On October 28, the SANY SCC98000TM crawler crane was successfully delivered to Shandong Haiwan Hoisting Engineering Co., Ltd. This marks the third time SANY Heavy Industry has broken the world record for the largest crane, following its 3,600-tonne model in 2011 and 4,000-tonne model in 2020.

The SCC98000TM has a lifting moment of 98,000 tonne-meters and holds more than 20 invention patents. It is primarily designed to meet the hoisting needs of large-scale projects such as petrochemical tanks and nuclear power plant domes. It offers two configurations: a dual-boom mode with a capacity of 4,500 tonnes and a single-boom mode with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes. It can be quickly disassembled and transported, enabling one machine to serve two purposes.

Zhang Zhihong, General Manager of Zhejiang SANY Equipment Co., Ltd., explained: "The 4,500-tonne configuration is generally used less frequently than the 2,000-tonne one. When a 2,000-tonne job is required, the 4,500-tonne crane only needs a few components replaced to be converted into a 2,000-tonne configuration. This avoids using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, resulting in lower energy consumption, a smaller footprint, and greater flexibility."

Ultra-large crawler cranes represent the pinnacle of the construction machinery industry. Without substantial accumulated expertise, developing such a product would be nothing short of a pipe dream. Even the leap from 4,000 tonnes to 4,500 tonnes still presents considerable technical challenges.

Zhang Zhihong said: "The biggest challenge was ensuring maximum commonality of the mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic power components between the 4,500-tonne and 2,000-tonne configurations. However, thanks to our successful R&D and manufacturing experience with the 3,600-tonne and 4,000-tonne models, the overall process went relatively smoothly, and we ultimately achieved over 95% component commonality."

SANY has extensive experience in the R&D of ultra-large crawler cranes. As early as 2013, it won the Second Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award for its "Key Technologies and Applications of Large-Tonnage Crawler Crane Series." SANY has advanced with an innovative spirit and has become a truly deserving "hoisting expert on tracks."

Ultra-large crawler cranes play a crucial supporting role in major engineering and construction projects. Speaking about the newly acquired SCC98000TM, Yu Limin, Chairman of Shandong Haiwan Hoisting Engineering Co., Ltd., was filled with excitement: "This is Haiwan's second crawler crane with a capacity of over 4,000 tonnes. On our journey of participating in the nation's construction and development, SANY Heavy Industry has provided us with strong equipment support and service guarantees. We will make good use of this equipment, keep up the momentum, and build more high-quality projects."

SANY Heavy Industry's technological innovation has brought outstanding products to the industry and is continuously reshaping the competitive landscape in China and around the world. We are delighted to see that today's China has stepped onto the forefront of technological development and is drawing ever closer to becoming a manufacturing powerhouse. As key core technologies are mastered, China is advancing in its own way toward the ranks of the world's equipment manufacturing powers.