Hercules’ Hall of Fame: The Most Impressive Lifts in History

Lifting the Impossible: How Human Ingenuity Defied Gravity

From ancient monuments to modern megastructures, lifting has always been at the heart of human progress. Each generation of engineers, riggers, and crane operators has found new ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible — and to safely move what once seemed immovable.

At Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, we celebrate the precision, strength, and skill that define our industry. In this Hall of Fame, we look back at some of the most impressive lifts in history, exploring not just the raw power behind them, but the rigging ingenuity that made them possible.

1. The Millau Viaduct – France’s Towering Bridge

The Millau Viaduct, soaring over southern France’s Tarn River Valley, holds the title as one of the tallest bridges in the world — taller even than the Eiffel Tower at its highest point.

Constructed between 2001 and 2004, this bridge required massive crane systems and precision rigging to lift its steel deck sections into place, some weighing over 36,000 tonnes combined. Specialized strand jacks — hydraulic lifting systems capable of raising huge loads with millimetre accuracy — were used to position the sections, a feat of precision engineering.

This project demonstrated how modern rigging technology and careful load management can combine strength and finesse to achieve breathtaking results.

Image Credit: Freyssinet

2. The Ekofisk Oil Platform – Raising the North Sea

One of the most remarkable offshore lifts in history took place in the North Sea in 1987, when the Ekofisk oil platform needed to be raised by six metres due to seabed subsidence.

The solution? Engineers used 108 hydraulic jacks, each capable of lifting 800 tonnes, to simultaneously elevate the entire 40,000-tonne platform. This complex synchronization of power and precision remains one of the largest and heaviest simultaneous lifts ever achieved.

The project not only saved a billion-dollar platform but also showcased how rigging systems and hydraulic lifting can literally elevate entire structures with pinpoint control.

Image Credit: Kjetil Alsvik | Copyright: Conoco Phillips

3. The USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) – A Shipyard Giant

Shipbuilding has always been a testing ground for heavy lifting innovation. The construction of the USS John F. Kennedy, a 1,052-foot aircraft carrier launched in 1968, marked a milestone in naval rigging and crane capability.

The ship’s massive hull sections were lifted into place using Goliath gantry cranes, towering structures capable of moving thousands of tonnes of steel at once. These cranes transformed shipbuilding by allowing modular construction — assembling large pre-fabricated sections rather than building ships piece by piece.

Today, this same lifting principle powers modern shipyards around the world, from Halifax to Tokyo.

Image Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Greg Curry (Wikipedia) 

 

4. The Big Lift – Halifax’s Angus L. Macdonald Bridge

Closer to home, Halifax’s iconic Angus L. Macdonald Bridge underwent one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Canadian history — The Big Lift.
This massive rehabilitation project, completed between 2015 and 2017, involved replacing the suspended spans of the bridge piece by piece — all while keeping daily traffic moving.

Each of the 46 deck segments weighed approximately 20 tonnes and had to be removed and replaced overnight using a combination of high-capacity cranes, custom-engineered rigging gear, and precise coordination. It was a logistical ballet that required skill, timing, and nerves of steel.

Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies was proud to play a small part in this historic project, supplying specialized rigging equipment and technical expertise that helped ensure every lift was executed safely and efficiently. For the team, it was more than just another job — it was a chance to contribute to a piece of Halifax’s legacy that connects communities every single day.

The Big Lift remains a shining example of modern engineering meeting maritime resilience — and a point of pride for everyone who calls Nova Scotia home.

Image Credit: American Bridge

 

5. The Burj Khalifa Spire – Lifting at the Edge of the Sky

When building the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure, engineers faced the challenge of lifting materials more than 800 metres into the air.

To achieve this, they used high-capacity tower cranes designed to withstand wind speeds over 200 km/h. Each lift had to account for factors like wind pressure, load weight, and sway, requiring meticulous rigging calculations.

The spire, weighing over 350 tonnes, was assembled and hoisted in sections at dizzying heights — proving that lifting technology could rise as high as human ambition.

Image Credit: Gulf News

 

6. NASA’s Saturn V Rocket – Lifting Humanity’s Dreams

Sometimes the greatest lifts don’t stay on Earth. The Saturn V, the rocket that launched Apollo 11 to the moon, remains one of the heaviest vehicles ever lifted.

Standing 110 metres tall and weighing 2,800 tonnes, the Saturn V was assembled vertically inside NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building — itself an architectural marvel designed to accommodate such immense loads.

Overhead cranes and massive hoists capable of handling sections weighing hundreds of tonnes were used to bring humanity’s moonshot to life.

The Saturn V represents the perfect blend of engineering precision, lifting power, and human vision — all principles that drive the rigging and lifting industry today.

Image Credit: NASA

7. The Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Bridge – China’s 42-Kilometre Marvel

Spanning more than 42 kilometres, the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge is the world’s longest over-water bridge. Lifting operations for its construction included positioning steel sections weighing over 10,000 tonnes with custom-built floating cranes.

To keep the project on schedule, teams worked in all weather conditions, supported by sophisticated load monitoring and safety systems to ensure that each lift was performed within exact tolerances.

The project stands as a testament to modern rigging innovation, integrating hydraulic control systems, dynamic load balancing, and crane precision on a massive scale.

Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Lifting Beyond Limits: The Legacy of Rigging Innovation

What ties these legendary lifts together isn’t just their scale — it’s the human expertise behind the machinery. Every great lift begins with careful planning, safety inspection, and the right rigging equipment.

At Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, we know that every lift — from hoisting a ship’s engine to raising a suspension bridge — depends on trusted gear and expert support.

We supply everything you need to lift with confidence:

• Wire rope, chain, and rigging hardware

• Slings and hoists for all capacities

• Fall protection and load testing services

• Custom rigging solutions tailored to your project

Whether your job site is onshore, offshore, or up in the air, Hercules delivers the strength, precision, and reliability you need to get it done safely.

 

Join the Next Chapter of Lifting History

The future of lifting is smarter, safer, and stronger — powered by innovation in automation, AI-assisted rigging, and real-time load monitoring. But no matter how advanced the technology becomes, the foundation remains the same: the knowledge, skill, and safety commitment of the people behind every lift.

At Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, we’re proud to support that legacy. Because whether it’s lifting a bridge, a rocket, or a single beam — every lift tells a story of strength and precision.

Partner with Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies for your next heavy lift. Explore our rigging products, crane services, and testing solutions — and see how our team can help you lift with confidence.