Third mammoth PTC launched

On 22 April Mammoet in the Netherlands introduced its third PTC (Platform Twinring Containerized) heavy lift crane, writes Gino Koster. The huge 1600 tonne capacity crane was again built in close co-operation with Huisman-Itrec in Schiedam, the Netherlands.

The official introduction also marked the beginning of an extensive series of test lifts to be conducted according to international standards and carried out under the supervision of a team of international surveyors and inspectors. The first test was a 2000 tonne lift on the 67 m long main boom at a radius of 17.1 m. The tests will include main boom and luffing jib configurations up to 200 m overall height.

Like Mammoet's other PTCs the ringer has an outer diameter of 21.5 m. Supporting the crane are 24 hydraulic cylinders evenly distributed around the ringer. Minimum slewing radius over the rear-mounted ballast is 13.85 m, which can be increased to 15.19 m when using the SuperLift. The PTC carries a maximum ballast of 1500 tonnes. Available main boom configurations are from 49.4 up to 97.3 m and, in combination with a luffing jib and runner, they can be up to about 200 m.

A complicated refinery lift in Brazil will be the crane's first destination. The crane has been designed for efficient transport and shipping. Its parts fit in and on to each other in such a way that they form standardized 20 or 40 ft container-size units. Depending on the configuration the PTC ships in a maximum of 88 units, each with a maximum weight of 30.4 tonnes, and none of them oversize.