Features Cranes Lifting Equipment
Crawl stars: our 2024 crawler crane roundup

Crawler cranes reinvent the wheel by replacing it: their tracked conveyors bring lifting prowess to life across a wide variety of applications, on- and off- road. From confined urban spaces to rough, uneven terrain, these cranes’ combination of mobility, ruggedness and lifting power have secured them a spot as a staple of lifting equipment arsenals.

A 10-year outlook on the crawler cranes market, published by Fact.MR, expects this demand to continue to grow. The global market for crawler cranes is expected to increase with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent, expanding from $4.54 billion in 2023 to a forecasted $7.19 billion in 2033.

With their role in the future of heavy lifting solidly established, we’ve gathered some of the new, exciting models that are helping construction crawl forward at a faster pace.

Kobelco’s G-4 series

Global lifting solutions manufacturer Kobelco closed out 2023 with the launch of its next generation of hydraulic crawler cranes, the G-4 series.

Kobelco’s CKE900G-4 is just one of three models in its new G-4 series of hydraulic crawler cranes.(Photo: Kobelco)

The line is comprised of three new hydraulic crawler models: the CKE900G-4 with 100 metric tonnes x 3.6m maximum lifting capacity, the CKE1350G-4 with 150 metric tonnes x 4.4m maximum lifting capacity and the CKE2500G-4, which features a 250 metric tonnes x 4.6m maximum lifting capacity.

A variety of maximum boom lengths is available across each model in the line. The CKE900G-4 sports a maximum length of 61 metres, with the CKE1350G-4 reaching maximum lengths of 76.2 metres and the CKE2500G-4 leading the pack with a maximum length of 91.4 metres.

All machines are built on the same technology and design principles of previous G-series models, including reliability, durability and ease of operation and transportation, according to a press release from Kobelco.

Each crawler crane is equipped with a Stage V-compliant, turbocharged ISUZU engine with water cooling and in-line six-cylinder direct injection. The CKE 1350G-4 and CKE2500G-4 are powered by an ISUZU 6UZ1 9.84l, while the CKE900G-4 features an ISUZU 6HK1 7.79l.

The G-4 series makes use of Kobelco’s traditional hydraulic control system for intuitive operation and powerful results. Lever operations feature an audible start for drum movement, with hydraulics allowing for firm stopping or turning during movement.

Manitowoc MLC80A-1

Manitowoc’s MLC80A-1 lattice-boom crawler crane brings the versatility of crawler cranes to its entire design. The machine is designed to be transported with minimal permitted loads and features an increased hook height for complete self-assembly with various trailer heights.

Manitowoc’s MLC80A-1 lattice-boom crawler crane is designed for simplicity in both transportation and assembly. (Photo: Manitowoc)

Additionally, in-boom self-assembly sheaves reduce assembly time by allowing for assembly processes without the installation of the boom top. The machine is designed with a gantry-raised counterweight that reduces components and streamlines maintenance, with button-style wire rope terminations making for easy reeving.

Each crawler assembly is 6.468m long, featuring 900mm-wide steel-cast crawler pads and sealed intermediate rollers. Each crawler is individually powered by a variable displacement hydraulic loader.

The MLC80A-1 weighs in at 80 tons, with a 55-metre boom that includes a five-metre insert and three 12-metre inserts. Its independent boom hoist consists of a single drum grooved for 20mm-diameter rope.

The machine is powered by a Cummins QSB6.7 Tier 4f diesel engine, rated 224kW at 2100 RPM, that independently drives all machine operations through multi-hydraulic pump transmissions. The power system is also comprised of 240 V engine block and pan heaters, air intake heaters and a cooling system that uses a variable-speed hydraulic cooling fan alongside hydraulic oil, charge air and fuel coolers.

The cab has also been designed to optimize operator experiences, featuring redesigned consoles for 10 per cent more legroom, a high-back chair with headrest, moveable riser supports and six-way moveable seating.

SANY SCA900TB

SANY’s newest telescopic boom crawler, the SCA900TB, offers the longest boom in its class at 60 metres. This five-section boom provides a lifting capacity of 90USt at 10 feet, with a net power of 325 horsepower driven by a Cummins QSL9-C325 engine.

The SCA900TB telescopic boom crawler crane from SANY offers highest-in-class reach thanks to a 60-metre, five-section boom. (Photo: SANY)

Its two-piece, bi-fold jib of 10.2 and 17.4 metres offsets at 0, 15 and 30 degrees, offering a maximum tip height of 60 feet. Its lifting power is complemented by the machine’s compact design and self-retracting crawlers and self-assembly jacks, suited for steep operations and tight steering.

Variable displacement piston pumps provide power for the main machine functions while two gear pumps provide power for radiator and control circuits. An electrically controlled positive hydraulic flow control also supports multifunction operation with safety and precision.

SANY has designed the SCA900TB with an array of safety support features, including a third wrap indicator, seat interlock and virtual wall and harness tie-offs. It also comes with self-diagnosis features that provide precise details and alerts for ease-of-use regarding all maintenance issues or troubleshooting.

These data insights also serve to drive operations, with a 10.4-inch full-colour touchscreen monitor providing real-time information and visual updates on ground bearing pressure, wind speed, radius, boom length and boom angle. A standard vision package, including winch, swing, boom tip and rear-view cameras, also keeps operators in the know with increased visual awareness.

Liebherr’s LTR1150

Liebherr has designed its new telescopic crawler crane with a focus on economical transport, with no-frills hauling features that are unmatched by other telescopic crawlers in its 150-ton lifting class.

Liebherr’s newest telescopic boom crawler crane, the LTR1150, extends the mobility of crawler cranes to numerous features supporting efficient transportation. (Photo: Liebherr)

The LTR1150 can be transported in full, including its crawler carriers, on a single low loader within a width of 3.5 metres Each crawler carrier weighs in at 11 tonnes, and when transported together on a standard semi-trailer, have a width of 2.55 metres.

This simple-use approach is also reflected in its assembly process: counterweights can be ballasted on the crane with four hoists, with an AutoBallast option making for a simple, one-button ballasting and set-up process.

The 60-tonne machine’s telescopic boom length ranges from 11.4 metres to 52 metres, with a lattice jib ranging from 2.9 metres to 33 metres in length. Operations are driven by an in-house Liebherr 4-Zylinder-Diesel engine with up to 218kW of power.

Liebherr’s patented VarioBase system, alongside wind speed load charts, help calculate the optimal lifting capacity and safe operations for a wide array of crane configurations and wind speeds, from confined, low-height spaces to open-air wind power operations.

An ECOmode option has been included by Liebherr to drive sustainable operations. When activated, the option lowers CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent and minimizes carbon and noise emissions by calculating the optimal engine speed based on working speed inputs from the operator.