Universal pressure lift

The two CO2 vessels weighed 125t each on the plan and were 34m long with a diameter of 4.5m

DUAL PRESSURE VESSEL LIFT, NO PROBLEM FOR UNIVERSAL

In early October the Universal Cranes Brisbane team installed two CO2 vessels for Air Liquide at Incitec Pivot on Gibson Island. Universal Cranes deployed its Grove GMK 7450 and Demag AC350 – 6 for the dual lift.

THE TWO CO2 VESSELS WEIGHED 125T

each on the plan and were 34m long with a diameter of 4.5m. Each crane was set up to lift 77.8t with rigging and this allowed for the 20 percent dual lift factor.

Robbie Glyde, Sales and Cranes Supervisor for Universal Cranes explains more.

“Obviously, there was a high degree of planning conducted by all parties involved including Air Liquide, ILP, with Rex Andrews Transport R&N Contractors carrying out pre-lift works and implementing the transport arrangements. Universal Cranes conducted numerous site visits and preliminary lift plans before the final crane selection and lift plans were drawn up,” he said.

“The configurations of the cranes meant the Grove GMK7450 had 25.7m of main boom with 120t of counterweight. The capacity on this crane was 86t and it was lifting at 90.6% of its charts with 77.9t at a radius 15m.

“The Demag AC350 – 6 had 27.2m of main boom with 116.7t of counterweight. The total load was 77.5t. The capacity of this crane was 81t and it was lifting at 11m which meant it was running at 95.7% of its charts,” said Glyde.

“Universal Cranes provided all our own rigging for the project. Generally speaking, we provide all our own rigging for projects. With these lifts we were using a S273 model Modulift spreader bars set at 6.5m which meant the slings didn’t come into contact with the vessels.

“We were able to conduct the lifts with the outrigger pads we normally send out with the cranes, although some ground preparation was required so we could set up the pads properly for the Grove GMK7450,” he said.

The project was completed over four days. On day one, both cranes were mobilised to site and due to site constraints, the cranes were mobilised into position one at a time. Day two saw the first vessel lifted into place and following completion of this lift, the cranes were moved into to another position, ready for the second lift. Day three was a ‘lay day’ for the Universal Cranes team.

“Because the vessels were so large, they could only be transported, under escort, during the early hours of the morning. Day three enabled the transport company to load the second vessel in preparation for delivery to site early on day four.

“Day four was for the second lift. We lifted the second vessel into place and both cranes were then demobilised from site. As a result of the detailed and careful planning, the lifts went really smoothly and the client was very happy to see the vessels safely in position,” said Glyde.

ADVANCED CRANES DISMANTLE WEIR WITH LIEBHERR

Advanced Cranes recently utilised its Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 to dismantle the Maffra Weir in Victoria. The Liebherr LTM 1450- 8.1 8-axle all terrain crane was the first of its type in Australia.

THE RESTRICTED SET-UP AREA FOR A

crane made this job a real challenge – an LTM 1450-8.1 from Australian crane contractor Advanced Cranes and Rigging dismantled a weir in Maffra. The hoisting equipment on the 60 year old structure and its concrete bridge were replaced. The weir is on Macalister River, around 200 kilometres east of Melbourne.

“Our LTM 1450-8.1 was the first crane of this type delivered to Australia”, says Adam Tuddenham, Managing Director of Advanced Cranes and Rigging.

The 8-axle crane has been part of Advanced Cranes’ fleet since 2020.

“Today it is still the only crane of this type in Victoria and is delivering reliable, valuable services for us,” he said.

The Liebherr 450 tonne capacity crane can be described as a large fast-erecting crane as it combines particularly good mobility with short set-up times on site. At the same time, it delivers incredible capacity with its long, powerful telescopic boom.

RESTRICTED SET-UP AREA FOR THE LARGE CRANE

For the job in Maffra, the constricted area for the crane position and the set-up work posed something of a challenge to the team – the LTM 1450-8.1 had to be positioned so that it could complete the hoisting process over the side whilst remaining within the required working radius. The steep slope, uneven terrain and an underground water tunnel made the search for a suitable crane position even harder. By using additional crane mats, the Advanced Cranes team finally managed to level the LTM 1450-8.1 adequately.

Advanced Cranes set up the LTM 1450-8.1 with a 28 metre luffing lattice jib and total ballast of 134 tonnes for this job. VarioBallast® is one of the special features of the Liebherr crane. The ballast radius can be infinitely varied using a simple hydraulic slewing mechanism. At maximum radius, the lifting capacity is also at its maximum. The radius can be reduced in constricted conditions.

Two core holes had been drilled into the 60 year old bridge before the crane started work. The attachment chains were threaded through these and connected using a 9 metre spreader bar. Ultimately the Advanced Cranes team and their LTM 1450-8.1 completed the hoisting work without any problems. They dismantled the existing gate lifting equipment for the weir and the reinforced concrete bridge. The heaviest load for the 8-axle crane was 32 tonnes plus 4 tonnes for rigging and hook at a 34-metre radius and a maximum hook height of 20 metres.

The Liebherr 450-tonne capacity crane can be described as a large fast-erecting crane as it combines particularly good mobility with short set-up times on site. At the same time, it delivers incredible capacity with its long, powerful telescopic boom.

The constricted area for the crane position and the setup work posed something of a challenge to the team.

The Liebherr 450-tonne capacity crane is described as a large fast-erecting crane as it combines particularly good mobility with short set-up times on site.