Mammoet has successfully completed the testing and trials of its 2.500t-class crane, the FOCUS30, which has been designed for lifting work in confirmed spaces.

The global heavy lifting and moving giant said the new crane undertook a series of controlled tests over the last few weeks to certify its strength and safety, and is now being disassembled, ready for mobilisation to its first project.

According to Mammoet, the FOCUS30 will enhance construction projects in oil refineries and cities where stronger regulation and a growing population means lifts are surrounded by buildings, people and vegetation. Its low ground bearing pressure helps to protect underfoot infrastructure such as tunnels and cabling and reduce disturbing the land prior to lifts.

The crane will also allow project schedules to be enhanced, for example by allowing more cabling and pipework to be installed while lifting is completed.

Testing of the FOCUS30 took place in two phases, under the watchful eye of Lloyd’s Register, an independent 3rd party surveyor who worked alongside Mammoet during design of the FOCUS30. First, the crane was assembled in its SFSL fixed jib configuration and subjected to 125% of its maximum recommended load.

Next, the crane was re-assembled, this time to its SSL configuration, with 90m boom but no jib, and again loaded with 1,250t. Testing of the crane in its SFSL configuration lasted for approximately one week, while testing in its SSL configuration lasted for three days in total.

Side load, swing load and maximum radius testing was performed during both phases, while the crane’s international crew looked on. Repositioning of its Superlift between tests took just two hours each time, rather than one to two days – a feature that will reduce plant downtime when the crane starts project work.

Following completion on both phases, the crane is now fully compliant with the EN 13000 standard for mobile cranes, and with F.E.M. 5.004, which governs the design of steel structures of general use. The crane will now be disassembled, ready for mobilisation to its first active project, which is in the UK.