SANY STC900T Truck Crane Enables Construction of Spectacular Glass Lookout Above Brazil’s Avencal Waterfall

Engineering Marvel Rises in Urubici: STC900T Crane Lifts Tourism to New Heights

The picturesque city of Urubici, nestled in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, has long captivated visitors with its breathtaking landscapes and invigorating cold climate. Now, this charming destination boasts a groundbreaking new attraction—the awe-inspiring Glass Lookout at Parque Mundo Novo, suspended dramatically above the majestic Avencal Waterfall. The construction of this architectural wonder, which began in June 2023, required precision engineering and robust lifting equipment, a challenge masterfully met by the SANY STC900T truck crane. Operated by the experienced company Guinchos e Guindastes Schmitt, the STC900T played an indispensable role in the safe and efficient assembly of the lookout’s critical components, demonstrating its capabilities in a demanding and environmentally sensitive setting.

This project not only enhances Urubici’s tourist appeal but also stands as a testament to the successful fusion of advanced machinery with natural beauty. The STC900T, with its 90-ton maximum capacity and high-strength steel structure, was specifically chosen for its reliability and power, ensuring that the delicate installation process above a 101.4-meter waterfall proceeded without incident. The successful completion of the Glass Lookout underscores SANY’s commitment to supporting infrastructure projects that push the boundaries of design and accessibility, providing equipment that contractors can trust in the most challenging conditions.

The SANY STC900T truck crane positioned at the edge of the canyon during the initial phases of the Glass Lookout construction.

The Natural Canvas: Avencal Waterfall and “Funnel River”

The name “Avencal” is poetically derived from the avenca plant, a delicate fern species native to this lush region of Santa Catarina. The waterfall is fed by the Rio do Funil, or “Funnel River,” a name that vividly alludes to the imposing semicircular rock wall that channels the water into a powerful, plunging cascade. Standing at an impressive 101.4 meters (approximately 333 feet) tall, the Avencal Waterfall has been a central natural attraction for decades, drawing nature lovers, hikers, and photographers to witness its raw power and beauty.

The decision to construct the Glass Lookout directly above this natural wonder was driven by a vision to offer visitors a unique, immersive perspective without compromising the site’s ecological integrity. The engineering team faced significant challenges, including unstable cliff edges, variable weather conditions, and the need to minimize environmental disruption. This context made the selection of lifting equipment critical; the machinery needed to be powerful yet precise, stable on uneven terrain, and capable of handling large structural elements with minimal footprint. The STC900T crane from SANY emerged as the ideal solution, meeting all these stringent requirements.

The construction of the access roads and crane pad itself was a feat, requiring careful planning to protect the local flora. The STC900T’s mobility as a truck crane allowed it to be transported to the remote site and set up efficiently, a factor that significantly accelerated the project timeline. Its presence at the Urubici site marked a pivotal moment, showcasing how modern industrial equipment can operate in harmony with sensitive ecosystems to create sustainable tourism infrastructure.

The Visitor Experience: Walking on Air Above the Canyon

The completed Glass Lookout is an engineering and aesthetic triumph. Extending more than 7 meters in length from the cliff face and suspended approximately 110 meters above the canyon floor, the transparent walkway offers visitors the unparalleled sensation of floating amidst the vastness of the natural chasm. As visitors step onto the reinforced glass panels, they are treated to a direct, unobstructed view of the thundering Avencal Waterfall below and the sweeping, forested vistas of the surrounding Serrana region.

The experience is designed to be both thrilling and safe, invoking a profound sense of awe and connection with nature. The walkway’s structure, comprising high-grade tempered glass and a steel framework, was meticulously assembled piece by piece. Each major segment, some weighing several tons, had to be lifted, held steady in the frequent canyon winds, and secured with pinpoint accuracy. This was the precise task for which the STC900T crane was deployed. Its precise load control and stability systems were instrumental in positioning these heavy components, ensuring the structural integrity that guarantees visitor safety today.

Local tourism authorities anticipate that the Glass Lookout will become a flagship attraction for southern Brazil, boosting the regional economy and promoting ecological awareness. The project aligns with a growing global trend of creating “edge-walk” experiences that combine adventure tourism with architectural innovation, and none could be realized without the silent, powerful workhorse of the construction phase: the reliable crane.

The STC900T performs a critical lift, maneuvering a large section of the walkway into position high above the canyon.

The STC900T Crane: A Key Component in Precision Assembly

The assembly of the Glass Lookout presented a unique set of challenges that demanded more than just brute lifting force. The team from Guinchos e Guindastes Schmitt needed a crane that offered exceptional control, reach, and reliability. The SANY STC900T truck crane, with its maximum capacity of 90 tons, was selected for its proven performance in complex lifting scenarios. Its high-strength steel boom provided the necessary reach to position components from a safe distance on the cliff top, avoiding the need for risky positioning directly over the precipice.

One of the most critical lifts involved the main supporting trusses of the walkway. These sections, pre-fabricated off-site, were delivered in large modules. The STC900T’s sophisticated load moment indicator and precise hydraulic controls allowed operators to swing these multi-ton pieces over the open canyon and lower them gently onto their mounting points, where welding and bolting crews waited. The crane’s stability was paramount, as winds funneling through the canyon could create sudden lateral forces. The STC900T’s outrigger system and robust chassis provided a stable platform that instilled confidence in the entire construction team.

The project manager from Guinchos e Guindastes Schmitt highlighted the crane’s performance, noting, “In an environment where safety is non-negotiable and margins for error are zero, the STC900T operated flawlessly. Its intuitive controls and safety features allowed our operators to focus on the task, not fight the machine.” This successful application of the STC900T in Urubici adds to a growing portfolio of SANY cranes enabling innovative construction projects across Latin America, proving their adaptability to both urban jungles and natural wonders.

SANY STC900T Technical Specifications and Project Parameters

Economic and Tourism Impact for Urubici and Beyond

The inauguration of the Glass Lookout is poised to generate significant economic benefits for Urubici and the broader Santa Catarina state. Already a popular destination for ecotourism and adventure sports, the city now possesses a unique landmark that differentiates it from other mountain towns. Local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and transportation services, anticipate a substantial increase in visitor numbers, particularly during the peak seasons.

The project also highlights a sustainable model for tourism development. By creating a high-impact attraction with a relatively small physical footprint, the environmental cost is minimized while the economic yield is maximized. The use of reliable, efficient equipment like the STC900T during construction further contributed to this sustainability by reducing the overall project duration and potential for environmental disturbance from prolonged site activity.

As word spreads through travel media and visitor reviews, the Glass Lookout is expected to draw international tourists, putting Urubici on the global map for innovative architectural tourism. This success story may inspire similar projects in other scenic locations across Brazil and South America, creating a ripple effect of investment and job creation in the construction and hospitality sectors. In this context, the role of robust, adaptable construction machinery cannot be overstated—it is the foundational tool that turns ambitious blueprints into breathtaking reality.

Conclusion: A New Icon, Powered by Precision Engineering

The Glass Lookout at Parque Mundo Novo stands as a magnificent new icon for Brazilian tourism, a testament to human ingenuity that complements rather than conquers the natural splendor of the Avencal Waterfall. Its successful construction story is inseparably linked to the capabilities of the SANY STC900T truck crane. From lifting the first steel beam to positioning the final glass panel, the STC900T provided the muscle, stability, and precision required to execute this daring project safely and efficiently.

This achievement in Urubici reinforces SANY’s position as a global leader in providing construction solutions for extraordinary challenges. It demonstrates that whether in bustling city centers or atop remote, breathtaking canyons, SANY equipment delivers the performance that project teams and communities can depend on. For future visitors who will walk the glass path and capture its beauty, the memory will be of nature’s power and architectural wonder—but behind that experience is the unseen, reliable force of machinery like the STC900T, making the impossible possible.

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