Gulf Construction Online - Demag rolls out a powerful flagship

Cranes

The CC 8800 ... sets new standards.

Demag rolls out a powerful flagship

01 August 2002

A new mobile crane said to be one of the most powerful of its kind in the world, has recently been launched on the market by Demag of Germany.

"The flagship CC 8800 1,250-tonne crane is a truly Demag innovation," says company spokesman Roland Schug. "It is the world's most powerful lattice-boom crawler crane whose transport components are no wider than 3.5 m. It also offers an impressive maximum boom length of 216 m. The CC 8800 thus sets new standards in the large crane category in terms of both performance and cost-efficiency."

Detailing the technology put into the crane, he says: "Rapid assembly and crane components optimised in terms of both size and weight constitute important factors for keeping operating costs down. In the CC 8800, no single component weighs more than 40 tonnes and no item is wider than 3.5 m. All the drive components, such as the engines, hydraulics and electrics are accommodated in a special container called the power and control module. This compact unit is transported as a single package and connected to the superstructure on site, so ensuring cost-efficient transportation of the crane throughout the world. Problems with approvals can be permanently assigned to the past.

Two-day set up

"The sophisticated assembly logistics enable the CC 8800 to be completely set up in just two days. Fast erection is further facilitated by, for example, the identical crawler side frames. These can be mounted on the left or the right - and without the need for an assist crane. The crawler tracks can likewise be fitted with ease and speed thanks to a tensioning system for which a patent application is currently pending. The crawler tracks exhibit minimum susceptibility to soil retention thanks to a special concept: the teeth of all four hydraulic drive units simply squeeze the dirt and mud out of the track as travel operations progress.

Quick fittings

"Special quick-connect fittings provide the connections for the rope drums, cylinders and hydraulic motors in the carrier and superstructure. This system is not only fast, it also requires no more than minimum force. All the rope drums are identical and easy to install, so significantly facilitating both maintenance and transport.

"The boom can be assembled off the ground, that is, freely suspended in the air, with the aid of the SL mast. The essential advantages here are a reduced space requirement and avoidance of damage during assembly.

"The counterweight sections are identical for all the current range of lattice-boom machines from Demag, with all the logistical advantages that this entails.

"All the working ranges can be covered with just one hook block. A new modular kit, also the subject of a pending patent application, is all that is required.

Power for ancillary supply

"The CC 8800 generates its own electricity for use both within the machine and for ancillary equipment such as floodlighting on the job site and electric power tools. So no matter where the crane is used, power availability is never a problem.

Boom system

"The SSL/LSL main boom system itself allows lengths of up to 150 m to be achieved. The CC 8800 can be operated in a working range from 9 to 154 m, so giving it an enormous radius. The maximum boom length is 216 m. The main boom and jib have the same system dimensions. This eliminates the need of a reducer and a third head, which in turn means a significantly smaller number of boom components. With the SFVL vessel lifter, it is possible to upright columns weighing up to 400 tonnes and measuring over 100 m in length. So constructors around the globe can choose from considerably more plant erection options.

Crane control

"The crane cabin, the operator's workstation, has been designed to give maximum space and comfort. It is integrated in the power and control module and ensures optimum working conditions even - or especially - on long jobs. The standard equipment includes an air-conditioning unit, refrigerator, table and cupboard plus plenty of stowage space.

''The entire workstation including the seat and the consoles with instrumentation and controls can be tilted backwards within the power and control module, so providing for a relaxed working position for the crane operator.

''Camera systems help in monitoring the rope drums and the counterweight carriage or tray. The appropriate camera is activated in accordance with the functions selected, such as lift, slew, travel, derrick/luff.

"The latest control technology from Demag in the form of the IC-1 has also been integrated in the CC 8800. With the colour display and touch-screen data input system, the crane can be configured and controlled with the utmost ease.

Performance

"Aside from a large working range, the CC 8800 is noteworthy for its maximum lifting capacity of 1,250 tonnes. Best-in-class capacity values in all the working ranges and boom positions ensure the suitability of this giant for a wide range of applications and different site types around the world. The maximum load moment reads 20,640 tm, and the maximum line pull is 332 kN. At 120 m/min, the rope speed is also a top value, so facilitating fast operating times on site."

"The entire concept of the CC 8800 heralds a new era in large crane technology, Schug says. "The innovations incorporated create a workhorse which is second to none in terms of both technology and cost-efficiency."