The new crane will be used specifically for concrete wind tower erection, with boom lengths ranging from 105 to 129m (344 – 423ft.).

This addition will strengthen Mammoet’s position in the local wind market, which is one of the fastest growing in South America thanks to government investment.

The new generation of wind turbines now debuting in Brazil is getting larger and heavier, says Mammoet, as developers increase the use of concrete sections in hybrid towers. These concrete tower sections, which are poured on site, can be two to three times heavier than their steel counterparts.

This means crawler cranes are used more frequently for projects with concrete towers, so that the sections can be lifted and tracked across the hardstand into their final installation positions. The increase in component weight also means developers can find themselves choosing from a smaller pool of lifting equipment, as cranes in the 600t-750t capacity range are often already at work in other sectors.

The crane is currently on site to complete its first tasks at the Cajuina Wind Farm in Angicos region, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The Cajuina Wind Farm will be comprised of 55 wind turbine generators (WTGs) which will have a total capacity of 314 Megawatts.