The world’s biggest crane, which is due to be installed at the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset, has been unveiled by its Belgian manufacturer.
Sarens has designed, built and will operate the SGC-250 crane, which can lift a maximum of 5,000 tonnes. Even at a radius of 100m, it can still lift 200t and while doing so the ground pressure remains below 25t/m2.
The main boom is 118m and can be extended up to 160m, while the jib can be extended up to 100m, allowing a height of 250m or a radius of 275m. The crane, which sits on double ring beams with an outer diameter of no more than 48.5m can operate two hook blocks, one on the main boom and one on the job.
It can also be relocated, fully rigged, on site form one lifting position to another, which is not something that has previously been possible among the Sarens fleet of cranes. The crane has two sets of wheels – one for slewing 360 degrees and one for travelling.
The crane will be used at Hinkley Point as part of a four-year project worth £20m for joint venture clients Bouygues Travaux Publics and Laing O’Rourke.
It is expected to lift 600 pre-fabricated components, including the five major parts of each unit’s steel containment liner and dome.
A total of 6km of rail will be laid onsite to allow the crane to travel between three different lift locations.
In addition to the SGC 250, up to 52 tower cranes will be operating at the site.
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What a great advert for the construction industry and the crane/plant section would love to see it working.
Well done to all concerned.