Tall Order

The list of reasons that lattice boom crawler cranes are the machines of choice for heavy-duty lifting on demanding projects is long. For construction of tall buildings and bridges, on renewable energy installation, especially wind turbine projects, and in industrial plant work their high stability on soft ground and long vertical reach make them ideal.

Key applications for lattice crawlers include lifting steel beams, concrete panels and other heavy materials for skyscrapers, bridges and highways. For installing and maintaining wind turbines their ability to reach great heights is unmatched. The same can be said for projects at plants and other large industrial sites where they often position heavy components with precision. Their high lifting capacity and stability also allow them to lift and position large components in shipyards.

The design of lattice boom crawlers is what makes all that possible. With their weight balanced over a platform on tracks they have exceptional stability on all kinds of terrain. At the same time, that stability transfers to the lattice boom when a long, extended vertical reach, like on tall structures, is required. On various types of jobsites as well, these machines move with ease over rough or difficult and soft surfaces.

Case in Point

At the University of Kentucky, Superior Steel Inc. of Knoxville, Tennessee, is utilizing a Link-Belt 150-ton 238 HSL lattice crawler crane as part of a $70 million campus building renovation. Delivered and set up in early 2025, the 238 HSL is lifting 650 tons of steel into place for the project, which is scheduled for completion in early 2026.

Because of the tight jobsite conditions at the on-campus building, the lattice crawler crane was fitted with 160 feet of main boom and a 40-foot jib to maximize its reach and work from one side of the build.

Superior Steel’s crane operator Thomas Hughlett, said the 238 HSL has handled every task required by the job seamlessly, working up to 12 hours a day. He went on to note that Link-Belt lattice crawler’s versatility, capacities and ability to track in a compact work site have made it the ideal crane for the project.

New Models

Tadano’s newest lattice boom crawler crane, the 1,375-ton CC 78.1250-1, boasts a maximum hook height of 736 feet when equipped with a 49-foot fixed jib. The crane can lift 154 tons in this configuration. Earlier this year, Maxim Crane Works placed an order for the first Tadano CC 78.1250-1 lattice boom crawler in the U.S.

The Tadano CC 78.1250-1 crane features a widened base structure of 11.5 feet and two available crawler shoe widths of 6.6 and 7.9 feet to adapt to various ground conditions. For jobsites with uneven terrain, an optional Pedestal Crane kit replaces the crawlers on the undercarriage with outriggers for leveling at three different bases.

On the new lattice crawler is a dual-engine arrangement to allow for single-engine operation at reduced speeds. Additionally, an optional auxiliary power unit enables cab, HVAC and lighting systems to operate using a 17kW diesel engine, reducing fuel consumption and emissions during standby operation.

Liebherr, which celebrated the 18th anniversary of their LR 1300 lattice boom crawler in 2025, has unveiled a battery-powered unplugged version of the crane. The LR 1300.2 SX unplugged is powered by a 438-kW electric motor and with a 392-kWh battery, based on the application, can be operated for up to 13 hours without a charging. Depending on available infrastructure on a jobsite, the complete battery-charging process for the machine lasts between 4.5 and 8.5 hours.

Long Life

The longevity of lattice boom crawlers was in evidence recently when Lampson International, collaborating with Manitowoc’s EnCORE team, refurbished a 24-year-old Manitowoc 2250 lattice boom crawler. The remanufactured crane is in service in Lampson’s rental fleet.

For the rebuild, the Manitowoc 2250 was overhauled to its original specifications with some modern upgrades. The process included disassembly, sandblasting, magnetic particle inspections and a component rebuild. The rotating bed received new bearings, seals and shim packs as well as rebuilt hoist and boom hoist planetary drives. The body on the machine received a new swing bearing, rebuilt motors and updated plumbing.

The refurbished Lampson crane also features upgraded electrical systems, hydraulic plumbing, rebuilt pumps and motors and a Tier 2-compliant engine. In addition, the cab was rebuilt with a new computer board and ten updated control boards were installed throughout the electrical system. The crane’s Load Moment Indicator system was also upgraded.

Product Range

Designed for the U.S. and other markets, the Zoomlion Heavy Industry NA ZCC2200AE5 220-ton lattice boom crawler crane, according to the manufacturer, offers broad performance coverage with a main boom that can achieve an angle of up to 45 degrees in luffing jib mode. The main boom and luffing jib configurations also utilize a graded counterweight design.

The Zoomlion crane also features an optional load-free fall hook functionality for dual-winch, self-hoisting counterweights and full self-assembly/disassembly capabilities. The winch is equipped with an automatic load-matching function, improving hoisting efficiency by 50% for small to medium loads.

SANY America, which has been delivering lattice boom crawler cranes in North America for almost 20 years, now offers four models ranging from 110 to 440 tons of lifting capacity. The latest generation of the company’s lattice crawlers are powered by Cummins engines and feature various boom and jib configurations.

Market Outlook

Lattice boom crawler crane manufacturers serving the North American market are keeping a watchful eye on industries that drive use of some of their largest product offerings.

“The U.S. crawler crane market is being driven by infrastructure development, renewable energy projects and construction of high-tech manufacturing sites,” Kevin Blaney, VP sales, lattice boom crawler cranes at Manitowoc said.

Link-Belt Cranes Product Manager for lattice and telescopic crawler cranes Michael Dawson noted that with infrastructure spending stable this year, demand for lattice crawler cranes remains steady. “Our forecasting models are based off years of experience and research,” he said. “In turn, we’re ensuring we maintain an inventory of cranes to support customer needs.”

“In recent years, the onshore wind market has been the source of the majority of demand for large lattice boom crawler cranes in the U.S.” said James Jatho, product manager – lattice boom crawler cranes for Liebherr USA, Co. “Current uncertainty, for both onshore and offshore wind, has cooled demand for the time being but the surge in construction of large chip plants and AI (artificial intelligence) data centers has helped keep many of these cranes busy, even if the future remains uncertain.”

The lattice crawler crane market is growing and the long-term outlook is positive, noted Joel Hicks, crawler crane project manager at SANY America. “In particular, road, bridge and precast construction and data center projects are driving demand for 110- up to 350-ton capacity lattice crawlers,” he added. “The challenge now is the uncertainty posed by tariffs so in some cases customers and manufacturers are waiting to see.”

Allen Kadow, product manager, telescopic and lattice boom crawler cranes at Tadano, reported that the lattice boom crawler crane market for the capacity classes the company serves is on the uptick. “The most popular uses for our large lattice boom crawlers are general construction, infrastructure, petrochemical, power plant construction and wind energy,” he said.

“There is still some variability with the tariff situation, which may slow the market slightly until things settle,” Kadow added. “And while we saw a slight downturn in the market in 2024, it appears to be rebounding in 2025.”