Cranes in Motion
Crazy Horse Memorial design, the top-slewing crane from Morrow can adjust to any specific requirement necessary for the Crazy Horse Memorial. The current crane at the mountain site has a more than 262-foot jib and offers a more than 213-foot hook height.
The tower crane is a game changer for not only moving the heavy robotic arm, but also large equipment such as excavators, dozers and drills, Juhren noted. Additionally, the crane opens the possibility of removing large blocks of granite without the need to break them apart. Granite is a sought-after building material providing the memorial many future building opportunities.
Family Affair
The Crazy Horse Memorial project began when Chief Henry Standing Bear wrote a letter to sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski asking him to carve a mountain in the likeness of Crazy Horse to honor his commitment to his people and his courageous leadership. Ziolkowski accepted, dedicating his life to see the Crazy Horse Memorial come to fruition. He, his wife Ruth, and their ten children worked and lived where the sculpting of Crazy Horse Mountain was taking place and the operations of the Visitor Center became a family affair.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is planned to reach an impressive 641 feet in length and 563 feet in height. The carving’ s outstretched left arm will span 263 feet long with an extended index finger measuring 29 feet 6 inches. The face of Crazy Horse, completed in 1998 under the direction of
Above: When completed, the Crazy Horse Memorial will reach an impressive 641 feet in length and 563 feet in height. The face of Crazy Horse, at 87 feet 6 inches tall, is more than 27 feet higher than the heads of the U. S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore.
Right: With the erection of a Liebherr tower crane, the Crazy Horse Memorial team is able to move large equipment such as excavators, dozers and drills. Additionally, the crane opens the possibility of removing large blocks of granite without the need to break them apart.
Ruth Ziolkowski, stands 87 feet 6 inches tall, more than 27 feet higher than the heads of the U. S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore.
In 2025, with the tower crane on site, the Liebherr, Morrow and Crazy Horse teams met again to discuss planning and operations at the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Presently, the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation Board of Directors, Crazy Horse Memorial management and staff, as well as second and third generation Ziolkowski family members continue the mission to complete the world’ s largest mountain carving. The Crazy Horse Memorial including the mountain carving in progress is funded solely by admissions and private donations.
“ We are fully aware that it is the mountain that first engages the public,” Della
Burns, CHMF board director said.“ Visitors bring their curiosity, are awed by what they experience and they leave inspired. The crane will move our timeline forward at a more rapid pace and we are so grateful to Liebherr and Morrow for joining us in this vision.”
“ As Korczak’ s grandson, it’ s hard to put into words the humbling nature of involvement in this undertaking,” said Caleb Ziolkowski.“ It started long before my birth and will be visited for thousands of years after I’ m gone. Billions of people will see the art we create. That brings some pressure as well as motivation. As always, progress takes effort, perseverance and time, but the nobility of the mission and awe-inspiring nature of the carving are more than worth it.”
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October 2025 • www. cranehotline. com