Cranes have been an integral part of human civilization for centuries. They have been used to move heavy loads in construction, manufacturing, and logistics. In this article, we will trace the history of cranes, from the earliest to modern models.

 

Ancient World:

The first prototypes of cranes appeared in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. They were simple wooden structures that were used to move stones and blocks during the construction of pyramids and temples.

 

Ancient World:

In Ancient Greece and Rome, cranes became more complex and efficient. They were made of metal and had mechanical devices for lifting loads.

 

Middle Ages:

During the Middle Ages, cranes were further developed. New types of cranes appeared, such as overhead cranes and cantilever cranes. These cranes were used to move large loads, such as stone blocks for the construction of castles and cathedrals.

 

Modern times:

In the modern times, industrialization began, and overhead cranes became even more complex and powerful. Cranes with electric and hydraulic drives appeared, which could lift loads weighing tens and hundreds of tons.

 

Modern types:

Today, there are many different types of overhead cranes. They are used in industry, construction, logistics and other industries. Some of the most popular types of cranes include overhead cranes, jib cranes, gantry cranes and tower cranes.

 

Overhead cranes have come a long way from simple wooden structures to complex machines with electric and hydraulic drives. They have become an integral part of our lives and continue to evolve to meet the needs of modern society.

The development of mankind is closely linked to the need to move and transport heavy objects. This is precisely why cranes were invented. In this article, we will look at the history of the creation and development of cranes, as well as get acquainted with their most popular types.

Cranes have been an integral tool of construction and industry since ancient times. The history of cranes is largely unknown, as these machines were likely created based on simple hand levers that have been used since ancient times. Just as technology often progresses with the development of stronger materials, the evolution and modern types of cranes have come a long way since their original design.

 

The earliest known crane was used by ancient Greek engineers to lift heavy stones for large-scale construction projects such as temples. This machine consisted of a lever and pulley system connected to a wooden beam that could be adjusted for increased strength or for longer distances. The weight was typically increased by human or animal labor, although some of these systems used primitive winches and capstans to improve efficiency.

 

The first modern type of crane appeared in China in the 11th century, and was developed primarily for agricultural purposes, such as moving logs or unloading wagons on farms and plantations. Initially, these devices were made of wood and powered by complex systems of rope pulleys attached to animal-powered winches mounted on posts or trestles. The technology eventually spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, where it formed the basis for much larger versions that could lift heavier loads over longer distances. In 1450, Flemish engineer Jacob van der Meer designed one such crane with massive booms that could lift heavy loads many stories high using only ox power.

 

By the 19th century, advances in industrial engineering had allowed cranes to become more powerful and precise than ever before, culminating in inventions such as Gustave de Laval's single-rope steam-powered crane in 1845, a revolutionary device that improved safety while greatly increasing lifting capacity, laying the groundwork for future generations.

 

Modern cranes are versatile machines capable of performing a variety of functions depending on their configuration and setup; they can be stationary on girders or mobile platforms on tracks, allowing them to be easily moved around sites; they can also be classified by lifting capacity into light, medium and heavy-duty types based on the specifics of the operation: material handling equipment (MHE) features lower lifting capacities, while overhead cranes can handle much heavier loads over longer spans due to their more robust basic structure; In addition, within each category there are several types, including boom cranes (which rotate around a vertical axis), gantry cranes (which move on horizontal rails), overhead cranes (as already mentioned), etc…

 

In addition, automatic control mechanisms are becoming more common in lifting operations: computer-controlled digital programming allows operators to perform tasks more easily and safely if desired, while sensors detect questionable situations before an accident occurs. And thanks to improvements made by electrical power sources such as DC motors, work is now faster and more efficient, with lower maintenance costs and greater energy-saving potential compared to their diesel counterparts. All of these components come together to make modern lifting equipment one of the most revolutionary devices present in any industrial environment today.

 

History of Overhead Cranes

The first overhead crane can be considered a simple pulley system that was invented in Ancient Egypt. It allowed heavy stones to be lifted for the construction of the pyramids.

 

The next stage in the development of overhead cranes is associated with Ancient Rome. The Romans invented the overhead crane, which became the basis for modern overhead cranes.

 

The Renaissance gave the world new types of overhead cranes. In particular, stacker cranes for warehouses and cranes with a rotating boom for work on construction sites were created.

 

With the development of industry in the 19th century, the first steam cranes appeared. They were bulky and heavy, but had great power.

 

In the 20th century, the development of overhead cranes continued. Electric and diesel cranes were created, which became more mobile and efficient.

 

Today, the overhead crane market offers many models that differ in type, power, lifting height and other parameters.

Modern types of overhead cranes

The lifting capacity of cranes depends on their type and design.

 

y the use of overhead cranes is an integral part. Thanks to their use, the process of construction of various objects is significantly simplified and the safety of workers on the site is ensured. In this article, we will consider the main types of overhead cranes and their application in various fields of activity.

 

Tower cranes

Tower cranes are one of the most common types of overhead cranes. They are used in the construction of residential buildings, administrative buildings and industrial facilities. Tower cranes have a high lifting capacity and can lift loads to a height of several tens of meters.

 

Gantry cranes

Gantry cranes are used in industrial enterprises and warehouse complexes. They have high productivity and are capable of moving loads weighing up to several hundred tons. Gantry cranes can be single- or double-girder, and also have cantilever extensions.

 

Bridge cranes

Bridge cranes are used in large factories and warehouses. They move along rails installed on the floor or on special supports. Bridge cranes can have different lifting capacities, span lengths and lifting heights.

 

Portal cranes

Portal cranes are used to move loads over long distances. They have a high travel speed and can operate in any weather conditions. Portal cranes can be stationary or mobile.

 

Truck-mounted cranes

Truck-mounted cranes are used to perform various tasks at construction sites. They can lift and move loads over short distances, as well as perform various installation works.

 

Truck cranes

Truck cranes are used to move loads over short distances. They are highly maneuverable and can move on public roads. Truck cranes have different lifting capacities and can be equipped with additional devices for moving loads.

 

Remote-controlled cranes

Modern overhead cranes can be controlled remotely, which allows the operator to control the process of moving loads from a safe distance. Remote control reduces the risk of emergency situations and increases the efficiency of the crane.

 

Modern types of overhead cranes allow you to perform various tasks in construction, industry and logistics. The correct choice of crane and its operation ensure safety and high productivity of work.

 Designers and manufacturers around the world are constantly releasing new equipment, striving to give their users the maximum. And users, in turn, always want to know which of all the models - old and new - can be called the best, the most outstanding, the very best?

 

We have prepared a review of outstanding overhead cranes, and both new and "old-timers" were included. Are you ready to look for the largest crane with us? We warn you, it is not as easy as you might think!

 

Why do we need large overhead cranes?

Most often, such "supercranes" are used for large-scale and important work. With their help, heavy equipment is created and installed at industrial facilities - in metallurgy and the oil industry, as well as in nuclear power, where it is often necessary to install structures whose weight is measured in hundreds and thousands of tons. And, of course, almost any construction cannot do without high and heavy-duty cranes!

 

The tallest crane or the highest capacity crane? Why is it almost impossible to determine the leader?

When talking about the largest cranes, you need to keep in mind that there are several parameters by which one or another model can be awarded the title of record holder.

 

One of these parameters is the height to which the crane can lift its load. The second is the actual mass of the load being lifted. The combination of height and mass can be very different, and therefore it is impossible to objectively single out a single model and call it the absolute leader. The tallest crane is not necessarily the one with the highest lifting capacity and vice versa.

 

In addition, the specificity of all overhead cranes is such that as the weight of the load being lifted increases, the height to which it can be lifted decreases. So you usually have to be content with one of two things: either impressive weight or impressive heights!

 

Cranes also differ from each other in their ability to move and in the way they move. At the same time, each category has its own capabilities, its own features and its own records.

 

Therefore, we suggest that you get acquainted with the outstanding representatives of the varieties of overhead cranes.

The Largest Tower Crane: History in its Pure Form

Tower cranes are extremely popular in construction. They are installed directly on the site, which, however, does not mean static and immobile. Tower cranes can either stand still or move, being self-propelled or trailer-mounted. There are also “self-erecting” variations installed on the frame of the building under construction.

 

The height of tower cranes is usually from 20 to 90 meters.

 

One of the largest tower cranes is considered to be the K-10000 from the Danish company KrollKranes.

 

The number in the name corresponds to the maximum load moment - the very characteristic that determines the stability of the machine against overturning.

 

This model was created in Denmark in 1978 for the construction of nuclear power plants. Over the 40 years of its existence, K-10000 cranes have participated in the construction of a considerable number of nuclear power plants in different countries and on different continents - from the unfinished Forked River in the USA to the Zaporizhzhya NPP in Ukraine.

 

However, nuclear power is not the only area of application for this model. For example, one of the few still functioning K-10000 models is engaged in shipbuilding work in Singapore, another is dismantling oil platforms in Norway.

 

The K-10000 actually consists of two cranes, the main and auxiliary. The lifting capacity of the main one is 120 tons with a boom length of 82 meters. The maximum height to which the hook can rise is 81 meters. The crane provides full service of the NPP construction site with an outreach of 84 m, and the heaviest load (in the case of nuclear power plants, this is the reactor dome weighing about 200 tons) is lifted with an outreach of 51.8 m.

 

There are several modifications of the K-10000. It can be either self-propelled (on rails) or installed directly in the foundation, that is, stationary. In a stationary form, the K-10000 can cover a working area of up to 200 meters. Another version is specially designed for super-heavy loads. This model is capable of lifting 360 tons.

 

The total weight of the giant is 880 tons, the height together with the auxiliary crane exceeds 140 meters, and installation requires more than 3 months.

The largest truck crane: battle of the titans

Truck cranes differ from tower cranes in their greater mobility: they do not need to be assembled and disassembled, they will get to their destination themselves, and at the same time - they will be able to transport the cargo.

 

By the way, about the cargo. The lifting capacity of many truck cranes often exceeds 1 thousand tons and, most likely, in the future this figure will not become the limit.

 

One of the recognized leaders among truck cranes is the Liebherr LTM-11200-9.1 wheeled crane, the main task of which is the installation and assembly of wind generators.

 

This unit, originally from Germany and having the unofficial name "Mammoth", has the longest telescopic boom in the world and the largest lifting capacity: 100 meters and 1200 tons, respectively.

 

In order for such a colossus to be able to stand and move stably, it is equipped with no less than nine axles. While moving, the crane is capable of developing a speed of up to 70 km / h.

 

The maximum height to which the Liebherr LTM-11200-9.1 can lift a load is 188 meters. This is approximately equal to the height of a 50-story building, twice the height of the famous Niagara Falls!

 

Among the main competitors of the German "Mammoth" is the ZACB01 truck crane from the largest Chinese company Zoomlion.

 

The manufacturer made the release of this model a gift for its own 20th anniversary, which happened in 2015. The gift was a success: Zoomlion ZACB01 got into the Guinness Book of Records due to its outstanding lifting capacity (2000 tons), displacing the Liebherr LTM-11200-9.1 from the first line.

 

However, the Chinese giant is significantly inferior to the German in stability. This truck crane prefers ideal surfaces, and such are rare at construction sites. The price also bites: the price of the Zoomlion ZACB01 significantly exceeds a million dollars, and most often the most powerful of the currently existing truck cranes is preferred not to be purchased, but to be rented.

The Largest Crawler Crane: Germany vs. China

Crawler cranes are the real heavy-duty cranes of the lifting world. They are capable of lifting loads over 3,000 tons, which are beyond the capabilities of either tower or automobile models.

 

The market for this type of crane is being widely developed in China.

 

In 2011, Sany released a crawler crane that lifted 3.2 thousand tons, which became a record, but the triumph did not last long. In 2013, the XGC 88000 crane from the Chinese manufacturer XCMG was released, and this model was able to lift 3.6 thousand tons.

The XGS 88000 was created mainly for work in coal mines, construction in the petrochemical industry, or the construction of nuclear power plants. In the 8 years since its creation, this crane has managed to participate in more than 10 large-scale projects in its homeland, China, and even “showed up” at the construction of a gas processing plant in Saudi Arabia.

 

The German model LR13000 from the already familiar manufacturer Liebherr acts as a European alternative to the Chinese heavyweights.

 

The maximum lifting capacity of this crane is 3 thousand tons, however, the LR13000 is only capable of lifting this weight by 12 meters, given that the maximum lifting height is 245 meters (this is approximately equal to the height of the main tower of Moscow State University). However, a decrease in the lifted weight along with an increase in height is typical for other cranes as well.

 

Other large cranes: a bit of exoticism

Cranes can move not only on solid ground, but also on the water surface: for this they are installed on pontoons. Floating cranes are used to move offshore drilling platform units and other massive structures.

 

Of course, floating cranes have their own giants and record holders.

 

One of the largest floating cranes is the Hyundai-10000, with a lifting capacity of 10,000 tons.

 

This crane, which appeared in 2018, is equipped with two booms 180 meters high, and it has 8 hooks (the weight is evenly distributed between them). The crane receives the energy it needs for operation from generators with a capacity of 2.2 thousand kW installed on board - there are 4 of them in total, plus one spare, the capacity of which is less.

 

The work of floating devices is not only associated with lifting heavy loads to a great height, but is also carried out on a fairly unstable surface. Sea waters are unpredictable. Therefore, special tanks are installed on board the Hyundai-10000: in case of lifting a particularly massive load, they can be filled with seawater to provide maximum stability.

 

In addition to floating cranes, there are also crane vessels: by and large, this is the same thing, only the external outlines of the floating base are close to those of a ship.

 

Here, the palm is held by Sleipnir from Heerema. This is a semi-submersible crane vessel equipped with two cranes, each of which can lift up to 10 thousand tons to a height of 129 meters.

 

Sleipnir is equipped with a helipad and can hold 20 thousand tons of cargo on board. Its living compartment can accommodate 400 people. Accordingly, the vessel is also equipped with lifeboats - there are 9 of them in total, with 70 seats in each.

 

The giant with a Scandinavian name was assembled in 2019 in Singapore specifically for work on installing oil and gas platforms, as well as offshore wind turbines.

In the two years since it was put into operation, Sleipnir has already made history: in 2020, the vessel lifted and transported steel parts of the Brent Alpha platform from the North Sea near Great Britain to Norway. The cargo weighed more than 10,000 tons. This crane also took part in the development of the Leviathan gas field in Israel. There, it lifted a module weighing more than 15,000 tons, which crane ships had never done before.

 

Another type of overhead crane is a bridge crane. This is a crane whose lifting device is suspended from a cargo trolley and moves along a movable steel structure (the bridge itself).

 

The largest bridge crane is considered to be Taisun, which has been operating for many years in the dock of Yantai Raffles Shipyard Limited (Singapore, China). This company manufactures floating drilling platforms for the oil industry, and the crane, 133 meters high and 126 meters wide, is indispensable for their assembly.

 

Taisun's parameters allow for the installation of large-scale metal structures, the height of which can be equal to the height of a ten-story building. The process is carried out as follows: the crane slowly lifts the upper part of the drilling platform to a height of 80 meters, and then lowers it onto the lower floating part docked in the dock.

 

Taisun has no equal in this work. The crane has been the current Guinness World Record holder for many years: initially, its best achievement was 17,100 tons, but in April 2008, Taisun updated its record and lifted a barge weighing 20,133 tons.

 

Faster! Higher! Stronger! Instead of a conclusion - about the largest cranes in the world

Obviously, there is no model in the world that could be called the largest among cranes. But each of the cranes we have described is impressive in its own way.

 

Moreover, the number of amazing machines will only increase over time. After all, every year construction work becomes more and more complex, and the power and productivity of equipment grows, trying to meet the high demands of modern humanity.

 

In recent years, China has demonstrated a serious desire to seize leadership in the issue of lifting capacity and efficiency of lifting equipment, but other manufacturers do not want to give up their positions.

 

Competition, as we know, generates development, and therefore, most likely, the moment is not far off when supergiant cranes will appear, capable of lifting more than 5 thousand tons.

The largest self-propelled crane in the world is considered to be the German-made crawler CC 8800-1 Twin. Terex-Demag GmbH first showed its new giant crane in October 2007. Equipped with a double lattice boom, it has an impressive lifting capacity of 3,200 tons. And this is not a prototype, but a commercial product: the company immediately received orders for three such machines.

 

The Terex-Demag CC 8800-1 is one of the most powerful serially produced mobile cranes in the world. Its standard lifting capacity is 1,600 tons, the maximum lifting moment reaches 24,002 t m. The crane is equipped with a Superlift system, the radius of which is between 19 and 30 m. When equipped with a lifting jib, the maximum boom length reaches 216 m.

 

In addition to the convenient function of limiting the working area and a display that clearly shows the ground pressure and other important indicators, the machine has an IC-1 computer control system with diagnostic functions, which greatly simplifies troubleshooting directly on the site and allows you to reduce downtime to a minimum.

The crane's two drive units operate independently of each other. Moreover, a second control system is provided - all to ensure maximum efficiency, because only by working without downtime can the giant pay for itself faster. And our hero can continue working even if one of its engines or one of the two control systems fails (for example, from a lightning strike).

 

Despite its serious dimensions and weight, the crane, which has a modular design, is specially adapted for transportation to any point on the globe: the dimensions of individual modules do not exceed 3.5 m, almost all components weigh no more than 40 tons.