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Marine Folding Boom Crane
Model 20TX15M

Marine folding boom cranes combine high functionality with a compact design. Their robust steel structure and versatile hydraulic drive support all primary crane operations: hoisting, outreach adjustment, and slewing.

Compared to stiff boom models, these cranes require less space in the stowed position and provide a wider range of working areas during operation.

The 20TX15M model provides a lifting capacity of up to 20 t at a 15 m outreach. The stowed boom has an overall length of only 11.5 m, ensuring efficient use of space during transportation and storage. An ergonomic cabin provides comfortable working conditions for the crane operator.

Configuration

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Loading model

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Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Barbette

Barbette

(highlighted in blue)

The barbette assembly serves as a robust structural support for installation of the slewing system. The structure is securely mounted to the vessel foundation, while the internal platform provides safe and convenient access for slip ring maintenance.

Structure housing

(highlighted in blue)

The crane housing serves as the primary structure for mounting the boom, hydraulic cylinders, and the operator’s cabin. It houses the key systems, including the hydraulic oil tank, pump units, and slewing drives. The design ensures safe access for maintenance: a vessel access door and service hatch lead to the barbette platform and the slip ring assembly.

Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Structure Housing
Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Boom

Boom

(highlighted in blue)

The crane boom serves as the mounting structure for the hoisting winch. The articulated connection to the crane housing, together with the hydraulic cylinders, enables precise boom outreach adjustment, ensuring efficient execution of lifting operations.

Jib

(highlighted in blue)

The jib assembly ensures accurate guidance of the hoisting wire rope through a system of sheaves with protective rope guards. The articulated connection to the boom, together with hydraulic cylinders, provides smooth outreach adjustment, ensuring safe and stable operation.

Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Jib
Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Boom Hydraulic Cylinders

Boom hydraulic cylinders

(highlighted in blue)

The hydraulic cylinders enable boom outreach adjustment from 6.4 m to 17.7 m. Integrated counterbalance valves ensure safe load holding and allow manual emergency lowering of the boom in the event of power loss. The 4 m stowed length design ensures reliable and stable operation under all operating conditions.

Jib hydraulic cylinders

(highlighted in blue)

The hydraulic cylinders control the jib outreach, ensuring precise positioning. Counterbalance valves provide full load control and allow safe manual lowering of the jib in the event of power loss. This solution ensures uninterrupted operation even under abnormal operating conditions.

Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Jib Hydraulic Cylinders
Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Winch

Winch

(highlighted in blue)

The main winch, with a lifting capacity of up to 20 t, provides precise load hoisting and lowering. A dual braking system — comprising a disc brake and a band brake — ensures safe and reliable load holding. The winch drive supports constant, adjustable tension, enhancing efficiency and load control during operations.

Hook block

(highlighted in blue)

The hook block ensures safe and reliable handling of loads up to 20 t, providing stable lifting operations.

Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Hook Block
Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Operator Cabin

Operator’s cabin

(highlighted in blue)

The operator’s cabin provides an ergonomic workspace equipped with everything necessary for comfortable and efficient operation. The cabin is equipped with two seats: a primary operator’s seat with an integrated control station and an additional assistant seat. A climate control system with air conditioning, heating, and ventilation, together with heated windows, ensures comfortable operating conditions and clear visibility in all seasons.

Ladders and platforms

(highlighted in blue)

Ladders and platforms provide safe and convenient access for maintenance personnel, ensuring ease of operation and reliable crane serviceability.

Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Ladders and Platforms
Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Slewing System

Slewing system

(highlighted in blue)

The slewing drives provide 360° crane rotation and ensure precise positioning. Slewing brake valves securely lock the equipment in any angular position, maintaining full load control and operational safety.

Slip ring

(highlighted in blue)

The slip ring assembly ensures uninterrupted power supply to all systems during 360° continuous slewing. The unit is protected from external influences while maintaining convenient access for maintenance.

Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Slip Ring
Marine Folding Boom Crane 20TX15M 3D Model Boom Rest

Boom rest

(highlighted in blue)

The boom rest ensures structural stability in the stowed condition, effectively withstanding lateral wind loads of up to 2,000 Pa and vessel heel angles of up to 15°.

Standard configuration and options

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Standard configuration:

  • Column
  • Boom assembly
  • Platforms (set)
  • Winch with wire rope
  • Boom luffing hydraulic cylinder(s)
  • Hook block
  • Hydraulic power unit (HPU)
  • Electrical equipment
  • Hydraulic equipment
  • Local control station

Optional:

  • Cranes may be supplied without a column or with a column height customized to the customer’s requirements
  • Cranes may be supplied with an integrated HPU, a remote HPU, or without an HPU
  • Local (operator cabin or platform), remote (pendant or radio control), or combined control
  • Explosion-proof (tanker) design
  • Man-riding design
  • For explosive cargo handling
  • Auxiliary hoisting winches
  • Heave compensation
  • Floodlights
  • Custom paint color

Documentation:

The following documentation provided with the crane:

DocumentQuantity
Product Data Sheet1
Installation and Operation Manual1
Onboard Test Program and Methodology1
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Report1
Spare Parts and Tools List1

3D crane simulation

About

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Marine Giant with a Folding Arm: Inside the “Transformer” Crane

Imagine a multi-ton load that needs to be transferred from one deck to another in the open ocean. Or a piece of research equipment being recovered from a depth of 60 meters. Wind, heavy seas, and salt spray — these conditions are extreme, to say the least. This is the environment marine cranes are built for. But our featured model is more than just a heavy-duty lifting mechanism; it is a true “transformer” — a folding boom crane designed to fold away and save precious deck space.

Why It’s More Complex Than It Seems

At first glance, a crane might seem like a simple arrangement of a boom, a wire rope, and a hook. However, offshore operations add layers of complexity. A vessel is never stationary: it rolls and pitches on the waves (with a heel of up to 10° during operation and 15° in a stowed position) and may experience significant trim. Combined with gale-force winds and a corrosive saltwater environment, the challenges are immense. Engineers had to develop a mechanism that maintains precision and reliability in sea states up to 3 and temperatures ranging from -30°C to +40°C. Most importantly, it is designed for maximum compactness, folding into a stowed position to clear the deck when not in use.

What it’s Made Of: Steel Skeleton and Core

To withstand colossal loads, a crane must be robust yet not excessively heavy. Its “bones” — the welded metal structures — are fabricated from special 09G2S steel. This material performs exceptionally well in cold climates and resists overloading. The most critical components, such as the hydraulic cylinder pins, are made from even higher-strength 40X alloy steel.

How It Is Controlled: Hydraulics as Muscle

Lifting 20 tons is no task for weak electric motors. The heavy lifting is performed by hydraulic cylinders — powerful “muscles” that exert hundreds of tons of force. The crane features several: two cylinders raise and lower the main boom, while another two control the jib position. A key safety feature is the integrated counterbalance valves. In the event of a hydraulic failure, these valves lock automatically, preventing the boom from dropping under its own weight.

Load handling is managed by a dedicated winch system, capable of lowering the hook to depths of up to 80 meters. To ensure the wire rope does not twist and spools evenly onto the drum, the winch is equipped with a rope spooling device. For maximum safety, it features a dual braking system: an integrated internal brake and a secondary band brake mounted directly on the drum. This provides the same level of redundancy as having both primary and emergency braking systems in a vehicle.

Intelligence and Safety: Ensuring Zero Failures

The entire system is managed by an operator from an insulated, air-conditioned cabin featuring heated panoramic windows. However, the operator’s role is primarily to issue commands via joysticks; the precision and safety are handled by automation. The crane is equipped with an array of sensors:

  • Load Pins on the hook constantly monitor the weight, preventing the crane from exceeding its 20-ton capacity (with a 10% structural safety margin).
  • Inclinometers monitor the boom angle to ensure it stays within safe operating limits, preventing over-extension or excessive vertical positioning.
  • Lower limit switches prevent the wire rope from being completely unwound from the drum, ensuring the mandatory safety wraps remain on the drum.
  • Anemometer — a sensitive wind speed sensor. If wind pressure exceeds the limit of 400 Pa (approximately 25–28 m/s), it triggers an alarm or disables operations.

The system is designed with comprehensive interlocks: if a machine room door or a deck hatch is left open, the safety lockout will prevent the crane from starting.

“Transformer” Mode: Stowing the Crane

The most impressive part of the operation is the transition to the stowed position. Once the workday is over, the crane must be secured to protect it from potential storms. The hydraulic cylinders retract their rods: first, the jib folds against the main boom, and then the entire assembly lowers to a nearly horizontal position. The hook block is pulled tight against the jib and secured with specialized lashings. From a massive working machine, the crane transforms into a compact structure ready to face the harshest weather. The entire process resembles a stag beetle tucking away its “horns.”

This crane is a prime example of how engineering creates equipment capable of performing at the limit of human possibility, surrounded by the most unpredictable elements. It is not merely a lifting device, but a high-precision instrument that combines the raw power of metal with the intelligence of electronics.

Dimensions

Marine Folding Boom Crane 20t15m Drawing

Technical specifications

ParameterValue
Safe Working Load (SWL) at max. outreach, t20 t
Boom outreach max., m 15 m
Boom outreach min., m 3.4 m
Slewing angle, °360°
Slewing speed, rpm1 rpm
Hoisting speed, m/min10 m/min
Hook travel, m80 m

Parameters (Operating Position):

Ambient temperature, °C-30°…+40°
Heel (either side), °up to 10°
Trim (bow or stern), °up to 3°
Sea state, max.3
Wind load, Pa≤400 Pa
Vessel-induced vibrationsYes

Parameters (Stowed Position):

Ambient temperature, °С-40°…+40°
Heel (either side), °up to 15°
Trim (bow or stern), °up to 5°
Wind load, Pa≤2000 Pa
Vessel-induced vibrationsYes
Main electric motor rated power, kW60 kW
Total weight (excluding hydraulic fluid), max., t50 t
– including weight of the boom rest, kg2200 kg
Power supplyAC, 50 Hz;
400 V ±10%
Outdoor electrical equipment IP rating, min.IP56
Hydraulic working fluidAUP hydraulic oil
(TU 38.1011258-89)
Hydraulic working fluid capacity, L1200 L

General requirements and standards

  • The equipment complies with the «General Provisions for Technical Supervision» of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and is supplied with a Type Approval Certificate.
  • The equipment complies with the requirements of the Technical Regulation on the Safety of Maritime Transport.

Additional requirements

Technical requirements:

  • All electrical equipment has a protection rating of IP56
  • All materials are resistant to operating temperature conditions (-30°C to +40°C)
  • Winter lay-up temperature: -40°C
  • Painting scheme and color to be agreed with the Customer
  • Hydraulic system working fluid: AUP
  • Cleanliness class of working fluid: ≥ 12

Electrical equipment:

  • Power cables are supplied with mating connectors
  • All electrical equipment has external grounding bolts and cable glands
  • All equipment is supplied with all necessary fasteners (bolts, nuts, washers, etc.)
  • Mating connections (counter flanges) for ship piping are included in the scope of supply

Packaging and transportation. The equipment is supplied in packaging that allows for:

  • Loading by both crane and forklift
  • Transportation by road
  • Storage in open areas under a cover

Safety requirements. Safety during load handling:

  • The crane is supplied with a rope whose breaking load is four times the rated load under the most unfavorable conditions of personnel transfer
  • The hoisting and outreach winches are equipped with two normally-closed brakes
  • In case of emergency stop or power failure, the brakes are applied automatically
  • Independent testing of each brake

Emergency situations:

  • Provisions are made for the recovery of personnel to a safe position from any location in the event of a power failure
  • Boom hydraulic cylinders are equipped with check valves on both inlet and outlet manifolds
  • Required check valves are installed directly near the cylinders

Special safety devices:

  • The hook used for lifting personnel is equipped with safety latches fitted with reliable locking mechanisms preventing accidental opening
  • A locking device and/or a device operating under spring force cannot be considered a reliable securing mechanism

Control system:

  • The crane control panel is equipped with a special manual switch for entering personnel transfer / cargo lifting mode, lockable in both positions with a key
  • Indicator providing continuous visual warning when personnel transfer mode is activated
  • Automatic or manual overload protection systems are automatically disabled when personnel transfer mode is activated

Regulatory compliance

The equipment complies with the following requirements:

  • General Regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS);
  • Technical Regulation on the Safety of Maritime Transport (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 620 dated August 12, 2010);
  • SP 2.5.3650-20 (Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for Transport);
  • Other applicable requirements of Russian legislation, including sanitary and veterinary regulations, occupational health and safety requirements, and industrial safety requirements;
  • The equipment also complies with all amendments and supplements in force as of the vessel’s keel-laying date (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 719);
  • Supervision of installation and commissioning services;
  • Confirmation of industrial product manufacturing within the territory of the Russian Federation (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 719 dated July 17, 2015).