Largest Cranes In The World

Mediapayperlead-com December 11, 2024

Meta Description: Discover the world’s largest cranes, marvels of modern engineering with unprecedented lifting capacities. Explore their significance and contributions across diverse industries.

The largest cranes in operation today push the very boundaries of modern engineering. Capable of lifting payloads over 5000 tons to heights surpassing 300 meters, these machines play a vital role in constructing mega projects across industries.

This article discusses eight cranes that stand above the rest due to their unprecedented lifting capabilities, from powerful crawlers and floating rigs to specialized designs.

Key Takeaways

The largest cranes can lift loads over 5000 tons, with some setting records by lifting to heights exceeding 300 meters.
Crawler, floating, and specialized ring cranes are among the designs for these mega machines.
Manufacturers worldwide produce cranes with lifting capacities ranging from 1000 to 5000 tons.
Applications for the enormous cranes include constructing oil rigs, wind farms, skyscrapers, and power/desalination plants across challenging job sites.

Understanding The Biggest Cranes in The World

The biggest cranes in the world are true feats of mechanical engineering that can deliver unprecedented lifting capacities of over 500 tons. Known as ring cranes or gantry cranes, these massive machines utilize high-strength steel and powerful engines to lift incredible weights at heights over 250 meters, setting Guinness world records in both maximum height and lifting capacity during their construction of nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs, and other mega projects.

The 8 Largest Cranes In The World

The biggest cranes in the world are true marvels of modern engineering that can lift incredible weights at towering heights. These mega machines often set records for maximum lifting capacity and height across the construction, oil/gas, and power industries. Here are the eight largest:

1. Manitowoc 31000

The Manitowoc 31000 crawler crane has an incredible lifting capacity of 2300 tons and can operate at heights over 200 meters. Powered by twin Cummins diesel engines generating 600 horsepower, this machine utilizes advanced high-strength steel. It features an enclosed cab with amenities to safely lift components for massive buildings, offshore oil rigs, and nuclear power plants.

Its compact yet powerful design allows operations across challenging job sites with lifting needs in confined locations.

2. ALE AL.SK350

The ALE AL.SK350 super heavy lifter is considered the most prominent land-based crane in the world, with an unprecedented lifting capacity of 5000 tons. ALE began constructing this ring crane behemoth in 2012 by adding additional structural parts to their AL.SK190 crane, which could already lift 4300 tons.

In September 2016, the AL.SK350 underwent load testing of its total 5000-ton capacity using strand jacks and a 2000-ton winch. Its 141-meter-long main boom and 120-meter permanent jib allow for lifting components at multiple locations across massive job sites.

With its 77% larger load moment than competitors, the AL.SK350 remains an engineering marvel essential for constructing mega projects like nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs, and the world’s tallest buildings.

3. Liebherr LR 11000

The Liebherr LR 11000 is a powerful crawler crane manufactured by Liebherr, a renowned German-Swiss company known for its engineering tradition in heavy machinery production.

Powered by an 8-cylinder, 680-horsepower diesel engine, the LR 11000 can lift loads of up to 1000 metric tons at heights over 220 meters.

Its versatile boom configurations allow it to operate in multiple lifting locations across challenging job sites. Whether in ports, power plants, construction sites, or other industries, the LR 11000 delivers.

Advanced high-strength steel and a compact yet robust design allow the LR 11000 to lift heavy components in confined work areas. Its lattice boom pieces slide together efficiently to save space during transport.

Regularly used in Liebherr’s home markets of Europe and the Middle East, the LR 11000 is also exported worldwide, playing a crucial role in erecting massive buildings, bridges, offshore oil rigs, and other mega projects.

4. Terex/Demag CC 8800-1 TWIN

The Terex/Demag CC 8800-1 TWIN is one of the most powerful crawler cranes today, with a maximum lifting capacity of 3500 tons. It features a 383-foot long main boom and 118-foot maximum jib, allowing it to lift heavy components to towering heights over 230 meters across challenging job sites.

Powered by a 640-horsepower diesel engine, this versatile machine has a standard 135-ton counterweight system that can be expanded up to 1380 tons using additional plates supplied by Terex.

Its counterweight setup is hydraulically driven for precise positioning during heavy lifts. The CC 8800-1 TWIN delivers 270% increased lifting strength through stronger boom and jib head configurations, making it well-suited for jobs in confined areas or difficult terrains.

5. Terex/Demag CC 8800-1

The powerful Terex/Demag CC 8800-1 crawler crane can lift loads of up to 1,452 metric tons at heights over 240 meters.

Powered by a 530-horsepower engine, it utilizes a robust carriage and superstructure built with high-strength steel to support lifting components for massive offshore oil rigs, bridges, and power plant construction. Offering versatile boom variants from 275-512 feet, the CC 8800-1 delivers reliable heavy lifting across challenging job sites.

6. Mammoet PTC 200 DS

The Mammoet PTC 200 DS is one of the few ring cranes currently operating worldwide, with a maximum lifting capacity of 5000 tons. As the only crane on this list from Dutch manufacturer Mammoet, the PTC 200 DS pioneered the ring crane design, which allows its large slewing base and boom to rotate together even under high loads.

Capable of setting up at multiple lifting locations across sprawling job sites, the PTC 200 DS plays a crucial role in erecting giant offshore oil platforms, ships, nuclear reactors, and other mega projects that push the boundaries of modern engineering.

7. Liebherr LR 13000

The Liebherr LR 13000 is considered one of the most robust cranes in the world. With a maximum lifting capacity of 3000 tons, it is powered by a powerful 1000-horsepower engine. This crawler crane can lift loads to heights over 300 meters, setting new records for maximum height.

Its state-of-the-art high-strength steel construction and versatile boom allow operations across challenging job sites like offshore oil platforms, nuclear reactors, and mega buildings, pushing engineering boundaries.

8. Sarens SGC 250

The Sarens SGC 250 is among the heaviest lifting cranes globally, with a capacity of 2500 tons. As the only crane on this list from Belgian manufacturer Sarens, the SGC 250 features a 236-meter boom that can lift components weighing hundreds of tons with precision.

Its robust design utilizing advanced alloys has allowed lifting records to be set during the erection of massive refineries, wind turbine installations offshore, and complex power/desalination plants worldwide.

Red construction crane parked on a sunny day outside a modern building.

Frequently Asked Questions (Largest Cranes In The World)

Tower cranes, gantry cranes, and mobile cranes, including the Taisun crane and Big Carl, deliver unprecedented lifting capacity, enabling them to handle specific tasks in construction projects like One Canada Square, setting Guinness World Records and earning recognition such as the Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award.

Semi-submersible crane vessels with the most robust telescopic boom cranes play a crucial role in offshore projects like Hinkley Point in South Korea. They lift heavy equipment safely and precisely, often utilizing derrick ballast and three lifting locations for optimal performance.

The world’s largest crane, equipped with the strongest telescopic boom crane and operated from a semi-submersible crane vessel, adheres to safety protocols and utilizes pulleys to handle heavy loads at nuclear power plants like Hinckley Point. It has set Guinness World Records for the heaviest weight lifted with precision and efficiency.

The world’s largest crane, with its robust and adaptable design, including gantry cranes and mobile cranes, is capable of handling diverse lifting tasks in various locations like soccer fields, utilizing two cranes for added stability and achieving Guinness World Records for the heaviest weights lifted safely and efficiently.

The biggest cranes in the world, such as the Taisun crane and Big Carl, are renowned for their unparalleled lifting capacity. They have set Guinness World Records and received recognition like the Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award. Equipped with robust features like gantry cranes and mobile cranes, they can handle specific tasks in construction, offshore, and nuclear power plant projects with precision and efficiency, showcasing their dominance as the strongest and most versatile cranes globally.

Largest Cranes In The World