Continuous communication, attentive transmission

NGC has been part of a breakthrough in major national strategic equipment as China's transmission powerhouse, and once again demonstrated its engineering prowess. The world's first 14,000-ton ring crane rolled off the production line in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, recently, with a transmission system from NGC. The result – a major leap forward in domestic self‑reliance for large-scale module hoisting in the nuclear power field and a significant milestone in high-end heavy-duty equipment manufacturing.

On August 28, 2026, the world's first 14,000-ton ring crane, a joint development of Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG) and Sinopec Heavy Lifting & Transportation Co., Ltd., rolled off the production line in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. Capable of hoisting all the modules for the Hualong One 2.0 dual‑island nuclear power project from a single position and single boom configuration, the crane significantly improves efficiency on the construction site, setting a new global benchmark for ultra-large-ton ring cranes.

(Source: Xuzhou Release)

(Source: Xuzhou Release)

Since first kicking off joint research and development in October 2025, NGC's deep integration into the process has included transmission system concept validation, simulation iteration, and design optimization alongside extensive collaboration with upstream and downstream partners across the industry chain to tackle key technical challenges. Faced with the demanding, complex operating conditions of the 14,000-ton super crane, NGC's R&D team has innovatively applied proprietary core technologies that include multi-stage, multi-planet gear load sharing, quantitative bearing preloading, and localized laser quenching of castings.

The reducers were subjected to hundreds of simulation iterations and hundreds of hours of rigorous bench tests from concept refinement to product finalization, their reliability thoroughly validated at every stage. In all, only seven months were needed from the moment research and development began to the delivery of the final product. Such a remarkable delivery time and the two core transmission products used for this project, which meet advanced international standards across multiple key technical indicators, would not have been possible without NGC's deep transmission technology reserves and end-to-end APQP quality management system.

The Winch Reducer: A Powerful Foundation for Hoisting Safety

The power source for the crane's main hoisting system, the winch reducer, is exceptionally strong and provides ultra-high output torque. By employing an approach that is both modular and customized, it manages to achieve high torque without compromising on compactness. Innovative localized laser quenching of castings and high-precision internal gear milling balance high-precision processing with the cost-efficiency of mass-production, and the input end features a customized dual-sealing solution to ensure durable, reliable sealing protection. Extensive no-load, fatigue, overload, and static load tests demonstrated superior performance in vibration, temperature rise, and noise control, ensuring the ultimate in safety for hoisting for the Hualong One 2.0 nuclear power project.

 

(Source: Xuzhou Release)

The Traveling Reducer: A Powerful Drive for Precise Heavy-Duty Repositioning

The traveling reducer delivers high output torque to reposition 10,000-ton cranes under heavy loads smoothly and precisely. The modular, customized design of the reducer integrates core technologies such as multi-stage, multi-planet gear load sharing and quantitative bearing preloading. Suited to complex project environments such as nuclear power and petrochemical sites, it is capable of fully meeting the rigorous demands of uninterrupted operation over long periods.

These two reducers have been specially engineered for 10,000-ton ring cranes to fulfill the two vital jobs of hoisting and repositioning. Their exceptionally reliable custom designs equip them to withstand the complex, harsh operating conditions in the nuclear power and petrochemical industries, ensuring long‑term, stable transmission for major national projects for the extent of the 20-year lifespan of the crane.

This project, which saw XCMG employ NGC transmission components in the 14,000-ton ring crane, represents a major achievement in collaborative innovation for the industry and a major technical breakthrough in core transmission components for ultra-large-ton ring cranes.

Independent, controllable high-end equipment is of vital strategic significance to China as it enters this crucial phase of large-scale nuclear power development. Guided by the 15th Five-Year Plan, the need for new quality productive forces, and the strategic goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, the country has sought to harness the clean, low-carbon possibilities of nuclear power to establish a new pillar for its energy system and promote a comprehensive green transition of the economy and society. And NGC will be there with innovation and advanced research into high-end transmission technology. Driving independent breakthroughs in core components for major equipment in service of the real economy and the high-quality development of the nuclear power industry, it will continue to contribute robust transmission solutions and sustained manufacturing momentum to China's energy mix and dual carbon goals.

About NGC's Construction Machinery Business

NGC has been committed to providing the very best in reducer and transmission solutions since its founding in 1969. In 2017, the Group entered the construction machinery industry, tapping into its more than 50 years of expertise to provide clients with mature, reliable, professional, and highly customized transmission solutions. Boasting a rich portfolio of dependable, high-quality products for excavators, hoisting machinery, piling and tunneling equipment, road construction and maintenance machinery, and wide-body dump trucks, combined with top-notch service, NGC has stood the test of time to become a trusted partner in the global transmission sector.