THE FIRST STEP IN PLANNING a lift is to determine the weight of the load. A true understanding of load limits is critical to safe construction crane operations. Crane load limits ensure the equipment, cargo and ground crew are protected, and are why the load weight should be calculated early in the job planning process.
Ultimately, it dictates every other phase of the lift project.
“Planning an overhead lift all starts with understanding the weight of the load you plan on lifting and moving,” said Mike Close of Mazzella Companies. “Everything else should fall into place if you follow lifting and rigging best practices and put a lift plan together prior to any load being raised into the air.”
Writing about load weight best practices for Mazzella, Close teaches a variety of sim-
ple methods to determine the weight of the load.
“You can easily identify the weight of a load without doing any type of calculations or using specially engineered load cells or dynamometers,” he said.
First, and most obvious: Look at the load to see if the weight is marked.
The load may be marked clearly by the manufacturer after previous calculation.
continued on page 10
Adobe Stock photo
On major lifts especially, a lift planner can sometimes review engineered prints or design plans specific to the load in order to determine load limits. A bill of lading, if the load is transported to the job site, should be included in shipping paperwork.
Alta Equipment Company
www.altaequipment.com
Byron Center, MI (616) 878-7450
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General Equipment & Supplies
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Kelly Tractor Co.
Crane & Foundation Equipment
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Liebherr Luffing Jib Cranes Enter Last Point of Project
Liebherr 710 HC-L and 125 HC-L luffing jib cranes are in action in the final phase of the Sagrada Família construction project.
Contributing to a project as iconic as the Basilica of the Sagrada Família, which has been under construction for over 140 years, is a rare experience.
The Liebherr 710 HC-L and 125 HC-L luffing jib cranes have been selected to bring this project to completion, with the primary task being the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the temple’s main tower set to reach 564 ft. in height. Their collapsibility and adaptability to site requirements were decisive factors in the Sagrada Família’s decision to select this equipment.
“The Temple of the Sagrada Família will represent the future of modern Catalonia,” this is how the architect Antonio Gaudí described his masterpiece, which began construction in 1882 in Barcelona. 2024 will be a significant year for this architectural feat, as the Liebherr 710 HC-L 32-64 Litronic and 125 HC-L luffing jib cranes will begin their work on completing the basilica.
“The construction department of the Sagrada Família chose these cranes for two main reasons: firstly, their folding design minimizes the impact on surrounding buildings, and secondly, their adaptability to the area’s specific requirements,” said Fernando Villa, director of construction and technology at the Sagrada Família.
“Liebherr is a global leader in the tower crane sector, and we are experts in special projects. Our engineering department, known as Tower Crane Solutions, comprises qualified professionals with many years of experience who plan the maneuvers according to the specific needs of each project,” added Roberto Insausti, commercial director of the tower crane and mobile construction crane division at Liebherr Ibérica.
Thus, the Liebherr 710 HC-L 32-64 Litronic luffing jib crane of the Sagrada Família will be responsible for completing the Tower of Jesus Christ, the temple’s main tower. The Sagrada Família required a crane with a high lifting capacity; this equipment has a maximum lifting capacity of 70.5 tons and sufficient radius, in this case 180 ft., to cover the highest parts of the construction. The Liebherr 125 HC-L crane, meanwhile, will be working on the Chapel of the Assumption and the adjacent cloisters.
Main Project Challenges
A major challenge for this project was “to develop a solution for our largest luffing jib crane, the Liebherr 710 HC-L 32-64 Litronic, which could be erected at a height of approximately [177 ft.] and comply with
The use of luffing jib cranes has many advantages because they are equipped with large load curves and can work in very tight spaces, due to the jib’s folding movement.
factured specifically for this phase.
“The Temple of the Sagrada Família will represent the future of modern Catalonia.”
Antonio Gaudí
the highest safety requirements. The crane then had to be brought to its final height and anchored to the Tower of Jesus Christ at a height of approximately [426.5 ft.],” said Jochen Wille, project manager at Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions (TCS).
A special bracing structure, measuring 65.6 ft. long, 32.8 ft. wide and weighing 29.7 tons, had to be designed and manu-
“Thanks to the close cooperation between the customer, our local supplier Grúas Cerezo and the Tower Crane Solutions department at the Liebherr factory in Germany, we managed to develop a tailor-made project for the customer,” said Tobias Böhler, general manager of Liebherr Ibérica.
The assembly of the Liebherr 710 HC-L and 125 HC-L luffing jib cranes required extensive planning due to the stringent safety requirements and weather conditions. The erection, especially the telescoping, could only proceed under specific wind speeds. Moreover, the Sagrada Família’s location in the heart of Barcelona limits the availability of spacious work areas for maneuvers, necessitating meticulous planning and detailed operations.
continued on page 22
Official delivery of the Liebherr 710 HC-L luffing jib crane. (L-R) are Fernando Villa, Sagrada Familia; Antonio Cerezo, Grúas Cerezo; Tobias Böhler, Liebherr Ibérica; Daniel Morales, Sagrada Familia; Miguel Cerezo, Grúas Cerezo; and Roberto Insausti, Liebherr Ibérica.
“Look for any visual indications of load weight prior to selecting the appropriate lifting and rigging equipment,” said Close. “If it’s a load that you regularly lift and move through your facility … then you will already know the weight of the load.”
If a crane was designed for a specific repetitive lifting application the weight of the load may have been accounted for when the crane was built.
Close said the lift planning team can refer to engineered prints or design plans specific to the load, which can indicate the final assembled weight. The planner can review a bill of lading or shipping documentation.
For a transported load, weight information should be included in shipping paperwork.
“For smaller and lighter loads, you may be able to use an industrial floor scale,” said Close.
These types of scales are commonly found in production areas or the shipping and receiving department of an indoor facility. The planning team should have access to the manufacturer’s specifications or catalog data for the load.
and indicates what a machine is rated for as well as its maximum capacity.
“Load charts also contain other information that needs to be taken into account when determining your crane’s lifting capacity,” said Eusebio. “For example, the chart should state if capacity is calculated over the rear or front of the machine or at a 360-degree rotation.”
crane model has a load chart unique to it. The charts typically list both the crane’s gross and net capacity and indicates what a machine is rated for as well as its maximum capacity.
The load weight may be indicated on paperwork provided by the manufacturer, on its website, or among product specs in a catalog or brochure.
Reading a Construction Crane’s Load Chart
“The best way to find the load capacity of a crane is to consult its load chart,” said Dustin Eusebio of BigRentz. “Crane load charts explain a crane’s load capacity at different boom lengths and lift angles.”
Load charts also indicate how the load capacity decreases as the boom length increases.
“You typically find load moment indicators (LMI) or rated capacity indicators (RCI) on modern cranes,” said Eusebio. “These devices enhance crane safety by warning you when your load exceeds the lifting capacity suggested by the crane manufacturer.”
But even if you have these features, it’s essential to understand the load chart, he stressed.
Each crane model has a unique load chart, Eusebio added, and a crane may have one or multiple load charts based on its configurations. Typically provided by the crane manufacturer, load charts are included in the operator manual, which is usually found in the cab of the machine.
“Using this chart helps you create a lift plan that is safe from start to finish,” Eusebio said.
First, calculate the load radius. Most load charts will have a lift range diagram showing it. Load radius is the horizontal distance between the centerline of the crane’s rotation to the load.
“The shorter the load radius, the higher the load capacity of the crane,” said Eusebio.
Find the length of the boom being used and the angle it will be positioned at on the diagram. Then, find the corresponding radius at the bottom of the chart. Once load radius is determined, look across the chart to see the lifting capacity.
Load charts typically list both the crane’s gross and net capacity
It should also show whether the machine is stabilized by tires or has its outriggers or stabilizers down.
“Factors like these all affect a crane’s net capacity, or the actual load it can lift,” said Eusebio.
Also, “the lifting capacity at the rear or front of a crane is higher due to the machine’s structure and weight distribution.”
He stressed that if you’re calculating the capacity from this position, you must make sure the boom stays here during operation or it could overload.
Ground conditions, such as the slope of the ground on which the crane will be positioned, are part of the load chart. Both ground conditions and wind speed can alter the crane’s stability. Load capacity can be directed affected by crane stability.
“Also, don’t forget to check the chart for the correct crane configuration, including any attachments or accessories in use,” he added.
Following Rigging Best Practices
Mazzella advised that in determining load weight planners account for any other items being used below the hook such as chain, wire rope and synthetic slings.
Shackles, hooks, eye bolts, master links and any other rigging hardware, as well as lifting beams, magnets, c-hooks, vacuum lifters are used below the hook.
The planner must determine the style sling to be used and the hitch type — vertical, basket or choker. Then they must calculate the sling angle.
Choose the correct hardware and slings for the lift based on the rating and working load limit (WLL) and inspect all rigging equipment prior to the lift.
“Any item that looks damaged, deformed or irregular in appearance should be removed from a service,” said Close. “A qualified person can determine if the gear can be put back into service or should be removed from service and disposed of.”
Close suggests checking proper rigging connection and technique by lifting the load a few inches off the ground to ensure no swing develops.
This minor lift also determines whether the center of gravity has been accounted for in the planning process.
He said other environmental factors can add resistance that affects the weight of the load and must be accounted for. These factors can include friction or resistance caused by a load being lifted off of a muddy surface. A load that’s being dipped in and out of chemicals or other liquids; a load being lifted off of a sloped surface;
Adobe Stock photo
Each
or a heavy wind gust can affect load weight.
“Never lift a load off the ground any higher than you need to,” said Close. “Identify possible obstructions and use a tagline when necessary to provide additional load control.”
DIY Load Weight Calculating
If no load weight information has been provided to the project planners, then they’ll need to calculate the weight based on the material being lifted.
There are devices on the market that provide a read-out of the load weight when it’s slightly lifted off the ground, said Close.
Load cells or dynamometers are mounted in line with the crane hook, slings and hardware.
“The load is then attached to the load cell and the load cell calculates the weight of the load.”
This is accomplished by measuring the force being applied to the load using a strain gauge or hydraulic or pneumatic pressure inside the device.
“These devices can display the measured weight of the load in a variety of ways,” Close said. “Some are mechanical with an analog display that utilizes a needle and dial — similar to how many bathroom or medical scales operate.”
Some displays are digital. Handheld digital devices or computer software can send the read-out to an operator performing remote monitoring and diagnostics of the crane equipment.
“Another type of load cell device is a load shackle … a fully rated lifting shackle with integrated electronics and microproces-
sors,” said Close. These devices determine the weight of a load once it’s lifted into the air. These systems also can send data to a handheld device or remote workstation.
Overload sensors built into these systems can alert the operator, safety managers, or other personnel if the crane has been overloaded. Overloads, which occur when a lift exceeds the crane’s rated capacity, are prohibited according to OSHA and ASME B30 standards.
These conditions “can stress and damage the crane equipment — putting nearby employees in danger if the crane were to fail,” said Close.
Following manufacturer’s recommendations for load cell or dynamometer maintenance and calibration ensures compliance and accurate measurement.
Lifting Safely Is the Goal
Construction crane load limits are in place for a reason. They indicate the maximum weight a crane can safely lift, move or support.
Risks for safety hazards, crane tip-overs, deadly load drops and structural failures occur when an operator exceeds a crane’s load limits.
Constant situational awareness and strict adherence to load weight are keys to a safe and successful lift. CQ
Adobe Stock photo Determining the weight of the load a crane will be picking is the first and most critical step in the lift planning process.
The operator can easily determine load limits without a load chart first by looking for visual indications of load weight.
Adobe Stock photo
KEEPING
Family Family in the
CC&S Reaches New Heights With Third Generation
By Katherine Petrik CEG EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
As one of the oldest Manitowoc dealers in the United States, As one of the oldest Manitowoc dealers in the United States, Cleveland Crane & Shovel Sales Inc. (CC&S) has a history of customer service and support. This has been the key to the company’s more than 50 years of selling, renting and servicing cranes and led to CC&S being designated an Elite Manitowoc dealer in 2004.
After years of operating a crane in the 1950s, Richard Leppla became a salesperson at the Manitowoc factory store in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1963. He purchased the store in 1978 and founded Crane and Shovel Corp. In 2004, Bill Aurelius, president of CC&S, purchased the dealership and renamed it Cleveland Crane & Shovel Sales Inc.
The company began by buying, selling and servicing equipment. As the business grew, so did its offerings, including 24hour parts and service support seven days a week, as well as the addition of the Grove Crane line in 2008. CC&S also is a large stocking dealer of hookblocks and balls from multiple manufactures including DeHann, McKissick, Rope Block and more.
With the changing market — including the crane industry — consolidations meant CC&S had to diversify and build its rental fleet to generate a new source of revenue. This helped CC&S’s customers by offering quality used cranes as well as offering options such as RPO’s on new units.
Long-Time Employees
In 2009, Adam Aurelius joined his father as an entry-level service technician, becoming the third generation to work at CC&S. He attended 22 schools and became a master technician of Manitowoc. Aurelius is now vice president of operations and crane sales.
“The goal has always been to learn as much as possible about the equipment,” said Adam.
In 2019, Adam moved inside as the serv-
ice manager, which helped him learn the office side of the service business, then in 2021, he transitioned to operation manager and sales.
Other long-time employees include Mike Wood (Woody). Woody started with the company in 1978 and is a Manitowoc parts guru. Eric Scott started his career at CC&S in 2004 and is a master tech, traveled the world erecting and servicing cranes.
All employees pride themselves on customer service.
“Our motto is ‘Anywhere, anytime. Forget the rest, call the best — Cleveland Crane & Shovel Sales’,” said Bill.
Customer Service
The CC&S facility is 18,000 sq. ft. with six service bays, nine service technicians and seven service trucks, as well as other sup-
port equipment. There also are two satellite yards and additional buildings across more than 12 acres.
In addition to its 24/7 service, technicians provide onsite training for customers on their new equipment purchases. The service department also offers crane A/D, advanced troubleshooting, PM services, wire rope spooling, annual inspections and more. Also, the company’s rental fleet is equipped with GPS systems so that the machines can be maintained to factory specifications per hourly service intervals.
CC&S also has a huge parts inventory and carries a large inventory of Manitowoc attachments, including boom inserts and an assortment of jibs. An average of 90 percent of orders are in stock at the time a customer orders. The company also stocks many hard-to-find parts.
CEG photo
Adam Aurelius (L), vice president of operations and crane sales, and Bill Aurelius, president of Cleveland Crane & Shovel Sales.
Nearly 94 percent of all orders are processed and delivered within 24 hours.
“Our employees are our most valuable resource, and we invest heavily in ensuring that they receive all the latest training and have all the tools they need to service customers,” said Adam. “Our service and parts employees are trained at the factory, on site and have hands-on experience dealing with customers.”
Projects
CC&S Equipment has partnered with customers to assist with the construction of a variety of prominent projects, including multiple windfarms across the United States; refineries across the United States — including Sasol refinery in Lake Charles, La.; multiple USACE dam proj-
ects, including the Blue Stone Dam project in Hinton, W.Va.; water treatment plants; bridge projects — including the Gordie Howe bridge; different port locations for offloading/loading out goods; and many more.
“Always putting the customer first has worked for many years and we are continuing to keep that goal moving forward. I am excited to be a part of the third generation and to see continued growth of Cleveland Crane & Shovel,” said Adam.
“The key to more than 50 years in business is keeping the customer happy,” said Bill. “We strive to work with customers and their satisfaction is always a priority.”
For more information, visit craneandshovel.net. CQ
Cleveland Crane & Shovel provides onsite support to keep jobs running smoothly.
CEG photo
Bill Aurelius (L), president of Cleveland Crane & Shovel Sales, and Adam Aurelius, vice president of operations and crane sales, with a Grove TMS 9000-2 truck-mounted crane.
Cleveland Crane & Shovel photo
A Manitowoc crane is used to offload goods at the Port of Cleveland.
Cleveland Crane & Shovel’s equipment can be found on multiple USACE dam projects, including the Blue Stone Dam project in Hinton, W.Va.
Cleveland Crane & Shovel photo
Cleveland Crane & Shovel photo
Versalift Midwest LLC midwest.versalift.com
51761 Danview Technology Court
Shelby Twp., MI 48315 586-991-0054
L & M Truck Sales, Inc. www.lmtrucks.com
4001 E. Boone Ave. Spokane, WA 99202 509-535-4175
Stephenson Equipment www.stephensonequipment.com
Harrisburg, PA 800-325-6455
Philadelphia, PA 800-220-4033
Pittsburgh, PA 800-692-7600
Wilkes-Barre, PA 866-667-6756
Albany, NY 518-357-2200
Syracuse, NY 800-368-6455
Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. www.nixonegli.com
2044 South Vineyard Avenue Ontario, CA 91761 909-930-1822
800 East Grantline Road Tracy, CA 95304
209-830-8600
JDC
teamjdc.com
777 Doheny Drive Northville, MI 48167
800-336-4369
Antioch, CA 925-434-0320
Bay Shore, NY 631-416-5070
Cincinnati, OH 513-250-3080
Corona, CA 951-281-2550
Gonzales, LA 225-647-3010
Joliet, IL 815-727-1000
Greenville, SC 864-315-2900
La Porte, TX 281-842-8700
Orlando, FL 407-654-3840
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Whitestown, IN 317-768-2600
Aspen Equipment aspenequipment.com
Minneapolis 9150 Pillsbury Ave. S Bloomington, MN 55420 952-888-2525
Quad Cities 1733 South Stark St. Davenport, IA 52802 563-949-4045
Omaha 11475 S 153rd St. Omaha, NE 68138 402-894-9300
Des Moines 1525 SE Cortina Dr. Ankeny, IA 50021 515-965-1000
Kansas City 1150 SE Hamblen Rd. Ste 2 Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 816-451-1745
PERFECT
FIT FIT
Northbank Civil and Marine Put Tadano GTC-1600 to Work
The growing partnership of Northbank Civil and Marine, Lennon Crane and Tadano should help each brand flourish in the Pacific Northwest.
Northbank Civil and Marine, a heavy civil, marine and industrial constructor located in Vancouver, Wash., recently needed a powerful and versatile crane for multiple dam projects.
“Northbank has worked with Lennon Crane since our inception in 2014 and they have always been our ‘go to’ for bare rent cranes. Following the purchase of our first Tadano GTC in 2020 we have had the opportunity to work with Jamie Land and the Tadano America Group directly.
“Both companies have always exceeded our expectations when it comes to their abilities and customer service.”
Kainan Bodenlos
Lennon Crane — the Tadano distributor in Washington and Oregon — had the perfect fit with a GTC-1600 teleboom crawler. This 160-ton crane features a 200.1-ft boom, a Cummins engine and the ability to operate in confined spaces with tracks at multiple widths.
Northbank’s new Tadano telecrawler will first be placed on a barge to perform work at the Willamette Falls Dam in Oregon City, Ore. When that job is complete, it will be mobilized to Kachess Lake and Bull Run Reservoir for dam remediation work.
Kainan Bodenlos, a principal owner of Northbank Civil and Marine, describes the Lennon Crane-Tadano customer experience,
“Both companies have always exceeded our expectations when it comes to their abilities and customer service. We couldn’t have been happier to work with Lennon Crane in conjunction with the Tadano America Group to purchase our new GTC-1600.”
Featuring the longest boom in its class, the 160-ton GTC-1600 is known for its streamlined and smarter setup features and load charts leveraging maximum available lifting capacity for all working conditions. Leading the way in telescopic boom crawler cranes, this Tadano machine boasts self-erecting counterweights, single-stage high-lift carbody jacks with remote control, and tool-free track frame removal and handling, delivering greater operating efficiency and cost savings, according to the company.
Northbank Civil and Marine, a heavy civil, marine, and industrial constructor located in Vancouver, Wash., recently needed a powerful and versatile crane for multiple dam projects.
Scott Lennon, vice president of Lennon Crane, shared Bodenlos’ excitement on the GTC-1600, “A big thanks to the Northbank Civil and Marine team for their recent purchase of a new Tadano GTC1600 telescopic crawler crane. The Northbank team are masters of their craft, good friends and even better people.
“The addition of the highly versatile Tadano GTC-1600, with reliable Cummins power, expands Northbank’s capabilities both water side and land side on the U.S. West Coast.”
The growing partnership of Northbank Civil and Marine, Lennon Crane and Tadano should help each brand flourish in the Pacific Northwest. The versatile GTC-1600 teleboom crawler crane will serve Northbank’s needs well on their core applications in and around the water.
For more information about Tadano, visit www.tadanoamericas.com.
About Northbank
Northbank Civil and Marine was formed in early 2014 with a primary focus on marine, heavy civil and industrial construction projects. It has assembled an experienced, professional and talented team of individuals that is capable of performing technically challenging projects. Its management personnel has an extensive background in bid/build, CM/GC and design/build projects.
Northbank Civil and Marine has wide-ranging experience with hydro power infrastructure, oil water separators, dam navigational lock rehabilitation, cranes and hoists and bridges. It also has become a leader in the Northwest in the construction of fish passage projects, marine facilities and in-water work, and Marine pipelines and outfalls.
For more information, visit https://www.northbankcm.com/
About Lennon Crane
Lennon Crane is the Tadano distributor of Washington and Oregon, supporting all lines of the brand. Lennon Crane also is a Full-Service Bare Rental and Direct B2B Bare Rental of rough terrain and telescopic crawler cranes between 35-160 tons in the western United States and Canada.
For more information, visit https://www.lennoncrane.com/
(All photos courtesy of Tadano.)
Turkish crane rental company ÖZ TUNCEL and its Grove GMK6300L-1 all-terrain crane were called in for a rescue operation at Istanbul Airport.
A FedEx Express Boeing 767 cargo plane touched down at the airport without its front landing gear, bumping its nose on the runway and sending sparks flying in a dramatic incident that attracted worldwide attention. Thankfully, with guidance from the control tower and great skill from the pilots, no one was injured and the crew all safely evacuated.
To support the rescue of the downed aircraft, the GMK6300L-1 was on site for eight hours, carefully lifting the nose of the airplane, while needing to ensure strict control of the load so no other parts of the plane were damaged or moved during removal.
“We needed a crane that we could rely on, and Grove’s GMK6300L-1 was the perfect choice. The strength and control of the crane were exceptional, allowing us to execute this difficult operation with no problems. The salvage was a success, and normal services were swiftly resumed at the airport, thanks, in part, to the reliability and precision of the GMK6300L-1.
COMES TO THE RESCUE COMES TO THE RESCUE
We couldn’t be more satisfied with the performance of the crane on this project,” said Ali Doğan Tuncel, owner of ÖZ TUNCEL.
The Grove GMK6300L-1 offers exceptional strength and can lift 15 tons at the full length of its 262 ft. MEGAFORM main boom. Its six-axle design ensures stability and performance even in the toughest conditions, while the advanced Crane Control System (CCS) enables precision lifting, according to the manufacturer.
ÖZ TUNCEL was formed in 2000 and offers crane rental, heavy transport and construction services across Turkey.
A Grove GMK6300L-1 was rapidly deployed to assist with an aircraft salvage operation after a plane landed without its front landing gear at Istanbul Airport.
Grove photo
Lennon Crane provided a Tadano GTC-1600 teleboom crawler. This 160-ton crane features a 200.1-ft boom, a Cummins engine and the ability to operate in confined spaces with tracks at multiple widths.
LONG
TCC-2500 Lifts Root Panels for Large Distribution Facility
Smith Erectors of Markle, Ind., is utilizing the reach and versatility of two Link-Belt telescopic cranes — the TCC-2500 and the ATC-3275 — for construction of a new 700,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing and distribution facility. The facility is for Diamond Pet Foods and represents a $259 million investment in a facility in Rushville, Ind.
Construction is set for completion by the end of 2024.
REACH
“We have the TCC-2500 and ATC3275 on-site to set all the internal steel structure for this building. Then we are lifting insulated metal panels for the walls and insulated metal panels for the roof primarily with the TCC2500,” said Jason Moore, crane operator at Smith Erectors.
Added Reach
To accomplish roof panel placement of the entire 700,000-sq.-ft. project, Smith Erectors has fitted the TCC-2500 with one or both lattice fly extensions (depending on the radius requirement) when erecting the fly to give the TCC-2500 the greatest reach possible.
or both lattice fly extensions (depending on the radius requirement) when erecting the fly to give the TCC-2500 the greatest reach possible.
Smith Erectors is utilizing the long reach of the TCC-2500 for placement of roof panels of the 600-by-1,200-ft. distribution center. To accomplish roof panel placement of the entire 700,000-sq.-ft. project, Smith Erectors has fitted the TCC-2500 with one
By inserting one or both 25-ft. lattice fly extensions, the TCC-2500 is able to place panels up to a 260-ft. radius by traveling up and down the 600-ft. length of the building.
“This TCC-2500 really is a beast. When you add in all of the lattice extensions with the fly, it can work at a really great radius,”
Moore said.
Smith Erectors has broken the roof schedule into three sections, giving the TCC-2500 three locations to work from: both 600-ft. lengths of the building and the middle of the building.
“We left a hole in the middle of the building for the TCC-2500 to travel inside on the finished concrete and place panels roughly 160 feet in either direction. We’re obviously obstructed with our boom angle, but that lets us do the whole building with the TCC-2500,” Moore said.
The ATC-3275 placed most of the initial steel structure of the facility. Each bay, roughly 60 ft. wide, is lifted into place and weighs approximately 60,000 lbs.
“These are both just handy cranes for this kind of work. The computers both set up easily — You can set your limits easily — especially when working with roof obstructions,” Moore said.
For more information, visit linkbelt.com.
(All photos courtesy of Link-Belt.)
The TCC-2500 works from the north side of the new facility.
Looking Back: Historical Cranes
Courtesy of Historical Construction Equipment Association
Working to preserve the history of the construction equipment that shaped our world . . .
The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving for public education the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries.
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Kelly & Underwood of Grandby, Mo., is using this Keystone Driller Company Model 18 with 40 ft. boom to clam aggregates from railroad cars to storage piles and batch bins at Centertown, Mo. Typical production was 29 cars in 24 hours.
Keystone Driller Company image, Donald W. Frantz Papers, HCEA Archives photo
Brown Hoisting Machinery Company catalog, 1919, Donald W. Frantz Papers, HCEA Archives photo
This is
Brownhoist Portal-Pier Locomotive Crane, with a 54 cu. ft. clam bucket. Normally mounted directly on the rails, the crane propels the gantry. It handled coal at the Municipal Electric Light Plant in Cleveland, Ohio, in the late 1910s.
Action at an unidentified quarry as an International tractor with Drott loader works the bank, a Hough payloader works a stockpile, and a P & H truck crane makes little ones out of big ones with a drop ball.
This Austin 6-T one-yard air-controlled shovel was convertible to a crane. It was built by the Toledo Bridge & Crane Company of Toledo, Ohio, probably on license from Austin.
Harry E. Young II Papers, HCEA Archives photo
Edgar Browning Collection, HCEA Archives photo
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continued from page 9
Furthermore, the installation process faced a constant influx of tourists to this globally renowned site.
As a result, the assembly of the Liebherr luffing jib cranes had to be completed swiftly, with minimal disruption to the cathedral’s construction work and the daily flow of visitors.
The use of luffing jib cranes will be another major challenge and “something unprecedented in Spain, which represents a significant commitment for us, as we début in this project where there is no room for error or doubt,” said Miguel Cerezo, manager of Grúas Cerezo, the official distributor of Liebherr tower cranes.
Willift Lifting Engineering used the GMK5250XL-1 to dismantle an old lime plant, a job that would require the machine to hold heavy metal parts up high while they were being cut off.
“The use of luffing jib cranes has many advantages because they are equipped with large load curves and can work in very tight spaces, thanks to the jib’s folding movement,” said Gerardo Urendez, head of technical service for tower cranes and mobile construction cranes at Liebherr Ibérica.
Trusted Partners Liebherr’s tower crane division includes the Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions department, which has actively supported the Sagrada Família project from the beginning.
“We specialise in planning large and demanding projects worldwide. We’re the go-to experts for complex solutions and challenging applications, just like in this case,” said Jochen Wille.
In this project, Grúas Cerezo played a key role and will continue to do so as the third link in the chain: Liebherr 125 HC-L and 710 HC-L luffing jib cranes are the key pieces of the project, Liebherr as the equipment manufacturer responsible for crane after-sales service and Grúas Cerezo providing support as a local distributor, offering technical-legal advice, equipment assembly, as well as predictive and corrective maintenance.
For more information, visit www.liebherr.com.
(All photos courtesy of Liebherr.)
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