• Good experience with the LTM 1500-8.1 and a great deal of confidence in Liebherr were the  main reasons behind the decision
• Versatility in action – from wind farms to jobs in the oil and gas industry

Crane and passenger transport contractor Transnacional has taken delivery of a used Liebherr  LTM 1500-8.1 mobile crane. The 8-axle 500 tonne crane was supplied by Liebherr-Ibérica, S.L from Spain to the company based in the north-east of Brazil. The versatility of the LTM 1500-8.1  and the company’s deep confidence in the Liebherr brand were the main criteria behind the decision.

Transnacional has been in business in Brazil for over 35  years. A wide-ranging crane fleet is enabling the company to expand its areas of work to the wind power  industry. Transnational has already had plenty of good experience with Liebherr LTM 1500-8.1 all-terrain  crane and was therefore looking for another Liebherr 500 tonne crane to add to its fleet. Liebherr was  able to offer a used crane of this type and therefore react quickly to the enquiry. 

“Our team has been using the LTM 1500-8.1 in various markets for around 15 years”, says Napoleão  Luna, Commercial Director at Transnacional. “We can offer our customers bespoke solutions in view of  its wide range of configurations, the ability to move the fully erected crane and its high lifting capacities.  That makes the LTM 1500-8.1 an outstanding machine for Transnacional.” 

Used crane proves to be a good alternative 

When the company contacted Liebherr, it was looking for an affordable LTM 1500 8.1 with a short  delivery time. Liebherr therefore suggested the purchase of a second-hand crane that offered the  desired performance, durability and reliability and could also be delivered quickly. 

Liebherr Brasil then found the ideal crane for its customer at Liebherr-Ibérica S.L. in Spain. “Our aim is to  satisfy our customers’ needs. Access to the global Liebherr sales and service network for used machines  opens up a whole new range of opportunities”, says Rene Porto, Mobile and Crawler Cranes Division  Manager at Liebherr in Brazil. 

Liebherr’s global network makes it possible to look for cranes all over the world so that we can offer  customers an ideal solution. “The lower cost of a used crane, particularly in view of the current exchange  rates in our country, are a great advantage for our customers”, continues Porto. “Not only does Liebherr  sell used cranes, but it can also value customers’ existing cranes on site so that they can be used in part  exchange for a new crane.

We also have a modern and complete service engineering area to serve our customers, prepared to  carry out repairs or complete overhauls on the cranes.” 

LTM 1500-8.1 is suitable for a wide range of possible uses 

Discussing his company’s latest purchase, Napoleão Luna says: “We bought the crane with a complete  configuration. We are mainly focused on the market for renewable energies, particularly projects  involving the installation of new wind farms and for maintenance and repair work on wind turbines.

As our crane operators are already familiar with the LTM 1500-8.1, we are well prepared for these types of  jobs. They can be very complex as a result of the altitude, loads and the strength of the wind. Thanks to  the machine’s versatility, we also already have enquiries from customers in the mining, oil and gas and  industrial plant maintenance sectors.” 

Napoleão Luna points out that in addition to the versatility of the LTM 1500-8.1 and the company’s  familiarity with this crane model, the reliability and safety of Liebherr cranes, the company’s good  relationship with the after sales team at Liebherr Brasil and the ready availability of spare parts were also  major criteria behind the decision to choose Liebherr.

“And our decision has proven to be absolutely  correct to date – despite the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Liebherr Brasil and Liebherr-Ibérica kept all their promises, which always seemed to be in jeopardy, even when faced with a  snowstorm which hit Spain very hard right in the middle of the delivery process.

Nevertheless, we  received the crane and all the equipment in excellent condition. So now we are looking forward to the  next step in our partnership with Liebherr, which will probably see us purchase another large crane in the  near future.” 

Transnacional was founded over 35 years ago in Fortaleza in the north-east of Brazil by Julio Cesar  Mourão, the company’s current Chairman. Originally, the company was focused on passenger transport. When looking for ways to diversify the business and put it on a more professional footing, Transnacional also started to invest in crane rental. The company now has a strong presence in both segments and by  implementing quality, safety and environmental controls, it has become a benchmark company on the  Brazilian market.