Ruston-Bucyrus CH70

The CH70 is the flagship 70-ton capacity crawler crane from Ruston-Bucyrus, designed for heavy-duty lifting operations on construction, industrial, and foundation sites. Built with a robust steel chassis and pin-jointed boom system, the crane provides a flexible working range with a 54-meter (177 ft) maximum boom and an optional 24-meter (78.7 ft) fly jib. These configurations deliver a maximum lifting height of up to 65.38 meters (214.5 ft) and a wide operational radius, supported by precise hydraulic control.

The crane’s power unit is a Cummins 6BTA 5.9 diesel engine delivering 126 kW (169 hp) at 2100 rpm as standard, with an optional Cummins 6CTA 8.3C engine rated at 175 kW (234 hp). Fuel capacity is 300 liters, while hydraulic oil capacity reaches 250 liters. The load-sensing hydraulic system is driven by variable displacement pumps, providing ultra-fine control and efficient fuel use by automatically matching output to lifting demand.

Main, boom, and auxiliary winches are driven by radial piston or bent-axis hydraulic motors, offering line pulls up to 12 tonnes at speeds of 0–70 m/min, with heavier rope options achieving pulls of 14.8 tonnes. Each drum is equipped with heavy-duty clutches and spring-set, hydraulically released brakes. For boom control, the unit includes a bent-axis motor-driven drum and planetary gearbox, combined with a locking pawl for secure operation and a self-erecting rear A-frame.

The undercarriage is built for stability with 6340 mm long and 4540 mm wide extended crawlers. Crawler steering and motion are managed via electro-hydraulic actuation, supporting independent drive and pivot turning through a single control lever. Transport width is a manageable 3.48 meters when tracks are retracted.

Operator comfort is a key design element, with a noise-insulated cab, full servo joystick controls, and standard features like a stereo system. Safety features include locking valves, optional safe load indicators, and swing locks, all compliant with BS 1757 (1986) and ISO 4305 standards. Published ratings are conservative, not exceeding 75% of tipping load capacity.

In addition to lifting, the CH70 is suitable for dragline and clamshell applications with drag buckets up to 1.53 m³ and clamshell configurations rated up to 5.4 tonnes. Options include air conditioning, third drum, low cab setup, and wider track plates for added flotation.

The Ruston-Bucyrus CH70 blends traditional structural toughness with modern hydraulic control, offering a highly capable lifting platform for heavy and variable jobsite demands.