Blade replacement at a wind farm – tandem hoist by Liebherr mobile cranes

In September, Grúas Ibarrondo replaced three rotor blades on an SG 4.X wind turbine, each measuring 64.5 metres in length and weighing in at 24 tonnes, with new rotor blades with a larger span, a length of 71.5 metres and weighing 22.5 tonnes each. The job at the Experimental Cener-Alaiz wind farm in Navarra was carried out using two Liebherr mobile cranes, the 9-axle LTM 1750-9.1 and the first 8-axle LTM 1650-8.1 in Spain. The project was “part of maintenance work which was carried out under the preventative service contract with our customer”, explains Mikel Ibarrondo, General Manager of Grúas Ibarrondo.

The Liebherr mobile cranes worked in tandem using a hook height of 130 metres. “Liebherr mobile cranes are ideal for wind energy projects of this type as they are manoeuvrable and easy to position. They also deliver the required height and lifting capacity”, continues Mikel Ibarrondo. One of the major challenges for this job was to reach the specified height whilst also ensuring that the required lifting capacity could be delivered at that height. Furthermore, the cranes had to be controlled very sensitively as they had to install the turbine blades in tandem.

Grúas Ibarrondo has always pursued a policy of the continuous modernisation of its fleet with the aim of providing its customers with excellent service quality using its technically up to date and well-maintained fleet. The company has worked with Liebherr cranes for many years for this reason and to date has certainly recorded a great deal of positive experience. “The products developed and manufactured with the Liebherr brand deliver premium technology and quality and guarantee us having a reliable partner at our side in the long term”, says Ibarrondo finally. One of the key factors behind its trust in Liebherr is the outstanding customer service, which is provided in Spain by Liebherr Ibérica and gives the company the facility to obtain support at any time and in any place, which is particularly helpful as the cranes often have to work in challenging environments. The company’s fleet consists of 66 cranes, 41 of which are Liebherr cranes, including almost every model in the LTM mobile crane series as well as a 750 tonne LG 1750 lattice boom crane.