Rubino: Monadelphous redefines heavy lifting with a historic debut. When Monadelphous set out to deliver one of the most complex and high-impact shutdowns in its history, it needed more than experience and planning – it needed power on a scale rarely seen in Australia.
Enter Rubino, a 1600 tonne Tadano CC88. 1600-1 crawler crane that has redefined heavy lifting in the Southern Hemisphere.
Named in honour of the late John Rubino, Monadelphous’ longtime chairman and the driving force behind the company’s growth for more than three decades, this crane is more than a machine – it’s a statement of capability, ambition, and engineering excellence.
Operational debut: precision meets power at CD3
Rubino’s operational debut came on a project that underscored the sheer scale of Western Australia’s iron ore operations: BHP’s Car Dumper 3 (CD3) Renewal at Port Hedland. As one of five car dumpers operating across BHP’s Nelson Point and Finucane Island sites, CD3 plays a critical role in maintaining seamless ore flow from pit to port. Extending its operational life required a mega maintenance effort, and a crane capable of lifting loads beyond ordinary limits.
The scale of the renewal meant success hinged on Rubino’s unrivalled strength and precision. Commissioned for the project and contracted through Monadelphous, Rubino boasts a staggering 1600 tonne load capacity – equivalent to lifting three Boeing 747s – supported by 1155 tonnes of counterweight.
Across a meticulously planned 50-day shutdown, Rubino executed the hero lift: a 452.5 tonne rotary cell at a 37.5 metre radius. The result was a flawless lift and a shutdown completed 92 hours ahead of schedule, delivering additional throughput and setting a new benchmark for execution.
“Standing next to one of these rotary cells really puts the scale of what we do into perspective – it’s absolutely massive,” said Simon Mollica, BHP Head of Asset Projects WAIO. “Seeing Rubino lift it into place makes you realise just how much muscle it takes to keep the Pilbara firing. The team did an incredible job – it’s the skills, the planning and the teamwork that comes together to make it all happen.”
Behind the achievement: a project of scale and collaboration
Monadelphous has a long history of delivering multi-disciplinary engineering construction projects and maintenance projects to BHP with many of these projects requiring significant craneage.
The project aimed to replace ageing rotary cells and critical electrical infrastructure with a newly designed Single Tandem Rotary cell to extend the life of CD3 and support production by maximising productivity for future ore types. The Monadelphous and BHP project teams jointly developed an innovative and scalable solution during the planning phase of the CD3 Renewal Project. At the heart of this solution was the strategic procurement of a 1600-tonne Tadano crane, one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Rubino represents our commitment to innovation, safety, and productivity, and it sets a new benchmark for heavy lifting in Australia,” said Lorna Rechichi, General Manager Strategy and Growth, Monadelphous.
Planning and precision: delivering the perfect lift
This lift demanded millimetre tolerances, a bespoke rigging arrangement, and absolute control from hook-up to set-down. Site constraints added complexity: the crane’s location had to avoid critical underground services, limiting the footprint and demanding careful choreography.
“Our engineering team spent months refining the approach, producing detailed 3D models and lift studies, and working closely with BHP to align on every detail,” said Lorna. “That collaboration ensured the lift was executed safely and seamlessly.”
Preparation began months in advance. Practice runs and radius checks confirmed clearances for the hook and Superlift tray. Once connected to the cell, Rubino took the weight and lifted just clear of the transport frame, holding steady while teams verified all weights and ensured the orientation was perfect for installation.
“Every lift we undertake is backed by detailed lift studies and engineered methodologies,” Lorna said. “For Rubino’s debut, we developed a comprehensive sequence, reviewed and approved by the client, and communicated it to everyone involved. Before the lift, the crew met to confirm roles, positions, and responsibilities, and we established trunked radio comms between the operator and rigging team. The lift was executed exactly as intended –with no surprises.”
Monadelphous deployed a highly skilled operations team, backed by experienced engineers, to ensure every move was planned, verified, and precise. Rubino performed flawlessly. “The crane’s precision, stability, and reliability validated our decision to invest in this capability,” Lorna added.
Feedback from operators has been overwhelmingly positive. Crews praised Rubino’s smooth operation, advanced safety features and overall reliability, and take pride in its upkeep and maintenance, ensuring Rubino remains in peak condition.
Monadelphous and Tadano
Monadelphous and Tadano have enjoyed a strong working relationship for well over a decade. Over that time, they’ve built a partnership based on trust, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to delivering safe and innovative lifting solutions.
“That history gave us confidence when selecting Tadano as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), knowing we could rely on their support throughout the entire process,” Lorna said.
She said what Monadelphous values most about Tadano is its responsiveness and depth of expertise.
“From an engineering perspective, their support is outstanding. They’re always available, proactive, and quick to provide technical input when needed. That level of accessibility and collaboration gives us confidence that we can tackle complex lifts safely and efficiently.
“For the CD3 Renewal Project, the Tadano team worked with us from the outset, responding to technical queries and helping develop the crane specifications we needed to deliver this scope and beyond. They provided comprehensive training to our team and have continued to offer support whenever required.”
Tadano’s technical expertise was integral to the success of the project. From planning through execution and post-lift support, the team worked closely with Monadelphous to ensure every aspect of the lift was safe, precise, and aligned with project requirements.
“That level of collaboration gave us confidence in both the equipment and the strategy, and it was a key factor in delivering such a complex lift flawlessly,” said Lorna.
Why the Tadano CC88.1600-1
“When evaluating options, we needed a crane that could deliver exceptional capacity, reliability, and safety for one of the most complex lifts in our history,” Lorna explained. “The Tadano CC88.1600-1 stood out for its proven performance, advanced safety systems, and adaptability for large scale projects.
“Combined with Tadano’s comprehensive support, Rubino was the clear choice, not just for CD3, but as a long-term asset for future heavy lift work.”
Ready for the next generation
Rubino’s debut has positioned it as a cornerstone of Monadelphous’ heavy lift capability.
“We see strong demand for this crane in upcoming car dumper upgrades and largescale infrastructure works,” said Lorna. “Rubino’s versatility makes it ideal for sectors where complex lifts are critical – power generation, heavy industry, major infrastructure, and renewable energy including onshore and offshore wind.
“From acquisition to operational debut, Rubino not only delivered exactly what it was brought in to do, it raised the bar. It has proven Monadelphous’ strategy of investing in capability, partnering deeply with OEMs, and self-performing high-risk, high-impact lifts that unlock schedule, safety and productivity benefits for customers.”
But, she ssaid Rubino is more than a crane – it’s a symbol of Monadelphous’ vision and capability.
“John Rubino was passionate about cranes and believed that investing in our own fleet would allow Monadelphous to self-perform, demonstrate leading capability, and be a source of pride for our workforce,” Lorna reflected. “This crane embodies that vision.”
As Monadelphous looks ahead – from major mining and energy developments to renewables and infrastructure – Rubino stands ready to deliver lifts that were once unimaginable and creating a blueprint for future upgrades. It signals a new era for heavy industry in Australia, built on decades of experience, engineering excellence, and the pursuit of innovation.
“Rubino isn’t just lifting loads – it’s lifting expectations.”