April 20 - A hydraulic crane shipped from Belgium in late March has arrived in South Africa and becomes the largest capacity hydraulic crane in the country according to sources.

The Demag AC 650 has been delivered to Sarens South Africa, the heavy lifting, projects and mobile crane hire group, giving South Africa its first nine-axle, 720 tonnes hydraulic crane, equipped with 160 tonne counterweight, 96m luffing jib, a lifting height of 140m and a 60m main boom.

The crane arrived in Durban harbour on board the vehicle carrier Tarifa and has been provided by Sarens Belgium. 

It is understood that the crane has not been imported for specific projects, but Sarens South Africa anticipates its use in larger petrochemical projects, which require the lifting of heavier vessels and are more challenging in terms of reach and radius, as well as construction and windmill projects.