Two WOLFF cranes are building a new religious landmark in Riyadh

• Two WOLFF cranes are employed to construct the Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Mosque in central Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

• The cranes used are the WOLFF 6015.8 Clear and WOLFF 7532.12 Cross, chosen for their reach and lifting capacities to handle large prefabricated elements.

• The project faces challenges including limited space near a busy road and metro station, harsh climate conditions, and requires precise planning and timing for safe crane operations.

• Advanced safety and monitoring systems like anti-collision technology and WOLFF Link ensure operational safety and efficiency.

• The mosque combines traditional Islamic architectural elements with modern design and will accommodate around 2,300 worshipers, with construction expected to complete by late 2026.

The Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Mosque is a new, modern center for religion and the community that is being built at the bustling King Abdullah Road at the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. Two WOLFF cranes help to construct the building. The construction site’s position particularly requires an enormous amount of planning.

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For the project, contractor Rowad al Riyadh rented a WOLFF 6015.8 Clear with a hook height of 51 meters, a jib radius of 60 meters, a lifting capacity of 8,0 tons, as well as a WOLFF 7532.12 Cross with a hook height of 41.6 meters with a 70-meter jib radius, and a lifting capacity of 12,0 tons. Both cranes have been assisting with the task since March 2025.

Planning and precision with space constraints

The large, prefabricated facade elements and the complex roof design require exceptionally precise positioning. At the same time, the jibs must be designed with maximum reach in order to cover all areas of the roughly 10,000 -square meter construction site.

Its position directly by the bustling Abdullah Road and next to a metro station brings about space constraints and requires comprehensive coordination. Even the climate presents significant challenges: heat, dust and afternoon storms require a well-conceived, strictly timed deployment planning. “As a result, many of the lifting operations are performed in the early morning or late afternoon hours for safety reasons, if the weather conditions are stable and traffic and pedestrian flows are low”, explains Tariq Al-Sawaie, Managing Director Wolffkran Ltd, Saudi Arabia.

 
The cranes are equipped with both an anti-collision system and WOLFF Link. The first of these systems prevents collisions by automatically slowing down and stopping cranes that come too close to obstacles or other cranes. The second allows live activity monitoring and real-time alerts in case of critical operating conditions.

As early as in the planning phase, the Wolffkran team conducted reach studies, defined safety zones, and adjusted jib and hook positions to enable maximum construction site coverage while minimally impacting public areas. Apart from the reliable and all-weather WOLFF cranes, the contractor particularly values this preliminary work, which delivers a smooth construction process from now up to 4th quarter 2026.

Tradition in a new light

The Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi mosque is being built on an area of roughly 5,300 square meters and provides room for about 2,300 worshipers. It is elegantly integrated into the public infrastructure thanks to its central position. Architecturally speaking, it is reminiscent of traditional, Islamic desert tents but interpreted in a modern light with eye-catching roof shells, glass portals, and shady forecourts. This project expands Wolffkran’s presence in Saudi Arabia, where they are executing a mosque project together with the Rowad al Riyadh company for the first time.