver productivity and safe operation day after day, night after night to help keep the railway running. We’re very happy that our cranes were selected and look forward to servicing them for years to come to provide the maximum uptime,” said Ronald Verzijl, managing director, Hiab Iberia.