Booming market

Higher capacity, longer boom and reduced ground pressure are just some of the benefits of using a crawler crane over other model types. They can move on site with full load, and the crane’s compact undercarriage design helps when manoeuvring in tight spaces.

Popular applications for crawlers include power plant construction, wind turbine assembly and other super-heavy lifting jobs.

The latest crawler crane models from manufacturers include:

Liebherr-Werk Nenzing: For the Austria-based manufacturer, the USA market is said to have grown at an ‘above average’ rate over the past few years. The company has seen a boom in demand for the Liebherr LR series. The LR 1100 crawler was presented at the Bauma, Munich, exhibition in 2016. The rear counterweight splits in the centre and is swung backwards hydraulically to a maximum angle of 90 degrees.

Liebherr-Werk Ehingen: The latest crawler addition for the Ehingen branch is the 500 tonne capacity LR 1500, which is said by the company to have the dimensions and component weights that have previously been normal in the 400 tonne class.

The designers of the new crawler have come up with a solution to increase economy with the central ballast. It consists of just a few concrete sections that can be set up quickly and easily and whose top section forms a safe catwalk for the undercarriage.

Manitowoc: The 300 tonne capacity MLC300 and the 650 tonne capacity MLC650 were introduced at the ConExpo exhibition in 2014. The main differentiator between the newer models and the old, the company says, is the introduction of the variable position counterweight (VPC) and the VPC-Max when used with a capacity enhancing attachment.

Link-Belt: Reducing transport weight was the focus for USA-based manufacturer Link-Belt in designing its new 298 Series 2 lattice crawler crane, built on its successful predecessor, the 298 HSL. The new boom design allows the working combination boom tip section to remain in place when transitioning from conventional mode to luffer with a maximum combination of 54.8 m of boom and 59.4 m of luffing jib.

The company recently added a 250 US ton (227 tonne) capacity telescopic crawler to its product range, the TCC-2500 – created to give customers a telecrawler with higher capacities and greater reach.

Hitachi Sumitomo Construction (HSC): The manufacturer, based in Japan, launched its latest crawler SCX3500-3 at Bauma. The 350 tonne capacity machine has a short tail swing radius and the live mast never exceeds the rear end radius of the counterweight. This specification, along with a compact body, makes this crane suitable for working in a confined worksite. The company describes the crawler as having a “transportation friendly body size” with a standard front rear split frame that allows for easy transportation.

Kobelco: Japanese crane manufacturer Kobelco says that the busiest market for its crawler business is at home because of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games being held there in 2020.

Hidehiko Murata, Kobelco sales administration group manager, says, “Our latest crawler crane model line-up is the new Mark 2 G-series, consisting of six models from the CKE-G and the BME-G series, and five models from the CK-G series. The lifting capacities range from 80 to 250 tonnes for the European market and 85 to 275 US tons for the North American market. All models have been improved to be more environmentally friendly.”

The company’s biggest crawler to date is the 1,250 tonne capacity SL16000J-H designed especially for the Japan crane market.

FUWA: China, India, Southeast Asia, Russia and the Middle East are major markets for Chinese manufacturer Fuwa, which recently launched its latest crawler model, the FWT100. The crawler mounted crane with telescopic boom lifts 100 tonnes and has a boom length from 13.2 to 50 m.

The next development for Fuwa is the 125 tonne capacity FWT125.

Terex: Towards the end of 2016, Terex announced its LL 330US crawler with 330 US ton (300 tonne) capacity. It is to be built mainly for the US market and is the first in a global line of crawlers that will fit in between the Terex HC line of cranes, produced in the USA, and the CC line produced in Germany.

Moving up the capacity scale there is the 650 tonne capacity Demag CC 3800-1, designed mainly for wind turbine construction. While that crane has been available for some time, relatively new is a Boom Booster kit for it that helps increase lifting capacity by up to 30 % - especially in areas of the chart required for the latest and heaviest wind turbine hubs.

Zoomlion: The manufacturer’s latest model, with a lifting capacity of 100 tonnes, is the ZCC1100H, developed especially for the North American market. It has free fall with load breaking process control, a lightweight structure and stress control of raising the long booms.

Ken Zhou, Zoomlion mobile cranes product manager, says that the company will be focusing on upgrading its crawler range from 100 to 650 tonnes in the next two years, with a 500 tonne crawler for wind power close to completion. The company will also be introducing GPS/GPRS to its crawler crane control systems with CAN bus to transfer on time working data over the internet.

Marchetti: Italian manufacturer Marchetti offers the 25 tonne capacity Sherpina and the 70 tonne capacity Sherpa telescopic crawler models. Its busiest markets are in the UK, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The Sherpina crawler is extremely compact, weighing just 25 tonnes and measuring only 2.5 m wide with the undercarriage retracted for transport. The Sherpa crawler has a full power boom length of 42 m plus the possibility of a 14.5 m fly jib. This machine has outriggers but can also be used ‘free on tracks’ as a 55 tonne capacity crane.

Marchetti has plans to fill a gap in its range by making a crawler in the 50 or 60 tonne capacity class.

Sennebogen: Germany-based Sennebogen has its new E-Series including the 80 tonne capacity 2200, 125 tonne 3300 and 180 tonne 5500 crawlers - all with Tier 4f compliant engines and ‘green efficiency technology’. Their eco mode also provides high energy efficiency. More additions to this line are to follow.

Tadano Mantis: New telescopic boom crawlers from the USA arm of Tadano, Tadano Mantis, include the 120 tonne capacity GTC 1200 and the 80 tonne capacity GTC 800. Ed Hisrich, Tadano Mantis VP of sales and customer support, describes the latest models as “true alternatives to lattice boom crawler cranes” as he says that they have the strongest lifting capacities in their size classes and allow operation in heavy duty applications such as foundation pile driving work.

Higher capacity, longer boom and reduced ground pressure are just some of the benefits of using a crawler crane over other model types. They can move on site with full load, and the crane’s compact undercarriage design helps when manoeuvring in tight spaces. Popular applications for crawlers include power plant construction, wind turbine assembly and other super-heavy lifting jobs.The latest crawler crane models from manufacturers include:Liebherr-Werk Nenzing: For the Austria-based manufacturer, the USA market is said to have grown at an ‘above average’ rate over the past few years. The company has seen a boom in demand for the Liebherr LR series. The LR 1100 crawler was presented at the Bauma, Munich, exhibition in 2016. The rear counterweight splits in the centre and is swung backwards hydraulically to a maximum angle of 90 degrees.Liebherr-Werk Ehingen: The latest crawler addition for the Ehingen branch is the 500 tonne capacity LR 1500, which is said by the company to have the dimensions and component weights that have previously been normal in the 400 tonne class.The designers of the new crawler have come up with a solution to increase economy with the central ballast. It consists of just a few concrete sections that can be set up quickly and easily and whose top section forms a safe catwalk for the undercarriage.Manitowoc: The 300 tonne capacity MLC300 and the 650 tonne capacity MLC650 were introduced at the ConExpo exhibition in 2014. The main differentiator between the newer models and the old, the company says, is the introduction of the variable position counterweight (VPC) and the VPC-Max when used with a capacity enhancing attachment.Link-Belt: Reducing transport weight was the focus for USA-based manufacturer Link-Belt in designing its new 298 Series 2 lattice crawler crane, built on its successful predecessor, the 298 HSL. The new boom design allows the working combination boom tip section to remain in place when transitioning from conventional mode to luffer with a maximum combination of 54.8 m of boom and 59.4 m of luffing jib.The company recently added a 250 US ton (227 tonne) capacity telescopic crawler to its product range, the TCC-2500 – created to give customers a telecrawler with higher capacities and greater reach. Hitachi Sumitomo Construction (HSC): The manufacturer, based in Japan, launched its latest crawler SCX3500-3 at Bauma. The 350 tonne capacity machine has a short tail swing radius and the live mast never exceeds the rear end radius of the counterweight. This specification, along with a compact body, makes this crane suitable for working in a confined worksite. The company describes the crawler as having a “transportation friendly body size” with a standard front rear split frame that allows for easy transportation. Kobelco: Japanese crane manufacturer Kobelco says that the busiest market for its crawler business is at home because of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games being held there in 2020. Hidehiko Murata, Kobelco sales administration group manager, says, “Our latest crawler crane model line-up is the new Mark 2 G-series, consisting of six models from the CKE-G and the BME-G series, and five models from the CK-G series. The lifting capacities range from 80 to 250 tonnes for the European market and 85 to 275 US tons for the North American market. All models have been improved to be more environmentally friendly.”The company’s biggest crawler to date is the 1,250 tonne capacity SL16000J-H designed especially for the Japan crane market.FUWA: China, India, Southeast Asia, Russia and the Middle East are major markets for Chinese manufacturer Fuwa, which recently launched its latest crawler model, the FWT100. The crawler mounted crane with telescopic boom lifts 100 tonnes and has a boom length from 13.2 to 50 m. The next development for Fuwa is the 125 tonne capacity FWT125. Terex: Towards the end of 2016, Terex announced its LL 330US crawler with 330 US ton (300 tonne) capacity. It is to be built mainly for the US market and is the first in a global line of crawlers that will fit in between the Terex HC line of cranes, produced in the USA, and the CC line produced in Germany. Moving up the capacity scale there is the 650 tonne capacity Demag CC 3800-1, designed mainly for wind turbine construction. While that crane has been available for some time, relatively new is a Boom Booster kit for it that helps increase lifting capacity by up to 30 % - especially in areas of the chart required for the latest and heaviest wind turbine hubs. Zoomlion: The manufacturer’s latest model, with a lifting capacity of 100 tonnes, is the ZCC1100H, developed especially for the North American market. It has free fall with load breaking process control, a lightweight structure and stress control of raising the long booms.Ken Zhou, Zoomlion mobile cranes product manager, says that the company will be focusing on upgrading its crawler range from 100 to 650 tonnes in the next two years, with a 500 tonne crawler for wind power close to completion. The company will also be introducing GPS/GPRS to its crawler crane control systems with CAN bus to transfer on time working data over the internet. Marchetti: Italian manufacturer Marchetti offers the 25 tonne capacity Sherpina and the 70 tonne capacity Sherpa telescopic crawler models. Its busiest markets are in the UK, Thailand and Hong Kong.The Sherpina crawler is extremely compact, weighing just 25 tonnes and measuring only 2.5 m wide with the undercarriage retracted for transport. The Sherpa crawler has a full power boom length of 42 m plus the possibility of a 14.5 m fly jib. This machine has outriggers but can also be used ‘free on tracks’ as a 55 tonne capacity crane.Marchetti has plans to fill a gap in its range by making a crawler in the 50 or 60 tonne capacity class.Sennebogen: Germany-based Sennebogen has its new E-Series including the 80 tonne capacity 2200, 125 tonne 3300 and 180 tonne 5500 crawlers - all with Tier 4f compliant engines and ‘green efficiency technology’. Their eco mode also provides high energy efficiency. More additions to this line are to follow.Tadano Mantis: New telescopic boom crawlers from the USA arm of Tadano, Tadano Mantis, include the 120 tonne capacity GTC 1200 and the 80 tonne capacity GTC 800. Ed Hisrich, Tadano Mantis VP of sales and customer support, describes the latest models as “true alternatives to lattice boom crawler cranes” as he says that they have the strongest lifting capacities in their size classes and allow operation in heavy duty applications such as foundation pile driving work.