In the busy operations of modern port terminals, one piece of equipment is increasingly becoming an indispensable core asset – the Mobile Harbour Crane (MHC) , particularly the tyre-mounted type. It requires no rails and can move flexibly along the quayside on its tyres, earning it the reputation of a "multi-talented player" in port handling.
I. What Is a Tyre-Mounted Mobile Harbour Crane?
A Mobile Harbour Crane (MHC) is a large mobile lifting device specifically designed for cargo handling in ports. Unlike traditional Fixed cranes, the tyre-mounted MHC is mounted on a full-wheeled chassis and is a self-propelled, rail-less luffing crane. It combines the features of both port portal cranes and tyre-mounted self-propelled cranes, enabling flexible movement along the quayside to efficiently handle containers, bulk cargo, general cargo, and other types of goods.
Tyre mounting is one of the primary mobility modes for MHCs. Equipped with heavy-duty tyres and all-wheel steering systems, these cranes can move freely within the port area without the need for rail tracks, quickly reaching the required working positions. Compared to rail-mounted MHCs, tyre-mounted MHCs offer greater mobility and less dependence on port infrastructure, making them particularly suitable for ports that require flexible deployment and multi-berth operations.
II. Core Structural Components
A complete tyre-mounted mobile harbour crane consists of the following key components:
Undercarriage: The "feet" of the crane, equipped with heavy-duty tyres and all-wheel steering systems. Each tyre typically has independent suspension and steering devices, enabling multiple movement modes including forward, reverse, straight travel, transverse travel, diagonal travel, crabbing, rear-end swing, 8‑wheel steering, and even in-situ rotation.
Slewing platform: Mounted on the undercarriage, it can rotate 360° to provide full operational flexibility. The slewing platform houses the power system, operator cabin, and control room.
Boom system: Usually comprises a main boom and a jib, manufactured from high-strength steel with good rigidity and load-bearing capacity. The jib can be telescoped or folded as needed to suit different height and reach requirements.
Hoisting mechanism: Located between the main boom and the jib, responsible for lifting and moving heavy loads.
Electrical control system: Integrates PLCs, sensors, and various safety protection devices. Advanced variable-frequency speed control technology ensures stable and precise lifting and lowering operations.
III. Core Advantages of Tyre-Mounted MHCs
1. Flexible mobility – no rails required
This is the most prominent advantage of tyre-mounted MHCs. They do not require rail tracks or dedicated infrastructure, allowing them to move freely along the quayside and relocate quickly. For ports that frequently change berths or work areas, this mobility greatly enhances operational flexibility. Additionally, because no rail foundation is needed, tyre-mounted MHCs have relatively lower requirements for quay ground conditions, effectively reducing infrastructure modification costs.
2. Multi-purpose capability – adaptable to various cargo types
MHCs can handle multiple types of cargo, which is a key advantage over fixed-purpose equipment. By quickly changing different attachments – container spreaders, Grabs, hooks, etc. – a single MHC can seamlessly switch between container handling, bulk cargo (grain, coal, ore) loading/unloading, and general cargo (steel, timber) lifting operations.
3. Flexible investment – controllable costs
Compared to rail-mounted ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, tyre-mounted MHCs have lower investment costs. They do not require expensive rail systems or large-scale infrastructure. For small to medium-sized ports, multi-purpose terminals, or operations with fluctuating throughput, they represent a more economical choice.
4. Intelligent, efficient, safe, and reliable
Modern tyre-mounted MHCs are typically equipped with intelligent control systems, including anti-sway technology, load monitoring, remote diagnostics, and more. Taking MAXTECH's MHC products as an example, they are equipped with the MAX-AI intelligent system, which integrates core modules such as wire rope online monitoring, slewing bearing wear detection, and anti-sway precision positioning, ensuring safe and efficient operation even in the most demanding port environments.
IV. Key Technical Parameters
Tyre-mounted mobile harbour cranes cover a wide range of technical specifications to meet the needs of ports of different sizes and types:
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Lifting capacity | 10–200 tons |
| Working radius | 5–60 meters |
| Maximum lifting height | Up to 42 meters and above |
| Slewing angle | 360° full rotation |
| Travel speed | Up to 5.4 km/h |
| Vessel size served | Can serve vessels up to 22 rows of containers wide |
Taking MAXTECH's MAX-280 MHC as an example, it has a maximum lifting capacity of 64 tons, a boom length of 35 meters, an overall weight of 165 tons, can serve vessels up to 11 rows of containers wide, and has a bulk handling capacity of 800 tons per hour.
V. Typical Application Scenarios
Tyre-mounted MHCs are used in a wide range of scenarios:
Container terminals: Equipped with dedicated container spreaders, they can quickly and accurately load and unload containers, significantly improving container turnover efficiency. Liebherr's MHC products can handle all standard container sizes from 10 to 53 feet, supporting single or twin-lift operations.
Bulk cargo terminals: Fitted with grabs, they can efficiently handle coal, ore, grain, and other bulk materials.
General and heavy cargo terminals: Suitable for lifting steel, timber, large equipment, and other general and heavy cargo.
Multi-purpose terminals and Ro-Ro terminals: In scenarios with diverse cargo types and fluctuating throughput, the flexibility and multi-functionality of MHCs are particularly advantageous.
Shipyard outfitting: MHCs can also serve as important auxiliary lifting equipment during ship construction and outfitting processes.
VI. Comparison with Rail-Mounted Cranes
Tyre-mounted MHCs and rail-mounted ship-to-shore (STS) cranes each have their own strengths:
| Aspect | Tyre-Mounted MHC | Rail-Mounted STS |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility | Self-propelled on tyres, no rails required | Fixed on rails |
| Flexibility | Extremely high – can move freely between berths | Low – fixed to a specific berth |
| Cargo types | Diverse (containers, bulk, general cargo) | Primarily containers |
| Investment cost | Relatively lower | Higher |
| Operational efficiency | Flexible and efficient, single-machine operation | Very high, ideal for high-volume continuous operations |
| Infrastructure | Lower requirements | Requires rails and heavy foundations |
In short, rail-mounted STS cranes are designed for peak throughput, while tyre-mounted MHCs are designed for flexibility – they can serve any berth, handle mixed cargo, and can be resold or redeployed as port needs change.
VII. Major Manufacturers and Market Landscape
The global mobile harbour crane market is dominated by several internationally renowned companies. According to market research data, key manufacturers include Konecranes, Liebherr, Sany, Sennebogen, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, and ITALGRU, with the top five manufacturers accounting for approximately 54% of the global market share.
Liebherr: Its LHM series is a benchmark in the MHC sector, covering models from the LHM 180 to the LHM 800.
Konecranes: Its Gottwald HMK series is particularly common in European multi-purpose ports.
Sennebogen: The 883 and 885 series are known for their energy-efficient electro-hydraulic drive systems.
MAXTECH: As a well-known Chinese manufacturer of marine and port equipment, MAXTECH offers tyre-mounted mobile harbour cranes with lifting capacities from 10 to 200 tons and working radii of up to 60 meters. The products support rapid switching between spreader and grab modes for seamless transition between container handling and bulk cargo operations. MAXTECH's MHC products hold multiple international classification society certifications and serve customers across the globe.
With their unique advantages of flexible mobility, multi-purpose capability, flexible investment, and intelligent efficiency, tyre-mounted mobile harbour cranes are becoming indispensable core equipment in modern port terminals. They can move freely along the quayside without rails, handle containers, bulk cargo, and general cargo alike – truly a "single machine, multiple uses."
As global ports transition toward smart and green development, and as demand for flexible handling equipment continues to grow in small to medium-sized ports and multi-purpose terminals, the market prospects for tyre-mounted MHCs will become even brighter. Whether as a powerful supplement to STS cranes in large integrated ports or as the primary handling equipment in smaller ports, tyre-mounted MHCs are redefining efficiency standards in port handling with their exceptional flexibility and robust operational capabilities.
About MAXTECH
MAXTECH is a well-known Chinese manufacturer of ship automation equipment. The company specializes in the R&D, production, and sales of fully automatic mooring systems, marine and port cranes, and handling equipment. Its product portfolio includes vacuum suction pad automatic mooring systems, marine deck cranes, knuckle boom cranes, telescopic boom cranes, lattice boom cranes, tyre-mounted mobile harbour cranes (MHC), active heave compensation offshore cranes, container spreaders, grabs, hoppers, and more. MAXTECH holds multiple international certifications including ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, KR, and RS, and serves customers across the globe. Driven by technological innovation, MAXTECH is committed to providing advanced, efficient, and reliable ship and port automation solutions to customers worldwide.
Post time: Jun-29-2026
