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MH Dawood
main erection crane. Hydraulic all-terrain cranes are also a choice for maintenance work on some of the smaller turbines or for blade and hub replacements.
Aside from equipment, which other services does Sarens SIBA offer to clients? Rigging is a requirement which goes hand in hand with supplying cranes. We can also provide a safety officer, supervisor, office containers, and more.
Why do clients choose Sarens SIBA over other suppliers? Clients choose Sarens for our experience and quality service, both locally and internationally. We offer in-house engineering and shared knowledge to formulate the most timely and cost-effective solutions while never compromising on safety. Sarens SIBA also has access to a plethora of heavy lift and heavy transport equipment, from strategically-located local depots to those across the globe. This is a major advantage over our competitors, who frequently need to subcontract equipment and staff to meet customer demands.
Our technical expertise ensures that the correct cranes are correctly placed for optimum performance, and to save our clients unnecessary costs. We also offer in-house support for sales, operations, engineering, and more. Finally, we are a BBBEE Level 1 compliant company which is 51% black owned and 30% black woman owned.
How does Sarens SIBA ensure safety on its projects? Safety is a core part of our day-to-day business. Sometimes our clients will supply their own safety officers, but we always have site supervisors and trained personnel who abide by and uphold our international safety standards.
How has maintenance and shutdown evolved over the years, and what are the recent trends and opportunities? Maintenance work in the petrochemical industry has been one of Sarens SIBA’s core functions. While new builds of petrochemical plants have stagnated, plants have been made more accessible for smaller mobile cranes by placing ducting and piping more strategically. Meanwhile, renewable projects are now the majority of new builds in the country, with maintenance work increasing as the lifetime of wind farms increases. Today maintenance and shutdown opportunities can be found across petrochemical, mining, renewable energy, and nuclear energy markets.
Sarens SIBA (Pty) Ltd, +27 (0) 11 749 3300, +27 (0) 11 749 3399, www.sarens.com
Mammoet completes acquisition of ALE
Merger creates the industry’s largest global provider of engineered heavy lifting and transport services.
Mammoet is happy to confirm that as of January 8, 2020, the acquisition of ALE has been completed, and the businesses will now operate as one company under the Mammoet brand.
Integration
Over the coming months, a fully developed integration plan will be rolled out that will focus on bringing the two organizations together while maintaining safe and world-class service levels to our customers.
The global coverage of the combined business is unparalleled: over 140 offices and branches worldwide ensure proximity to the world’s most important industrial and urban areas and thus the company’s customer base.
Paul van Gelder, the Mammoet CEO, commented: “We are looking forward to working together with our new colleagues all over the world and establishing long term relationships with our customers, existing and new. We will put all our efforts into supporting them with their activities aimed at enhancing cities, businesses and communities that are all part of the transition to a more sustainable future. As their goals increase in size and complexity, we must reshape ourselves to support them while keeping our primary focus on safety.
For that, we want to understand our clients’ business and challenges better than anyone else. Regardless of their size, industry or location. We will keep improving our services and support them to build smarter, safer and stronger across the world. We feel a fundamental connection to these words. They express our desire to challenge conventional thinking, minimize risk and lead innovation in the industry. Which is why we have chosen to take them on board in our new brand proposition.”
Mammoet’s combined team of dedicated professionals as well as its fleet of heavy equipment are now the world’s largest. This significantly enhances scalability, innovation capabilities and efficient mobilization, like no one else in the industry. This enhances its ability to deliver in the safest, most efficient and cost-effective way possible, from single-day local jobs to multiyear megaprojects.
20 Lifting Africa - Jan/Feb 2020 global heavy lifting and transport business with a large R&D facility run independently from its operational activities, allowing it to innovate for the long term in close collaboration with customers. Innovations to date such as the PTC and SK crane ranges and the Mega Jack have led the industry – shortening countless project schedules in the process and redefining industry practices.
Mammoet, +27 (0) 11 882 4499, sales.southernafrica@mammoet. com, www.mammoet.com
Philiswe Ncube, a senior technician at Liebherr Cranes, shared why at the annual LEEASA/Lifting Africa conference.
“Any modification to a crane and/ or lifting equipment must be subject to the OEMs approval and to a rigorous change management process,” says Ncube.
It is not as simple as many might think to just convert a contactor crane to a converter drive. Without the approval of an OEM, no modifications should take place.
“In the early development of cranes they were all controlled by contactors, but with the development of technology it moved to frequency converter-drive cranes. This introduced a problem for many crane owners who were caught in the middle,” explains Ncube. “They either still liked the contactor cranes or they could not afford the other cranes. This brought us to the problem where people were trying to put the two together.”
“Our answer at Liebherr on any such request is no. Do not convert a contactor-controlled crane to a frequency converter-drive unit,” he says. “As the OEM we do not do this conversion and we advise against any crane owner doing this in their own capacity, because of the safety impacts of these conversions.” Such a modification immediately impacts on the minimum manufacturer safety specifications as defined by the OEM and legislative requirements and standards for the equipment will no longer be applicable.
“Modifying cranes in this way may result in adversely affecting the safety levels in such a manner that cannot necessarily be foreseen. If you convert these cranes, there are several aspects that could be overlooked. This could have very negative impacts in the future.”
According to Ncube all job initiated modifications must be approved by the crane manufacturer in writing.
“We, however, advise against modifying contactor-controlled cranes to frequency converter-drive units,” he says. “There are several companies out there advertising this service and that do these conversions. We have also come across cranes that have been modified in this way and we cannot stress enough how dangerous it is.”
“Everything affects everything else be it structural, mechanical or electrical. You cannot just convert one component and think you have a new machine.”
“Any weight change when modifying the drive unit will in all probability adversely affect the crane’s stability. When this conversion is done there is also uncertainty about how much weight is being lost or how much is being added,” he says.
Considering that in the design of the crane the weight is calculated and gives the lifting capacity.
“If you lose 500kg or gain 500kg it will have a massive impact on the lifting capability.”
He said it could easily lead to overloading of the crane. “If you still deem your crane weights the same as before the modification, but during the process lost weight, you will be putting severe strain on the equipment if you are lifting the same amounts as before.”
He said modified cranes that fail while operational not only resulted in loss of production time, but were also prone to damage property which could in turn result in public claims.
“There is also the risk of serious injury to people and the overall project downtime to consider. In addition, anyone who does this conversation will not get any approval from Liebherr. That means no liability and no technical back-up which could impact on tendering processes.”
“If it is modified there will be no back-up for that crane.”
According to Ncube the company has – and will – assist any crane owner who has modified their equipment to get it back to standard.
“If you have a crane that has been modified the first step is to have it audited by the OEM.
This will indicate how possible it is to get it back to standard and operational according to the OEM warranty and guarantee. It will also give an indication of what the costs would be.”
Ncube says drive cranes, thanks to the newer technology involved, are considered to be more accurate and safer reducing downtime significantly, which was why so many people wanted to convert the contractor cranes.
“The reality is though that the two together simply do not work. Any design changes not approved by the OEM could have serious repercussions on your business. ” Liebher Africa, +27 11 365 2000, info.laf@liebherr.com
What to expect at CONEXPO
Comansa will present new models and technologies for the Northern American market at the CONEXPO
Additions to the range, the CUBE cab and a new machine setting up system
Comansa will again be taking part in the ConExpo-Con/Agg trade show in Las Vegas, United States, which will be held from 10 to 14 March 2020. The tower crane manufacturer’s stand will be number F5803, in the Festival Grounds outdoors area, at Las Vegas Convention Center.
The trade show, which is held every 3 years, is one of the most important in the construction sector worldwide and this year will feature 2,800 exhibitors and cover an area of more than 230,000 square meters. It is a very well attended event that brings together leading international
manufacturers, professionals, distributors and engineers.
Those visiting the Comansa stand will be able to find out about the LCL310 luffing-jib crane, specifically its 18-tonne maximum load version, which will be exhibited during the show. Its maximum jib length is 60 metres, and the different configurations allow for maximum jib steps every 5m. This luffing-jib crane, with its compact design and reduced out of service radius, is ideal for use in cities or congested building sites.
During the trade show, at its stand Comansa will also exhibit the CUBE cab, winner of the prestigious iF prize in 2018 and that comes as standard in most of Comansa’s cranes. It combines a new design, comfort and maximum productivity, as well as innovative advantages in terms of ergonomics and features.
Comansa will also promote the latest versions of its cranes developed over the last year, especially its new 21LC1050 and 21LC1400 models, with maximum load capacities of up to 50 and 66 tonnes respectively, which will improve productivity and enhance options in a market that is focussed on large flat-top tower cranes.
22 Lifting Africa - Jan/Feb 2020 system will be introduced. This is a new technology designed to simplify the commissioning of cranes. With Quick Set, the set up and calibration times have been significantly reduced using a system that leads to easier, safer and more intuitive adjustments, achieving faster and less labourintensive calibration. This smart development is the result of so much experience gained over the years and is readily available across the entire 21LC range and, during 2020, it will be expanded to the 11LC and 16LC ranges.
This new edition in 2020 will be the sixth consecutive time that Comansa has exhibited at ConExpo. Comansa has local presence since 2002, providing sales, after-sales, engineering and training services in Northern America. Its American Headquarter is located in Pineville, near Charlotte, North Carolina, where it also has a large warehouse to house components and spare parts, as well as technical training rooms for better customer service, and has subsidiaries in Washington and Texas.
Tower Crane Services, +27 (0) 11 865 3202, richardfletcher@ towercraneservices.co.za, www.towercraneservices.co.za
Enerpac is bringing an all-new exhibit to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 highlighting tools for construction equipment repair with several hands-on displays showing high force tools in action. A bucket maintenance display will demonstrate Mirage line boring machining for pinhole refurbishment, nut cutter tooth replacement and metal straightening using the Enerpac MS2-1020 maintenance set.
A vehicle maintenance display will demonstrate track bolt tightening and loosening using a hydraulic torque wrench and slew-bearing facing with Mirage portable facing machines. Other interactive features in the booth include a cylinder display with high-pressure hydraulic telescoping cylinders, a hydraulic cutter display showing Industrial re-bar cutting, a hydraulic pump display featuring new E-Pulse pumps and ZE pump series, lifting display with cube-jack self-cribbing lifting system, and puller display with lock-grip pullers and sync-grip pullers.
Jekko Cranes at CONEXPO 2020
Jekko will participate in the upcoming edition of Conexpo and at its stand will showcase a selection of Jekko cranes. Flagship model of SPX line, the new SPX532, stands out: presented for the first time at Bauma 2019, this new mini crane marks a sea change between the old and new design system. It incorporates important innovations such as a cutting-edge stabilising system, a sophisticated electronic and hydraulic system, greater ease of use, increased lifting capacity, an updated design and a new and user friendly radio remote control.
The jib can be stored in three ways, either at rest on the column, on the ground or resting under the main arm, with reduced installation and disassembly times. With a maximum lifting capacity of 3.2 tons and a maximum height (with jib) of 17.3 m, SPX532 is the most highperformance single-door crane on the market and can be used for work in both confined spaces, particularly in the glass market, and open areas in the industrial maintenance and building sectors On display there will be also one of the best selling mini cranes of Jekko, SPX429, and two models which made Jekko’s history, SPX527 and SPX1275.
Fascan will exhibit also the new and much anticipated JF545 articulated crawler crane. This model is characterised by many strengths: it combines the advantages of an articulated truck crane with the compactness and manoeuvrability of a mini crane, which delivers an exceptional degree of transportability, contained weight, and reduced stabilization area; all this without compromising performance (lifting capacity of 15.5 tons and vertical reach of 30 m with a jib). The JF545 is a versatile crane that can work horizontally, vertically, can lift over and around obstacles – either with a direct hook or a winch – and can be used in areas where trucks cannot access.
The MPK20 was chosen for the category of minipickers. Essential partner for industrial maintenance and glass handling, this model is widely appreciated and the best-selling minipicker in the USA.
Finally, visitors will find also the telescopic crawler crane SPK60, recognised as the most innovative crane in the lifting and access industry with LLEAP award. It has two identities for every operating requirement, from precision manoeuvres in tight and enclosed spaces, to pick&carry operations on rough terrain and in the rain Jekko, info@jekko.it, www.jekko.it
Potain launches the MRH 175 tower crane at CONEXPO 2020
The Potain MRH 175 will be shown for the first time at CONEXPO 2020 with the Hup M 28-22. Both cranes focus on easier transport and assembly, as well as improved on-site productivity.
Potain has announced the new MRH 175 tower crane, a new hydraulic luffing jib crane that will make its debut at CONEXPO 2020. It’s one of two Potain cranes that will be on display at the Manitowoc booth during the show, where the company plans to showcase the latest in lifting technology for two of the busiest sectors in the built environment: high-rise construction and homebuilding.
The other crane on show will be the Hup M 28-22 that was introduced in 2019 and is making its North American debut, complete with a new transport axle for the regional market. Both cranes can be found on the Manitowoc booth, # F6144, in the festival lot, near the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.
Thibaut Le Besnerais, vice president of global products for tower cranes at Manitowoc, said both models feature designs that give users capabilities not available with other cranes.
“In recent years under The Manitowoc Way operating system our product development has accelerated and what’s exciting about this is not only the number
24 Lifting Africa - Jan/Feb 2020 of new cranes we’re introducing, but the innovation they bring to market,” he said. “The MRH 175 has our latest hydraulic luffing technology: a design we’ve been championing for the past two years. Meanwhile, the Hup M 28-22 harnesses all the versatility and speed of our Hup cranes but with added mobility. So, at CONEXPO customers can get a firsthand look at the latest technology for the high-rise and home building sectors.”
The MRH 175 is the latest release in Potain’s line of hydraulic luffing jib cranes, a product line the company has continuously developed since unveiling the MRH 125 a year ago. Manitowoc has championed this category of cranes, with dozens of models already delivered to a range of markets.
Combining the advantages of Potain’s MR luffing jib cranes and MDT topless cranes, contractors find them particularly straightforward to assemble and disassemble on congested sites, making them ideal for urban projects, high-rise construction or job sites where space is limited.
