The tower crane XGT15000-600S can extend to a maximum height of 400 meters. [Photo provided to etaizhou.gov.cn]
The world's largest horizontal slewing self-elevating tower crane – called the XGT15000-600S – passed its dynamic loading test on Feb 28 and will be used in the construction of Changzhou-Taixing Yangtze River Bridge, a mammoth structure which on completion will link Jiangsu province's Changzhou and Taizhou cities in East China.
The XGT15000-600S crane is especially designed for bridge construction – able to lift a maximum load of 600 metric tons, equivalent to hoisting 400 cars aloft at the same time.
The total design height of the bridge's main tower is 352 meters and the tower crane is currently working to lift key sections of the bridge.
The tower crane will handle the heavy lifting of components – operating at high construction heights and conducting a wide range of operations for the project.
At present, the tower crane has been extended to 250 meters and is expected to rise to 379 m when the bridge's main tower is capped, which will set a record height in the field of bridge construction.
The bridge, with a total length of 10.03 kilometers, is set be the first river-crossing structure over the Yangtze River that integrates an expressway, intercity railroad and a primary highway.