Tadano EVOLT eGR-1000XLL-1
Eye in the Sky
The Vita Load Navigator Is Proving Its Value on a Range of Projects That Demand Precision and Enhanced Safety
When Finnco Services, a provider of tower crane services, erected two Liebherr tower cranes to facilitate the renovation of a wastewater treatment plant in Sunnyvale, California, they encountered challenging site conditions, including winds averaging 14 to 16 miles per hour( mph), with occasional gusts reaching 18 mph. To safely navigate the cranes on the jobsite, the company utilized the Vita Load Navigator( VLN) system.
“ In the confined workspace, the VLN was incredibly useful,” said Matt Finnerty, owner of Finnco Services.“ It allowed us to maneuver and maintain control between the tower sections, and a Grove all-terrain assist crane’ s boom and jib without the risk of tangling or dragging taglines.
“ By incorporating the VLN into the crane erection, our team saved significant time, enhanced safety and enabled crews to focus on other essential tasks,” Finnerty added.“ This level of precision and safety would not have been possible with traditional methods.”
For Nabholz, a construction services firm, work on the Anthony Timberland Center for Design and Material Innovation at the University of Arkansas came with challenges as well. Construction of the 44,800-square-foot
When Finnco Services encountered challenging wind conditions erecting tower cranes at a wastewater treatment plant jobsite, the Vita Load Navigator allowed them to more safely navigate the cranes on the jobsite.
building began in fall 2023 and is expected to be completed in summer 2025.
The Anthony Timberland Center is made almost entirely of mass timber. Its construction required setting numerous large vertical panels with a Tadano all-terrain crane, some weighing up to 12,000 pounds and measuring 20 to 35 feet. With the Vita Load Navigator, reported Michael Powell, a superintendent at Nabholz, the company was able to complete the task smoothly and efficiently.
“ The VLN allowed us to achieve a one-degree plumb and squareness with each lift,” Powell said.“ Without the VLN, we’ d set four to five panels per hour. With it, we were able to pick and set in a timelier fashion – just five minutes per panel instead of 15.”
Maximizing Productivity, Efficiency and Safety
At the core of the Vita Load Navigator is the ability to monitor over 1,000 data points per second and provide for real-time load monitoring and precise load adjustments. Other features of the VLN include:
• Load stability with powerful fans, which prevent spinning and rotation issues that lead to potential on-site injuries and material damage.
• Auto-hold, dynamic speed control and memory functions, which streamline load positioning and movement while minimizing crane downtime.
• The ability to perform quick, repetitive lifts rather than making constant manual adjustments.
• A remote operation range of up to 600 feet when using a single pendant VLN, and longer ranges when using dual pendants, that keeps operators away from hazardous areas.
For construction services firm Nabholz, the Vita Load Navigator improved efficiency and productivity while setting large vertical panels for a new building made almost entirely of mass timber.
“ The VLN represents a significant advancement for the industry’ s ongoing pursuit of safety and efficiency,” said Casey Savlov, executive vice president of industrial at Vita Industrial.“ With the Vita Load Navigator, crane operators have a dynamic solution for lifting and moving loads with a high degree of control.”
www. cranehotline. com • December 2024 CRANE HOT LINE ® 9