What You Need to Know
Higher, heavier, further – lifting technology is no longer just about standard solutions. Certain industries require machines that push physical boundaries. Whether heavy industry , power plant construction , or offshore assembly – anyone working in these fields needs specialized technology that represents the pinnacle of technological feasibility.
In this article, we introduce you to the world's largest lifting machines: the most powerful forklifts , the highest work platforms —including the largest truck-mounted work platform —and the most powerful cranes ever built. We'll also show you who they were built for, what they're used for, and why their size isn't just impressive, but necessary.
The world's most powerful forklifts – maximum load capacity
1st place: Kalmar DCG720-10LB
This forklift is no longer a vehicle, but a mobile heavy-duty platform. With a load capacity of 72 tons , the DCG720-10LB lifts loads that would otherwise only be handled by cranes. Designed for steel mills, shipyards, and port handling , it offers not only power but also precision – thanks to sensitive hydraulics and sophisticated load distribution.
For whom? Operators in the heavy metals industry, where coil, slab, and block are no longer sorted manually.
Why? Because production downtime with 60 tons of material loss is not an option.
| Nominal load at LSP | 72 tons |
| Dead weight | 93.5 t |
| Lifting height | 4 m |
| Engine power | 285 kW |
| Driving speed with/without load | 22/27 km/h |
2nd place: Toyota THD12500-48
With a load capacity of around 56 tons and a compact design, this forklift is designed for maximum load capacity while requiring minimal space. It's often found in sawmills, foundries, and manufacturing plants where large molded parts need to be moved, but there's not much room for maneuvering.
What makes it special? The combination of maneuverability, robust technology, and reliable drive.
3rd place: Hyster H1050XD
With a 47-ton load capacity and excellent visibility from the cab, this forklift is particularly impressive in container and long-load logistics. It delivers speed, especially where stacking operations and tight time frames are routine – without any safety risks.
The world's largest work platforms – height access in extremes
1st place: Bronto Skylift S112 HLA – the largest truck-mounted work platform in the world
This platform from Finnish manufacturer Bronto has a working height of 112 meters , but is mounted on a truck chassis . It's ideal for use on wind turbines, in refineries, or for high-altitude rescue in the event of fires .
Since its introduction, it has been used worldwide by fire departments, construction companies and maintenance firms.
| Working height | 112 m |
| reach | 33 m |
| payload | 700 kg |
| Platform size (L × W) | 2.4 × 1.05 m |
| Total weight | 74 tons |
2nd place: Palfinger P 1000
With a working height of 102.5 meters, the Palfinger P 1000 is the highest all-terrain work platform in the world. It was specially developed for demanding applications such as the maintenance of wind turbines, churches or high-rise buildings.
Mounted on a five-axle all-terrain chassis, it offers a lateral reach of up to 35 meters and a maximum basket load of 600 kg.
3rd place: Snorkel 2100SJ
With a working height of 66 meters, the Snorkel 2100SJ is currently the world's tallest self-propelled telescopic boom lift. Its reach is over 30 meters. What's special about this platform is that it does n't require a crane to reach this height—it moves independently.
It is used where everything else falls short : wind farms, high-voltage lines, special installations on tall buildings.
Why isn't there anything higher? Because the technical limit for self-propulsion is realistically reached at 66 meters – more height currently requires a crane or special construction.
4th place: JLG 1850SJ
With a working height of 58 meters , it's just behind – but significantly more compact in design. The 1850SJ is considered the "quick starter" among high-altitude platforms: ready for use within minutes, precisely controllable, and extremely load-bearing.
Where is it used? Primarily in industrial maintenance and specialized scaffolding, where time is money.
The world's most powerful cranes – superlative heavy-duty technology
1st place: Taisun
No crane has ever lifted more: 20,133 tons in a single lift – a world record. Taisun is located in a Chinese dock and is specially built to lift entire ship hulls in one piece .
What makes it unique? Its static construction – it's permanently installed, but so efficient that it has revolutionized the construction process of entire ships.
| Safe workload | 20,133 tons |
| Height | 133 meters |
| range | 120 meters |
| Maximum lifting height | 80 meters |
| Dry dock length | 380 meters |
| Wire rope length | 50,000 meters |
2nd place: SGC-250 “Big Carl”
Sarens' super crane is moved on rails, lifts up to 5,000 tons and is currently being used in the construction of the British nuclear power plant Hinkley Point C.
Why the hype? It combines gigantism with mobility – and can drive around the construction site while lifting.
3rd place: Liebherr LR 13000
The world's most powerful crawler crane – 3,000 tons lifting capacity , over 140 meters hook height . Frequently used in large-scale projects such as refineries or in specialized foundation engineering.
What makes it special: It is available worldwide and can be transported modularly – despite its size, it remains flexible.
Technology at the limits of what is possible – but for good reason
The higher the construction, the heavier the production, the more complex the assembly, the more sophisticated the technology required to support it. The machines presented here aren't just for show at trade fairs—they are in daily use around the world, under the toughest conditions.
And that's precisely why it's worth taking a look at this extreme class of lifting technology. Not out of amazement, but out of understanding what's possible—and necessary— when standard solutions reach their limits.
And how high can you go with BIBERGER?
Quite simply: Working heights of up to 64 metres – with the latest technology, reliably maintained and ready for use throughout Germany.
Whether it's a telescopic , scissor , articulated , or truck-mounted platform , we deliver what you need. And yes, we can't go any higher than that at the moment – but we'd rather tell you honestly where we stop than promise you something we can't keep.
If your project takes place under 64 meters , you've come to the right place in Germany and Austria .
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The subject content on biberger.de are editorially created, reviewed, and continuously updated. The basis is our daily work with aerial platforms, telehandlers, and industrial trucks – in rental, sales, operational planning, and technical support.
Each article draws on real-world experience and is editorially reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and practical relevance according to expert criteria. Technical statements are regularly compared against current industry standards and best practices.
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