Meet 'Big Carl,' the world's largest crane, which can lift 3,000 tons and takes 250 trucks to move

Brittany ChangSep 26, 2019, 00:02 IST

SGC-250, more affectionately known as "Big Carl" is now working on the UK's first nuclear power plant in 30 years, the Hinkley Point C.
Big Carl was transported from Belgium on over 250 trucks and can carry about 3,000 tons at a time.
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SGC-250, more affectionately referred to as "Big Carl", is the world's largest crane, and it's now working on its first project: a nuclear plant.

Big Carl was designed in-house by Sarens, a Belgium-based crane rental service. The crane was shipped from Ghent, Belgium to the Hinkley Point C project location in Somerset, UK on over 250 trucks over a period of months, according to Sky News.

It recently began operation at the project this month, the BBC reported.

Hinkley Point C is being built by EDF Energy and is slated to be the first nuclear plant to be built in the UK in 30 years. It's projected to be completed by 2025, and building the plant will cost around £20.3 billion, or $25.4 million.

Big Carl will be lifting over 600 components for the project, including the heaviest of the components of the project, according to Sarens. More than six kilometers, about 3.73 miles, of rails were laid for the crane that can carry 3,000 tons.

Keep scrolling to see Big Carl in the process of working on its first project:

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The SGC-250, more affectionately referred to as “Big Carl”, is the world’s largest crane.

SGC-250 stands for “Sarens Giant Crane 250.”

Big Carl was designed in-house by Sarens.

It was shipped from Ghent, Belgium, to Hinkley Point in Somerset, UK, to begin work on a new power station, the Hinkley Point C.

The project is scheduled to be finished by 2025, according to Sky News.

Building the plant will cost around £20.3 billion, about $25.4 million.

It’s the first nuclear plant to be built in the UK in 30 years.

The crane is being used to install concrete, steel structures, and reactor equipment for the power station

Big Carl is projected to lift over 600 components for the project, most of which are the heaviest pre-fabricated components.

The crane was transported on over 250 trucks.

It can operate at almost 820 feet high.

More than 3.73 miles of rails were laid for the crane.

Big Carl can move 360 degrees on its axis.

The crane is supported by 52 counterweight containers, each weighing 100 tons.

It can carry 3,000 tons.

Big Carl is powered by 12 motors, according to ITV.

The crane has a radius reach of 275 meters, about 902 feet.

There are 53 other cranes at the site, and Big Carl will be used primarily at night.

The UK power station is Big Carl's first project, according to Sarens.

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