Ring crane

Last updated
Mammoet crane (red) set up in Nigg Energy Park, Scotland to load jacket foundations (yellow) for the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm Mammoet ring crane (51516326449) (crop to crane).jpg
Mammoet crane (red) set up in Nigg Energy Park, Scotland to load jacket foundations (yellow) for the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm

A ring crane is a form of large construction crane with a luffing jib. It is distinguished by its slew pivot [lower-roman 1] being in the form of a ring-shaped track, rather than a narrow central spindle. The broad base this gives to the slewing section above allows it to slew whilst carrying extremely heavy loads.

Contents

Ring cranes are rare. There are very few of them, and these are operated by specialised heavy lift companies. They may be shipped around the world, as needed. Mammoet Transport operate three PTC ring cranes. [1] [2] [3] Belgian heavy-lift company Sarens has also operated such cranes since 2011. [4] [5]

Operation

Mammoet PTC200-DS in Dubai, 2014 Mammoet crane - Dubai - United Arab Emirates - 14 Nov. 2014.jpg
Mammoet PTC200-DS in Dubai, 2014

Ring cranes are used either when exceptionally large single lifts are essential, or when the ability to perform such lifts would accelerate a construction project sufficiently to make the use of such a specialised crane cost effective. Other crane types, such as gantry or Goliath cranes may have similar capacities, but the jib reach of the ring crane allows them to work over a large area. This ability for a single crane to make lifts over a large area may reduce the amount of other expensive high-capacity plant needed, such as self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT). [6]

Typical loads include petrochemical plant modules, nuclear reactor vessels, bridge components or offshore equipment. [7] [6] They combine lifting capacity - up to 5,000 tons - with a long reach. Jib lengths of up to 160 m give a lifting radius of up to 100m. They also have a small footprint compared to gantry or Goliath cranes. The performance of super-heavy jib cranes is measured in tonne-metres, the product of weight and lifting radius, typically as much as 100,000 tonne-metres for large cranes. [8] Sarens offer a range of such cranes from 90,000 to 250,000 tonne-metres. [4] [5] Lifting a 3,200 ton load to a height of 120 metres may take up to 15 minutes. [lower-roman 2] Slewing in a complete rotation takes a similar time. [1]

When a large load is lifted, particularly a tall vertical load, additional tailrope equipment may be needed to control the lower end swinging around. Although fixed winches may be adequate with smaller cranes, for the extremely large lifts performed by ring cranes this may need equipment such as a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT). [9]

Development

The first heavy ring crane was developed by Huisman in 1996, for petrochemical plant construction in Dubai. A Van Seumeren [lower-roman 3] Demag CC4800 crawler crane, which had been used by Huisman on other worldwide contracts since 1992, was adapted by being placed on a ring track. [9]

Transport

They can offer flexible configuration and quick mobilisation. When dismantled for shipping they may either be moved as large units, or broken down further to the size of standard freight containers. [8] On assembly, a modular design allows choices of how much reach or lifting capacity to provide. [8] The Sarens SGC-120 can be assembled with either the main boom alone, or with either a heavy duty or light duty jib in addition to this. [5] The counterweight for the crane is composed of a series of open steel boxes, based on standard 40' freight containers, which can be filled with low-cost, locally sourced material such as sand, rubble or scrap metal. [11] The ring itself has a footprint diameter of 45–55 m and a ground pressure of 20 tons / m2. [1]

Assembly on site is itself a complex process, involving a number of smaller cranes and several weeks of effort, [12] and a cost of perhaps $500,000. [9]

Variants

Twin boom cranes

Twin boom ring cranes can be supported by the wide lateral base of the ring track, giving extra lateral stability, similar to an A-frame derrick, but with the ability to slew around. As the base of this derrick is broad, comparable to the radius of the ring, this reduces the peak ground loading by spreading the load in halves to two separate areas. Twin boom ring cranes are used for the largest ring cranes: up to 5,000 tonne load for the latest Sarens SGC-250. [13]

ALE (merged with Mammoet) is planning to release the SK10,000 (10,000 tonne capacity) with double twin booms and twin rings in Q4 2020. [14]

Ringers

A ringer is a similar device, although intended as an optional add-on for crawler cranes. [15]

Big Carl

The world's largest crane [lower-roman 4] is Big Carl, the Sarens SGC-250. [13] The name is a reference to Carl Sarens. In September 2019 it began work at the construction site for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset, England, and is expected to remain there for four years. [16] [17] This is a double ring crane with a reach of 275 m and maximum lift of 5,000 tonnes. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crane (machine)</span> Type of machine

A crane is a machine used to move materials both vertically and horizontally, utilizing a system of a boom, hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves for lifting and relocating heavy objects within the swing of its boom. The device uses one or more simple machines, such as the lever and pulley, to create mechanical advantage to do its work. Cranes are commonly employed in transportation for the loading and unloading of freight, in construction for the movement of materials, and in manufacturing for the assembling of heavy equipment.

Saipem 7000 Semi-submersible crane vessel

The Saipem 7000 is the world's third largest semi-submersible crane vessel, after the SSCV Sleipnir and the SSCV Thialf. It is owned by the oil and gas industry contractor Saipem S.p.A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telescopic handler</span> Industrial machine

A telescopic handler, also called a lull, telehandler, teleporter, reach forklift, or zoom boom, is a machine widely used in agriculture and industry. It is somewhat like a forklift but has a boom, making it more a crane than a forklift, with the increased versatility of a single telescopic boom that can extend forwards and upwards from the vehicle. The boom can be fitted with different attachments, such as a bucket, pallet forks, muck grab, or winch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crane vessel</span> Ship with a crane specialized for lifting heavy loads

A crane vessel, crane ship, crane barge, or floating crane is a ship with a crane specialized in lifting heavy loads, typically exceeding 1,500 t for modern ships. The largest crane vessels are used for offshore construction.

Mammoet is a privately held Dutch company specializing in engineered heavy lifting and transport of large objects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy hauler</span> Large transporter for moving oversized loads

A heavy hauler is a very large transporter for moving oversize loads too large for road travel without an escort and special permit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Self-propelled modular transporter</span> Vehicle for carrying very large objects

A self-propelled modular transporter or sometimes self-propelled modular trailer (SPMT) is a platform heavy hauler with a large array of wheels which is an upgraded version of a hydraulic modular trailer. SPMTs are used for transporting massive objects, such as large bridge sections, oil refining equipment, cranes, motors, spacecraft and other objects that are too big or heavy for trucks. Ballast tractors can however provide traction and braking for the SPMTs on inclines and descents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballast tractor</span>

A ballast tractor is a specially weighted tractor unit of a heavy hauler combination. It is designed to utilize a drawbar to pull or push heavy or exceptionally large trailer loads which are loaded in a hydraulic modular trailer. When feasible, lowboy-style semi-trailers are used to minimize the height of a load's center of mass. Typical drivetrains are 6×4 and 6×6, but 8×6 and 8×8 are also available. Typical ballast tractor loads include oil rig modules, bridge sections, buildings, ship sections, and industrial machinery such as generators and turbines.

<i>Pioneering Spirit</i> Very large platform installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel

Pioneering Spirit is a catamaran crane vessel owned by the Switzerland-based Allseas Group designed for the single-lift installation and removal of large oil and gas platforms and the installation of record-weight pipelines. The 382-metre-long (1,253 ft), 124-metre-wide (407 ft) vessel is the world's largest vessel by gross tonnage, the heaviest vehicle ever made and since September 2021 also the largest floating sheerleg in the world. It was built in South Korea by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in 2013 at a cost of €2.6 billion. It commenced offshore operations in August 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy-lift ship</span> Vessel designed to move very large loads

A heavy-lift ship is a vessel designed to move very large loads that cannot be handled by normal ships. They are of two types:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lampson International</span>

Lampson International is a crane manufacturer located in Kennewick, Washington established in 1946 by Neil F. Lampson. Lampson operates one of the largest crane fleets in the United States with a fleet including heavy lift cranes with capacities from 100 tons to 750 tons and heavy lift transi-lift cranes with capacities from 500 tons to 3,000 tons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairbairn steam crane</span>

A Fairbairn crane is a type of crane of an 'improved design', patented in 1850 by Sir William Fairbairn. There are numerous hand-powered versions around the world and one surviving steam-powered example in Bristol Docks, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beardmore Crane</span>

The Beardmore Crane was a giant cantilever crane at the William Beardmore and Company yard.

Sarens is a Belgian multinational company headquartered in Wolvertem, Belgium. Its business includes, heavy lift, engineered transport, and crane rental services. It produces a variety of equipment including cranes, transportation, gantries, jacking products, and other heavy lifting products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ALE (company)</span> UK company specialising in heavy transport and lifting

ALE was a privately held UK company specialising in heavy transport and lifting, including transportation and installation of heavy items. It was acquired by the Dutch firm Mammoet in January 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Block-setting crane</span> Crane type for installing large stone blocks

A block-setting crane is a form of crane. They were used for installing the large stone blocks used to build breakwaters, moles and stone piers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hercules crane</span>

A Hercules crane was a form of block-setting crane, developed in the 1870s. They were characterised by a wheeled, mobile gantry running on rails, surmounted by a slewing horizontal jib, held up by a kingpost.

SSCV Sleipnir Semi-submersible crane vessel launched in 2019

SSCV Sleipnir is a semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) owned and operated by Heerema Marine Contractors. It is named for Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse ridden by Odin in Norse mythology. The vessel is equipped with two revolving cranes built by Huisman Equipment B.V., each with a capacity of 10,000 t ; the main cranes can be operated in tandem to jointly lift 20,000 t. It was ordered in 2015 and built in Singapore by Sembcorp Marine. After its completion in 2019, SSCV Sleipnir succeeded Heerema's earlier SSCV Thialf as the largest crane vessel in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydraulic modular trailer</span>

A hydraulic modular trailer (HMT) is a special platform trailer unit which feature swing axles, hydraulic suspension, independently steerable axles, two or more axle rows, compatible to join two or more units longitudinally and laterally and uses power pack unit (PPU) to steer and adjust height. These trailer units are used to transport oversized load, which are difficult to disassemble and are overweight. These trailers are manufactured using high tensile steel, which makes it possible to bear the weight of the load with the help of one or more ballast tractors which push and pull these units via drawbar or gooseneck this combination of tractor and trailer is also termed as heavy hauler.

The XGC88000 crawler crane is class of extremely large ultraheavy crawler crane made by XCMG. With a lifting capacity of 3,600 to 4,000 tons, a total boom length of 144 meters and a total gross weight of 5,350 tons. The XGC88000 crawler crane became the largest tracked mobile crane in the world, beating out the previous record holder, the Liebherr LR 13000 when it officially came into production in 2013. However, when it comes to absolute size, movability, and strength, the title still goes to the Honghai Crane which runs on rails.

References

  1. ↑ Slewing is the sideways rotation of the crane.
  2. ↑ A power requirement of around 5,000 kilowatts (6,700 hp)
  3. ↑ In 2000 Van Seumeren bought Mammoet and adopted their name. [10]
  4. ↑ As of 2019
  1. 1 2 3 "Mammoet ADDINOL Eco Gear 68 S-T – the world's largest ring crane". Construction Review Online. 3 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "PTC 200-DS ring cranes". Mammoet .
  3. ↑ "PTC 200-DS Datasheet" (PDF). Mammoet .
  4. 1 2 "Sarens Giant Crane".
  5. 1 2 3 "SGC-120: the new standard in super heavy lifting" (PDF). Flyer. Sarens Group.
    "Sarens SGC-120 3200 Ton" (PDF). Datasheet. Sarens Group.
  6. 1 2 "Ready for Any Lift". Offshore Industry. Vol. 10, no. 17. 2017. pp. 36–37.
  7. ↑ "Massive SGC-120 crane used at Smulders Projects yard, Newcastle, UK". Sarens Group .
  8. 1 2 3 "Huisman's new range of super heavy lifters Compact Ringer Cranes (CRC) enter the ring". Heavy Lift Specialist.
  9. 1 2 3 "Mammoet Platform Twin Ring crane (2000 Tonner) in action in Saudi Arabia". Heavy Lift News. 18 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Van Seumeren buys Mammoet for 111m Euros". Cranes Today. 1 June 2000.
  11. ↑ "The Sarens Group Introduces Heavy-Lift Crane System". Lift and Access. 5 April 2010.
  12. ↑ This is how Sarens assembles one of the biggest cranes in the world, the SGC on YouTube
  13. 1 2 3 "Sarens Launches the Largest Crane in the World: The SGC-250". Sarens. November 2018.
  14. ↑ "SK10,000 | World's biggest crane". ALE. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  15. ↑ "M-1200 72 Ringer". Manitowoc Cranes.
  16. ↑ "Hinkley Point: World's largest crane begins work in Somerset". BBC News Online . 11 September 2019.
  17. ↑ "Big Carl: World's biggest crane starts work at Hinkley Point C". BBC News Online . 11 September 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.