10 extremely large cranes (11 photos)

In the world of construction and engineering, new challenges arise every day that require incredible power and enormous lifting heights. To solve these problems, giant machines are needed - cranes. Today we will tell you about the top 10 largest cranes in the world, monsters with metal “arms” capable of lifting unimaginable loads.







10. Terex CC 8800-1 TWI

The CC 8800-1 double lattice boom crawler crane has two booms and a lifting capacity of 3,200 tons. The maximum lifting capacity is 44,000 tons.

The first unit was officially unveiled in October at the Terex Demag plant in Germany in the presence of its new owner Al Jaber Heavy Lift and Transport, based in the UAE.

Saket Agarwal, managing director of ABG, said Twin will be involved in nuclear power and heavy construction, adding: "New refinery expansion is also likely."

Agarwal added that heavy lift work requiring powerful cranes such as Twin is now common in India, but explained that most of it is carried out by European contractors. “In India there is a lot of growth and enough work for this type of crane. We felt it was necessary for an Indian company to have such a crane and make it available to Indian customers.”





9. Bigge 125D AFRD

Not only can it lift loads of up to 7,500 tonnes, but it can also be controlled from one location, eliminating the need to move a crane or multiple lifting devices. Once installed, the Bigge 125D can move anywhere – quickly and efficiently – and provides an unprecedented degree of flexibility in the construction industry.

Currently, two Bigge 125D cranes are being used to build two new reactor units side by side at two different nuclear power plants in the United States. By deploying the Bigge 125, new reactors can be built immediately without moving a crane.

It goes without saying that a machine of this size and power needs strong mounting. However, when construction is completed, it also needs to be dismantled, transported and reassembled at another site. For this reason, Bigge Crane & Rigging decided to use Superbolt tensioners to connect large components. Not only do they provide essential safety, but they can also be easily assembled and disassembled without the need for hydraulic tools.



8. LiebherrLTM-11200-9.1

All LiebherrLTM-11200-9.1 cranes are rugged, versatile and flexible. They can travel independently along the road and require limited on-site assembly.

They have a hydraulically expandable and frequently rotating boom. Their carrying capacity ranges from 8 to 1,200 tons. Moving a crane with a load in the hook is not possible, except for cranes for rough terrain.



7.LR13000

The Liebherr LR13000 is the most powerful crawler crane in its class with a maximum lifting capacity of 3,000 metric tons. The LR13000 is a versatile crane to suit any job as the boom system can be configured in four different configurations, from light to extra heavy. The maximum boom length is 130 meters.

The LR13000 crane is equipped with a 2-cylinder Liebherr-8 turbodiesel engine producing 1,360 hp. Winches are supplied as standard with a single drive, providing maximum reliability and ease of service. In case of failure, the drive can be replaced under load. Concrete ballast blocks are supplied in a 20" twist lock container making it economically transportable.

The cabin is spacious and equipped with the new LICCON2 crane control system and three monitors with a crane scheduler. For the safety of workers and machines, the crane is equipped with a control system for the winch chamber and the rear of the machine.



6. XCMG XGC88000

Weighing over 3,600 tonnes, the XGC88000 crane is designed for use in the petrochemical, coal, chemical and nuclear power industries. It was developed jointly with the Chinese oil company Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation) in accordance with the agreement signed in 2010.

XGC88000 has been recognized worldwide for its three advanced technologies and six world-leading technologies with more than 80 national patents. This largely suggests that China is intent on breaking up the monopoly crane business in a world once dominated by Germany and the United States.



5. Kroll K-10000

The KROLL K-10000 has been one of the world's largest tower cranes for over 40 years. The rack is almost 120 meters high with a boom reach of 85 meters and can lift 120 tons within a radius of almost 90 meters.

The long boom model can lift 94 tonnes to a radius of 95 metres. The K-10000 can rotate 360° after being screwed to a 12 meter diameter concrete base. This allows the crane to cover an area of 7.5 acres, or approximately 6 football fields.

The second, a service crane, is attached to the top for initial assembly and future maintenance of the K-10000. A system of three counterweights, one set and two mobile on trolleys, with a total weight of 100 tons, is used to balance the crane.

Under this load, the crane can withstand wind speeds of up to 108 km/h. With its enormous boom span and lifting capacity, the K-10000 reduces time by eliminating the need for small cranes.



4. Wolffkran – 1250V

The WOLFF 1250B is designed for heavy lifting and has a maximum lifting capacity of 60 tonnes and a maximum boom length of 80 metres. At the customer's request, an even higher load capacity is possible by increasing the number of turns of the rope. To make reefing more efficient and safer, the WOLFF 1250B is equipped with the patented WOLFFKRAN reefing mechanism.

Equipped with a powerful 132 kW hoist, the WOLFF 1250B achieves lifting speeds of up to 190 meters per minute in the frequently used single mode. In addition, the winding power of the lifting drum rope, measured at almost one kilometer, is sufficient to create a height of up to 800 meters.



3. Saipem Mikoperi 7000

The Saipem 7000 is equipped with two fully rotating Saipem 7000 cranes. Each of them has a 140 meter long boom with four hooks. Each crane is capable of lifting up to 7,000 tonnes with a 40m lifting radius using the main hook. Auxiliary hook lifting capacity: 1st auxiliary hook - 2500 tons at a radius of 75 m and 2nd auxiliary hook - 900 tons at a radius of 115 m. The lifting capacity of the whip hook is 120 tons at a height of 150 m. The second auxiliary hook can be used in deep water up to 450 m. Two cranes are capable of lifting a lifting capacity of 14,000 tons in tandem.



2. SSCV Thialf

SSCV Thialf, built in 1985, has twin cranes with a total lifting capacity of 14,200 tons. It is the largest in Heerema Marine Contractors' (HMC) fleet of crane vessels and is used for all types of heavy lifting on offshore projects around the world. Thialf has a total length of 201.6 m and a width of 88.4 m. The platform can accommodate hundreds of workers.



1. Taisun

Taisun is currently the largest crane in the world. He works at a shipyard owned by Yantai Raffles in Yantai, a city in northeastern China. The crane's lifting capacity is 22,046 tons.

It is named after the mountain in Shandong province in which Yantai is located, and holds the record for the heaviest weight lifted. This record was set when Taisun lifted a barge weighing 22,192 tons.

These cranes are true beasts of modern engineering, capable of completing the most challenging tasks in the construction world. Their power and lifting heights make them invaluable for a variety of projects, and they continue to evolve to meet new challenges in global construction.