XCMG Debuts 14,000-Ton Ring Crane to Transform Heavy Infrastructure

The crane operates via a modular configuration, utilizing two main units that function in tandem to achieve a staggering maximum lifting moment of 700,000 ton-meters. While the first unit is already capable of performing independent lifts, the full system is designed to provide unprecedented scale for massive infrastructure tasks. Yang Dongsheng, chairman of XCMG Group, described the project as a transformative leap that establishes a new model for integrated research and industrial application.

Technological efficiency remains a core focus of the design. The crane incorporates an electric direct-drive system that bypasses traditional mechanical constraints, reportedly cutting energy consumption by over 30% while increasing operating efficiency by 20%. This shift contributes to a lower carbon footprint for heavy worksites.

The equipment addresses a specific bottleneck in global energy development: the trend toward larger, more modular plant designs. In nuclear construction, the crane offers a unique capability, allowing a single boom configuration to manage major components for two separate reactor islands from one fixed position. Beyond nuclear, the system is optimized for offshore wind turbine installation and the assembly of massive towers and vessels as complete units. By enabling full-unit installation, the crane replaces riskier, sectional lifting methods, streamlining assembly and pressure testing for complex energy projects worldwide.