Cranes are the muscle of modern construction—and crawler cranes are the heavy lifters of the lot. Designed to move with incredible loads while keeping their footing stable, these machines are engineering marvels. And every few years, someone builds a bigger one just to prove they can.
So here it is—the 2025 edition of the world’s largest crawler cranes, where Chinese giants challenge German precision, and lifting power is measured in thousands of tonnes. Let’s dive into the massive world of lattice booms, superlift systems, and jaw-dropping load moments.
1. Sany SCC45000A – 4,500 tonnes
At the top of the list is a true behemoth from China’s own Sany. Introduced in late 2021, the SCC45000A claimed the crown of the world’s largest crawler crane with an eye-watering lifting capacity of 4,500 tonnes.
What really makes this monster stand out is its maximum load moment of 98,000 tonne-metres, made possible through a twin-boom configuration. It sports a 126.5-metre main boom with a fixed jib that extends up to 48.5 metres, while an optional luffing jib stretches its system length to 216.5 metres. Add in the 62-metre twin superlift mast and a variable ballast radius, and you’ve got a crane engineered for serious nuclear, refinery, and infrastructure jobs.
There’s also a single-boom configuration that brings it down to a (still massive) 2,000 tonnes, for more standard lifts.
2. XCMG XGC88000 – 4,000 tonnes
Another heavyweight from China, the XGC88000 is a technological showpiece jointly developed by XCMG and Sinopec. Though it was slated to debut at Bauma Shanghai back in 2010, it quietly emerged later as the largest land-based crawler crane in terms of load moment, boasting a staggering 88,000 t/m.
Used primarily in petrochemical plant construction, this crane has become a symbol of China’s ability to manufacture at global scale.
3. Demag CC 8800-1 TWIN – 3,600 Tonnes
From German engineering powerhouse Demag comes the CC 8800-1 TWIN, a twin-boom monster built by enhancing the CC 8800-1 with a unique TWIN kit. That innovation doubles the lifting power to an enormous 3,600 tonnes.
First delivered in 2007 to UAE’s Al Jaber Heavy Lift, this crane was purpose-built for nuclear and refinery work. Its dual-boom design isn’t just about brute strength—it adds stability and versatility for high-risk lifts.
4. Sany SCC36000TM – 3,600 tonnes
Tied with the Demag TWIN is Sany’s SCC36000TM, introduced in 2011 as their flagship mega-crane. Designed from the ground up as a twin-boom system (not retrofitted like the Demag), this crane was made with China’s nuclear sector in mind.
Its maximum lifting moment of 86,000 tm is slightly below the SCC45000A, but still puts it among the most powerful crawler cranes ever built.
5. Zoomlion ZCC3200NP – 3,200 tonnes
The Zoomlion ZCC3200NP is one of the most powerful and technologically advanced crawler cranes in the world today. The crane adopts an overall design concept of a “parallel twin boom + front and rear crawler carriers,” which breaks away from the traditional design approach of crawler cranes. This innovative configuration significantly enhances the crane’s overall stability and resistance to tipping, greatly improving safety performance. The maximum lifting capacity reaches an impressive 3,200 tonnes.
6. Liebherr LR 13000 – 3,000 Tonnes
Germany’s Liebherr LR 13000 is one of the most well-known super cranes in the industry. Released in 2010, it remains the strongest conventional crawler crane on the planet with a lifting capacity of 3,000 tonnes.
It’s been spotted working in the Netherlands, Mexico, Germany, and various parts of Asia. What sets it apart is its balance of power, versatility, and engineering refinement, making it a go-to for complex, high-stakes jobs.
7. Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 – 2,500 tonnes
The Liebherr LR 12500-1.0 is a powerful new addition to Liebherr’s lineup of heavy-duty crawler cranes, strategically positioned between the LR 11350 and the LR 13000. With a massive lifting capacity of 2,500 tonnes, this crawler crane is purpose-built for handling the world’s heaviest industrial components—particularly in the petrochemical and offshore wind sectors where demand for ultra-heavy lifting is accelerating. First unveiled in 2022, it features Liebherr’s innovative HighPerformance Boom, a wide lattice boom system that maximizes stability without relying on a PowerBoom configuration.
Designed with global transport logistics in mind, the LR 12500-1.0 is surprisingly compact in its shipping configuration. Most components stay within a 3.5-metre transport width, and even the ballast slabs are sized like standard 20-foot containers for easy handling. In action, this crane has already proven its capabilities, including lifting 1,400-tonne monopiles for offshore wind farms in Germany. Major heavy lift companies like Sarens and Mammoet have added the LR 12500-1.0 to their fleets, confirming its role as one of the most advanced and efficient crawler cranes in operation today.
8. Manitowoc 31000 – 2,300 Tonnes
This American-made giant is the largest crawler crane ever built by Manitowoc. The 31000 is famous for its Variable Position Counterweight (VPC) system, which dynamically adjusts the counterweight position based on load conditions—helping to minimize ground prep and increase lift efficiency.
Its first delivery was made to South Korea, where it lifted critical components for a major industrial project.
9. Sany SCE22000A – 2,200 tonnes
The Sany SCE22000A is a massive 2,200-ton capacity crawler crane designed for ultra-heavy lifting applications. With a maximum lifting moment of 38,000 t·m, it features a modular design for transportability, a maximum boom length of 168 metres, and a luffing jib combination of up to 108 + 108 metres. Powered by twin Benz OM471 engines and advanced hydraulic systems, the crane is built for precision, efficiency, and safety at the highest level of performance.
10. Zoomlion ZCC32000W – 2,000 tonnes
The ZCC32000W represents Zoomlion’s leap into the ultra-heavy crane market. Unveiled in 2021, this 2,000-tonne crawler features a 32,000 t/m load moment, a maximum boom height of 168 metres, and a modular dual-boom design.
It’s built to adapt to all kinds of terrain and lifting scenarios. What’s more, it can switch between single- and dual-engine operation, allowing users to choose between fuel savings and high-power mode.
Zoomlion also made headlines by exporting this crane to Turkey—the largest crane ever shipped from China at the time.
11. XCMG XGC28000 – 2,000 tonnes
Another contender from XCMG, the XGC28000 first caught attention at Bauma China 2010. Rated at 2,000 tonnes at a 14-metre working radius, it features a maximum load moment of 28,000 tm.
Its modular design and boom/jib combinations of up to 156 metres make it a solid performer in nuclear, wind, and chemical plant construction.
12. Demag CC 8800-1 – 1,600 tonnes
Before the TWIN version, there was the Demag CC 8800-1—a powerful crane in its own right with a 26,160 tm load moment. One of its coolest features is the Boom Booster, a retrofittable system that enhances lifting capacity by up to 90% without compromising transportability.
With a hook height of up to 231 metres, this crane remains a favorite for demanding high-reach applications.
13. Sany SCC16000 – 1,600 tonnes
Sany’s entry into the 1,600-tonne class came in 2008 through a collaboration with Guangdong Power Engineering Corporation. The SCC16000 includes 20 state-authorized patents, and it was notably the first crane in China to install a 6 MW wind turbine.
It’s certified to meet international standards for Europe, North America, Russia, Australia, and Taiwan—showcasing Sany’s ambitions for global reach.
14. Liebherr LR 11350 (1,350 tonnes)
Rounding off the list is the Liebherr LR 11350, a highly versatile crawler known for its use in offshore and refinery applications. With a maximum load moment of 22,748 tm, this crane is all about flexibility and ease of transport.
It can be configured with or without a PowerBoom, and it includes both trailer ballast and suspended counterweight options, giving operators a wide range of lifting strategies.
Conclusion
From the mammoth 4,500-tonne Sany SCC45000A to the refined versatility of Liebherr’s LR 11350, the world’s largest crawler cranes are more than just machines—they’re feats of human engineering. These cranes are the unsung heroes behind power plants, offshore rigs, and the tallest structures on Earth. And with each passing year, the race for bigger, stronger, and smarter continues.
Got a favorite on the list? Or maybe you’re dreaming of a lift that could break the next record? One thing’s for sure—the sky’s no longer the limit.
