The 96-tonne crane exploded into a fireball just before 21:30 BST on Wednesday between J2 for Beaconsfield and J1a for the M25.
A number of cars were trapped for several hours. The road partially re-opened on Thursday morning.
Highways England said one lane would remain closed for safety reasons.
Updates on this and other stories from Buckinghamshire
It said the "intense fire" happened after a "significant spillage of hydraulic fluid", causing "serious damage to the road surface", which is due to be resurfaced on Thursday night.
A specialist lifting team removed the crane from lane one and the hard shoulder earlier.
Drivers near Beaconsfield are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Cars were trapped on the southbound M40 in Buckinghamshire overnight after a crane burst into flames, closing the motorway,