The Tallest Mobile Crane

This portable crane can hoist millions of pounds all day long, then drive home like any other 18-wheeler

By Michael Dumiak Posted 03.23.2009 at 10:57 am 12 Comments

Get Wind of This This crane on wheels can lift up to 2.6 million pounds Peter Bollinger (See an annotated view.)

Built for tasks like lifting 55-ton generators to the top of 300-foot windmills, the Liebherr 11200-9.1 might just be the world’s most monstrous truck. The 108-ton 18-wheeler doubles in weight when the boom—-which with extensions can reach 47 stories—-is attached. Fully assembled, it can lift up to 2.6 million pounds. Without the boom, it can drive on public roads, so getting it to a job site requires five fewer trucks than it would take to haul in and assemble an equally large fixed crane. It’s also far easier to move from place to place once it’s on-site. These custom cranes don’t come cheap and take eight months to manufacture; Liebherr wouldn’t quote a price, but industry estimates range from $5 million to $10 million--which probably explains why there are only 10 of them in the world.

Boom
The telescoping hydraulic boom-—made from high-tension steel five times as strong as construction girders—-can stretch 300 feet into the air (550 with extensions). Up to 4,500 feet of steel cables tie the whole system together.

Guying System
This Y-shaped mast provides stability, preventing the boom from bending in either direction as it shoulders the load. This also distributes the load and increases overall lifting power.

Monster Truck
To get around, the crane rolls on 18 tubeless, high-pressure tires, each one 4.5 feet wide. An eight-cylinder, 16.2-liter diesel motor puts out 680 horsepower, allowing it to drive on normal roads (sans boom) at up to 47 mph.

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12 Comments

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electrodynamic

03/23/09 at 2:45 am

I really doubt it will lift 2.6 million pounds.I just dont think you could get a strap around it for one thing.ha ha

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ethano329

from Commack, New York

03/23/09 at 3:51 pm

EO- Haha...I don't know how true that could be...but there are very advanced materials out there that might be able to.

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ford2go

03/24/09 at 12:33 am

The company's website says 1200 tons (2.4 million pounds) at 2.5 m radius. Not sure what the exact measurement technique is, but they claim that it's pretty stout.

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sowerofcrop

03/24/09 at 10:55 pm

ok 1200 ton = 3x40 tons
3x80,000lbs tractor trailers ( out side your suv window)
walk in the park people!!
there was a coal stripmining shovel built years ago that could load like six train cars with one bucket. i think it was called the "big muskie" had to have cranes with this capasity then

P.S. what weighs more a ton of lead or a ton of turkey feathers( my dad got me with this wat to many times)

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djgiesbrecht

03/27/09 at 1:16 pm

Sowerofcrop is missing a zero. we're talking 30 tractor trailers. That's a bit more impressive, even if it is only at 2.5 meter (~8 foot) radius.

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outsider

from Singapore, Singapore

04/17/09 at 12:56 am

Hey Guys,is seems like you guys no nothing about cranes.I wonder how you can doubt something that you don't even know them.I do not agree with the comments from you guys.Especially,Mr.electrodynamic,don't you feel ashame of your comments?
When manufacturer claims the crane can lift 2,600,000 pounds,well it is equivalent to approx 1200 Metric Ton.It sure can!!! as it was tested at a very close working radius.Nonetheless,when it comes to the real application,you won't have a chance to lift 1200 M-Ton due to the space,height,etc...
Mr.Electrodynamic,you shouldn't need to anyhow laugh..In turn,people will laugh at you!..Hahaha!

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satex

05/02/09 at 12:40 pm

I don't believe that. To compare an industry with fairly large lifting requirements - The oil and gas drilling industry. A national 1625 draw works is 3000 horsepower and the second most powerful made. ( They make a 4000HP capable of drilling in excess of 40k feet ). It is powered by 3 EMD Model 16-645-E8 2200 BHP each @ 900 RPM - 5400kW. It's lifting capacity is approx 750 tons ( 1.6 million pounds ) on a 16 line block with a verticle mast of 2 million pound capacity.

So this crane is lifting 2.5 million pounds with a 6 cylinder turbo diesel producing 240kW ?

Why does it take 6600HP and 5400kW to lift 1.6 million pounds one place and only 350HP and 240kW to lift 2.5 million pounds someplace else ? Is this a magic crane ?

So theoretically, you could hoist not only the pipe that a 1625 national is lifting but you could lift the derrick, substructure and draworks along with it, in one piece, with this mobile crane.

Wow, that's impressive. BS, but impressive.

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cannissolis

05/22/09 at 6:39 am

hey satex, I guess that is what gearing is for eh? check it out for yourself on the Liebherr. com website

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Fishman5

06/26/09 at 12:05 pm

This is the coolest crane ever!

__________________________
http://empoweringparents.com/blog/boot-camps/alternative-to-military-schools/

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romaniamac1

10/26/09 at 2:20 am

wow, i have never seen something similar before.

www.emailextractor14.com

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Wm13

01/07/11 at 12:22 pm

As an crane operator and rigging engineer this crane would have no problem lifting 2 millions. In order for it to make the lift, all the boom would have to be in and at a 90 degrees. Doubt no more.

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Wm13

01/07/11 at 12:27 pm

Dear Outsider, you hit the nail on the head. Could not have said it better myself. And "Mr.Electrodynamic" you also don't know anything about rigging. I would not put anything but straps around 2.4 million pounds unless it had pick points.