Mammoet teams up with Liebherr for SK6000’s advanced winch system

Four Liebherr-supplied rope winches each deliver a line pull of 600 kN, allowing the SK6000 to achieve its immense lifting capacity of 6,000 tonnes. Photo: Liebherr

Dutch heavy-lift company Mammoet set a new benchmark in the lifting industry with the construction of what it claims as the world’s strongest onshore ring crane, the SK6000. A standout feature of this crane is its powerful rope winches, supplied by Liebherr. Designed with Liebherr’s advanced drive technology, these rope winches enable the SK6000 to handle exceptional lifting capacities, the company said. 

The SK6000 is capable of operating entirely on electricity, which helps reduce the carbon footprint of major industrial projects. Central to this functionality are the four Liebherr-supplied gear ring rope winches, each delivering a line pull of 600 kN, allowing the SK6000 to achieve its immense lifting capacity of 6,000 tonnes.

Both Mammoet and Liebherr worked closely to design and fine-tune the winches to meet the specific demands of the SK6000. This collaborative effort ensured the winches met not only the crane’s immense lifting requirements but also maintained compactness, a key feature for transport and assembly worldwide.

“Our collaboration with Mammoet showcases the versatility and strength of Liebherr’s drive technology,” said Markus Groeber, technical sales engineer, Liebherr Drive Technology. “For the SK6000, we equipped the winches with Liebherr’s own gear rings, gearboxes and electric motors, creating a system that offers unmatched lifting power and efficiency.”

Read more Crane and Transport Briefing coverage of the SK6000 here.