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Inspections
Installation
Maintenance
Modification

Service -
Bucyrus-Erie Crane Maintenance Worldwide

Offshore platform with crane

Bucyrus-Erie Crane Maintenance Worldwide

Bucyrus-Erie: Engineering Legacy & Conbit's Support

Bucyrus-Erie was once a titan of heavy machinery, known for its massive cranes, draglines, and mining shovels. This page explores the company's rich history, its eventual acquisition by Caterpillar, and how Conbit continues to support offshore operators who rely on legacy Bucyrus-Erie crane systems, even though the original intellectual property is no longer available.

Conbit engineer inspecting a legacy Bucyrus-Erie crane during offshore maintenance.

A Century of Innovation: The Bucyrus-Erie Story

Founded in 1880 in Bucyrus, Ohio, Bucyrus-Erie quickly became a global leader in heavy equipment manufacturing. After merging with the Erie Steam Shovel Company in 1927, the company supplied 77 of the 102 steam shovels used to dig the Panama Canal, a testament to its engineering prowess. Over the decades, Bucyrus-Erie expanded into offshore and marine cranes, including models like the MK35, MK60, and MK120, which became staples on oil platforms worldwide. These cranes were known for their rugged design and long operational life.

From Bucyrus-Erie to Caterpillar

In the late 1990s, Bucyrus-Erie rebranded as Bucyrus International, reflecting its global footprint. In 2011, the company was acquired by Caterpillar Inc. for $8.6 billion, marking the end of Bucyrus-Erie as an independent entity. While Caterpillar absorbed its mining equipment portfolio, the marine and offshore crane lines were discontinued or transitioned to third-party support. Today, the intellectual property for Bucyrus-Erie's offshore cranes is held by Altrad Sparrows, who continue to service select models.

Conbit's Role: Supporting Bucyrus-Erie Cranes Offshore

Although Conbit does not own the intellectual property for Bucyrus-Erie cranes, our offshore engineering team is highly experienced in maintaining and upgrading these legacy systems.

We offer:

- Reverse engineering for critical components

- Structural integrity assessments

- Maintenance and inspection services

- Retrofit solutions to extend crane life

Whether it's an MK60 operating in the Gulf of Mexico or an MK120 stationed in Southeast Asia, Conbit ensures these cranes remain safe, compliant, and operational.

How we work

Bucyrus-Erie Crane on offshore platform
Close up of platform crane
Crane boom on offshore platform
Lattice crane on platform
Measuring connection points on crane
topside view of lattice crane
overview of offshore platform with lattice crane
offshore platform with crane
Conbit engineer and rope access technician inspecting a legacy Bucyrus-Erie crane during offshore maintenance.
Conbit engineer and rope access technician inspecting a legacy Bucyrus-Erie crane during offshore maintenance.
Lfiting crane parts on offshore platform
Load testing platform crane

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We're here to answer your questions

Do you have any technical questions, general enquiries or do you need additional information? Don’t hesitate to contact our experts. With their expertise and experience in lifting services, they will gladly help you.

You can contact us by phone or email. We’re looking forward to your questions!
Mateus Lampert

Mateus Lampert

Sales Manager