Mammoet battles extreme conditions
Mammoet has successfully transported 22 pieces of vital equipment to the onshore processing facility compression site (OPFC), as part of the Sakhalin-2 project, despite extreme conditions. When live, the OPFС will be a part of one of the biggest oil and gas projects - Sakhalin-2, which is aim to be the premier energy source for Asia-Pacific. Sakhalin-2 OPF is located on the east coast of Sakhalin Island. The only access for large equipment delivery is via transportation barges passing through the volatile Sea of Okhotsk, which is known for its high winds and stormy conditions. The island is primarily home to abundant wildlife and therefore lacks enough infrastructure to complete projects of this scale. The biggest challenge was the lack of a sheltered port capable of withstanding the weight of the gas production equipment. For this challenge, the client needed a partner who could operate in this remote location and within the testing conditions. The solution created for this challenge was a three-stage temporary beach landing. First, each of the 22 items was individually transferred from the transportation barge to an intermediate barge that was small enough to dock, then to the temporary beach landing
facility and finally to the beach. The existing docking bay couldn’t withstand the 500-ton three-phase inlet separator, so it was built a 200-metre temporary beach landing facility, which for environmental reasons was dismantled after the execution of works so the beach could be fully restored to its initial condition. The temporary facility meant that Mammoet could transport the equipment of the barge using SPMTs.
“The beach landing had several special requirements” This transfer was challenging, especially for the items on the single trailers, because it was executed on the open sea. Uncertain sea conditions directly affected the behaviour of the intermediate barge, and therefore Mammoet’s engineers needed to make precise calculations for every possible situation so that the transfer could take place. Once this step had been completed,
the final stage was the 7km journey from the beach to the site. Mammoet’s Project Manager, Dmitry Matsiborko, explained: “The beach landing had several special requirements.” It needed to be strong enough to carry the weight of the load, with an added focus on stability to counteract the extreme wind and sea conditions. The nearest settlement was over 100km away, so the smallest details required extensive preparation. Matsiborko concluded, “The initial schedule for the load-in to the island was 17 days, but Mammoet completed it in five. This successful execution helped us win additional scope for the installation of the three heaviest items at the OPFС site and transportation of the nine heaviest items to the installation area, so we are very happy with our efforts. We will now be able to adopt this same approach to projects with similar challenges in the future.”
Mammoet, +27 11 882 4499, sales.southernafrica@mammoet. com, www.mammoet.com
Grove GRT9165 roughterrain crane A big fan of Grove cranes — 95% of its rough-terrain fleet is Grove — the Kearney, Nebraska-based rental company decided to purchase Grove’s longest-reaching, highestcapacity rough-terrain crane: the GRT9165. The crane has been working non-stop since it arrived at Nebraska Crane's facility in December of last year, performing maintenance work on wind turbines in Iowa and, most recently, assisting with the construction of a large parking garage in Nebraska, where it is currently setting precast concrete panels. “We are very pleased with the performance of our new GRT9165. Being a Grove product, it’s exactly what we expected: it’s superior to competitor’s machines. We expect excellence and they deliver it every time,” said Ty Noyes, operations manager at Nebraska Crane. “Its strong charts and boom length provide fantastic capabilities in the field. This job at the parking garage, for example, would traditionally be done with a small crawler crane. But we were able to do it with the GRT9165 at a lower cost while adding more flexibility to the job
site, as we can move this compact rough-terrain crane around where we need it.” With a 165 USt-capacity, the GRT9165 features class leading load charts and a 62 metre (205 ft) six-section, pinned boom 1.5 metres (5 ft) longer than the closest competing model. It has been designed for easy transport, with a compact overall height of 3.7 metres (12.4 ft). It also has a hydraulically removable counterweight system and outrigger boxes, both of which are fully selfrigging, which eliminates the need for an assist crane during set-up. The new three-axle carrier with hydro-gas suspension on the rear axles provides the ability to adjust the height for transportation, in addition to providing a comfortable ride. The GRT9165 also features Grove’s new, wider, full-vision cab with Crane Control System (CCS) for maximum operator comfort and intuitive and efficient operation. "Operator comfort is an important factor for us. We like the new cab design and how simple the crane is
to run," Noyes said. Nebraska Crane’s rough-terrain rental fleet is deployed on job sites across the Midwest, and lately it has been largely used in the wind energy sector and commercial construction. As these cranes are often on the road, transportability and low cost of ownership — repair and parts availability — were crucial factors when purchasing the new machine. “For the GRT9165, we looked at the strength of the charts and boom length, and we also had in mind that Grove’s network of dealers does a lot for us out in the field — we rely heavily on them,” Noyes said. “At the end of the day, customers want the most capability that they can get at the lowest cost.” The Bloomington, Minnesota dealer Aspen Equipment helped its longtime customer Nebraska Crane purchase its newest Grove model.
CLT Cranes, +27 (0) 11 323 9600, info@craneloadtech.co.za, www.cltcranes.com
Hyva has delivered the first 16R Hyva KENNIS e-Power Rolloader crane The 16R Hyva KENNIS e-Power crane is set to become a 'game-changer', opening up new opportunities in lifting and loading. Customers are now able to operate in areas where rules and regulations on C02 emissions and noise levels are becoming increasingly demanding. This electric crane will be used in the Amsterdam area, in the vicinity of Schiphol Airport where strict environmental rules and regulations need to be observed. The crane is the ideal solution as the electric power offers considerable benefits including improved energy efficiency and lower environmental impact – no exhaust fume emissions and lower noise levels. It also provides a much healthier working environment for crane operators as they no longer need to work with the noise and exhaust fumes from a diesel engine. The crane can be operated early in the morning or late at night and still comply with the current regulations. With these performance advantages and longer operating times, Combex can differentiate its fleet and increase productivity and flexibility. On this crane, the electric engine unit is comprised of a battery pack, an electric motor, and a smart electronic control system which optimises power supply and allows
the batteries to be recharged while the vehicle is in motion. This electric system means that the crane can be operated when the truck engine is switched off. KENNIS has developed a longterm relationship with Combex Bouwlogistiek a committed and experienced partner. The new product has already begun to add more value to his fleet operations. “Following extensive research and positive feedback from many drivers, we are very pleased with this new purchase. We are always looking to invest in the future, and we are confident that this Hyva KENNIS e-Power solution will be a significant step in lowering our environmental impact,” explained Allard Tadema, Technical Director, Combex Bouwlogistiek.
is charged while on the road, so no time is lost to charging. The ORR system has been developed in collaboration with Combex and uses a Hyva battery pack. “We are proud of our Hyva KENNIS e-Power solution which recognises customer demand for electrically operated vehicles and is responding to increasingly strict environmental regulation on diesel exhaust emissions and noise pollution. We thank Combex for their trust and very pleasant cooperation”, Menno Jurjens, Sales Manager Hyva Benelux.
“And, the fact that the investment qualifies for MIA / VAMIL* is a bonus.”
The Hyva KENNIS e-Power crane is part of Hyva’s ambitious strategy of digitalization and electrification of products and processes introduced in its manufacturing plants, corporate offices, and subsidiaries, preparing the company for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
The trailer is equipped with an ORR (On-Road Recharge) system, which provides sufficient battery capacity to execute the daily job. The battery
Hyva, +27 (0) 11 822 1446, enquiries.sa@hyva.com, www.hyva.com
Configuring tower cranes for optimal value
With higher buildings the order of the day, Potain tower cranes can be specially configured for better standing height. According to Louw Smit, sales director at Crane & Hoist Equipment SA, this allows the hook height to be raised without the added cost of anchoring or jacking. The company is the southern African dealer for Potain cranes. “Configuring the mast makes the crane more suitable for the highrise structures that are popular in today’s construction sector,” says Smit. “It adds to the freestanding height of the tower crane itself, without the need to tie the crane onto the building. This saves time and money, as anchoring and jacking are expensive.” He highlights, however, that the special configuration option needs a high level of expertise and experience. “It is vital that contractors partner with technical tower crane experts like Crane & Hoist Equipment SA, who have in-depth knowledge of tower cranes configurations,” he says.
The process can be implemented by starting with bigger mast sections and then adapting to the normal mast size – giving a better hook height. This differs from the standard configuration available on the crane’s specification sheet and offers greater flexibility at a reduced expense to the customer. Crane & Hoist Equipment SA deals in both rental and sales of Potain tower cranes. Its rental fleet comprises eight top-slewing cranes and one bottomslewing crane. “Our rental fleet is well-suited to meet the needs of small and medium-sized projects, where lifting capacity of between 5 tonnes and 8 tonnes is required, with jib lengths of 50 metres to 60 metres,” Smit concludes.
Crane & Hoist Equipment SA, +27 (0) 83 424 2658, Brenden@che-sa.co.za, www.che-sa.co.za