Russia: The manufacturer has announced the completion of R&D work on its FM-250 rail-mounted crane and shared details of the project via its Telegram channel. The proposed design offers a lifting capacity of 250 t, extending the company’s range of cranes previously rated at 150 and 200 t. Development began in 2024 in response to a request from Russian Railways.
According to Chelyabkranservice, the key engineering objective was to achieve a unique combination of functions, enabling the crane to be used for both recovery and bridge-laying operations, as well as for work on elevated structures associated with high-speed lines. “The overall challenge was to significantly increase lifting capacity at large boom radii while reducing the support base and axle load”, the company explains.
The FM-250 design retains an eight-axle chassis, with stability ensured by several technical solutions, including a detachable outrigger bogie mounted ahead of the automatic coupler, additional counterweight platforms, balanced telescopic outriggers, and an independently moving boom, among other features. “Only proven and realistic engineering solutions tested by generations of crane builders have been applied”, the manufacturer notes.
FM-250 crane project with 250-t lifting capacity from Chelyabkranservice. Source: Chelyabkranservice
The resulting design offers a rated lifting capacity of 250 t at a boom radius of 8 m and approximately 80 t at 27–28 m. Chelyabkranservice says these figures set a new record among cranes built for the 1,520 mm-gauge market, and the combination of functions provided by the FM-250 is believed to be unprecedented for rail-mounted cranes worldwide.
However, the manufacturer also acknowledges that the FM-250 may not be ordered by Russian Railways in the near term due to current economic conditions. The company adds that another Siberian rail operator has expressed interest in similar equipment.
