Mammoet has completed testing its SK6000, the world’s strongest land-based crane.
The testing was overseen by maritime classification services organization Lloyd’s Register, which certified the crane’s safe operation to its specification.
After reviewing the SK6000’s engineering design earlier during its development, Lloyd’s Register confirmed that the test program was suitable to prove its capacity charts. Testing was then conducted at Mammoet’s Westdorpe facility in the Netherlands over a three-month period.
A comprehensive functional test program confirmed the crane operated to its specification, and to the strictest safety levels. This was followed by structural and stability testing, during which the SK6000 was subjected to a range of lift weights and conditions, proving that all components are able to withstand 125 per cent overload.
These tests covered the maximum extents of all load charts for the crane, for all main mast configurations, from the shortest (127 metres) to longest (171 metres).
At its most strenuous, this process tested the crane to a maximum load moment of 520,000 tonne metres. This is more than one and a half times greater than the rated load moment of the SK350, which was previously the world’s strongest land-based crane.
The SK6000 will helps Mammoet’s customers in the energy sector build on a larger scale than ever before, using modularized construction techniques to build in parallel and enhance the efficiency of assembly phases.
Wind ready
As offshore wind components grow to reach stronger wind flows, the SK6000 ensures the future constructability of today’s planned wind farms. As the market develops, and lifting to heights beyond 171 metres are required, its jib can be fitted to enable lifts of 3,000 tonnes to 220 metres.
In the nuclear sector, the SK6000 reduces on-site construction time and increases safety by allowing larger mass components to be constructed in controlled conditions and assembled quickly.
In oil and gas, its huge capacity and outreach allows maintenance and upgrade projects to take place with reduced disruption, and new-build projects to deliver economies of scale.
Fully electric operation
Mammoet’s SK6000 has been tested for fully electric operation. It now offers zero-emission capability to projects taking place anywhere in the world.
The SK6000 can now operate directly from grid power or, at sites without power network access or with supply stability issues via batteries or hydrogen generators.
Testing was carried out using two 600 kWh battery boxes from power supply specialist Bredenoord, connected in series to deliver 1,200 kWh; around the same output as 20 electric cars.
Connection took a day shift, in parallel with test weight reconfiguration activity. This proves that the use of batteries has minimal impact on site operations.
“Thanks to this test we can now say that the SK6000 operates fully zero-emissions on-site,” said Niek Bezuijen, Global Sustainability Advisor at Mammoet.
“Electrification isn’t a matter for the future of heavy lifting – it is needed now, and through innovations like this Mammoet can help its customers lead on safety, efficiency, sustainability and cost.”
The SK6000 will now be boomed down and containerized, ready for shipping to its first project in early 2025.
