Why Tecmaco chose a 3,000 tonne capacity wheeled crane

Erected with the long lattice jib and boom guying system for wind work. Photo: Tecmaco

Tecmaco in Argentina has added a new giant to its crane rental fleet in the form of a 3,000 tonne capacity telescopic boom wheeled mobile crane.

The crane is the first of its kind and the largest in the country, making it a major milestone.

Tecmaco has six depots in Argentina, employs 260 people and operates a wheeled mobile crane fleet of 118 units and 14 lattice boom cranes. Over the last 12 months the focus has been on updating the Tecmaco fleet with several new cranes, including this new XCA3000 from XCMG in China.

The fleet expansion is reflected in its ranking in this year’s IC100 table of the world’s largest crane-owning companies. It climbed an impressive 12 places to 98th in the world, up from 110th place last year. The company’s IC Index was 65,281 points, up 33 per cent on its 49,043 total last year, having added multiple new cranes.

Background on the decision to buy such a large crane, which runs on a ten axle carrier, is centred around the wind energy sector. Wind turbines continue to increase in size and generating capacity and this is expected to continue, especially when looking at the models being developed in China and the expectation that similar wind farms will be built in Argentina, the company said.

Putting the new giant’s telescopic boom together for the first time. Photo: Tecmaco

Future-proofing

“For this reason, Tecmaco decided to anticipate future market requirements by incorporating the type of crane currently used in China for the installation of large-scale wind turbines,” explained Daiana Zimmermann, Tecmaco chief technical officer.

In 2024 Tecmaco visited XCMG in China to learn more about the product. The crane was examined there at the factory and at the Bauma China trade fair in Shanghai in November.

“The equipment was selected because it offers more than twice the lifting capacity of the LR 1700 [Liebherr lattice boom crawler crane] for wind turbine installation projects. It can also move more quickly and efficiently from one turbine location to another during wind farm construction,” Zimmermann continued.

The new crane can lift 190 tonnes to a height of 160 metres. Looking at the maximum load moment ratings, however, the wheeled mobile crane is around 5,300 tonne-metres while a 700 tonne capacity lattice boom crawler crane, such as the LR 1700, is more than 9,500 tonne-metres.

Flexibility for wind turbine repair operations was another contributory factor to the decision. “It requires fewer heavy-haul trailers than a 700 tonne crawler crane,” Zimmermann said, reducing transport costs. “The crane combines greater lifting capacity with significantly faster relocation between turbine positions.”

Full package

Wind turbine work is a primary target market for this crane. Photo: Tecmaco

The XCA3000BR was ordered with a full set of configuration options, broadening its application beyond wind work to include large-scale construction projects and industrial operations. Included was a luffing jib, superlift and a wind turbine jib.

The basic five section main boom is 68.6 metres long. The wind power boom, in this case a lattice extension of the telescopic boom with a short runner, gives a total reach of 120 metres and the luffing jib is up to 90 metres. Total counterweight is 340 tonnes.

Tecmaco agreed with XCMG for two of its operators and two mechanics to complete an intensive one-month training programme in China. It covered configuration testing, maintenance, safe operation and learning the technical characteristics of the equipment.

Major test lift for Tecmaco’s new 3,000 tonne capacity giant wheeled crane from China. Photo: Tecmaco

First assembly

The 3,000 tonner was recently erected for the first time. Transporting the crane from the port to Tecmaco’s operating base required a total of 44 truck journeys using hydraulic modular trailers, mechanical heavy-haul trailers and semi-trailers.

The erection team in the field consists of a supervisor, an operator and four assistants. It also requires auxiliary equipment, including two all terrain cranes with capacities of 200 and 300 tonnes, a 70 tonne rough terrain crane, a 24 metre aerial work platform, an 8 tonne telescopic handler and two 80 metre extendable heavy-haul trailers.

Tecmaco operates a fleet of more than 150 wheeled mobile and crawler cranes. It supports industrial, energy, oil and gas, mining, port and infrastructure projects. Capabilities extend beyond equipment rental to include engineering, logistics, operators, maintenance, transport, lift planning and technical development.