Cranes In Motion
Trilith, Georgia perfectly level while also ensuring a balanced lift.
“ Because the arches were uniquely shaped and fabricated from stainless steel, which can flex under load, we could not introduce any pressure points or uneven stress during lifting or transport,” said Williams.
The team evaluated the geometry and weight distribution of each piece and determined that a fully framed structure would provide the most control.
The number and placement of braces were based on maintaining rigidity across the span of the arch while preventing deflection.
Sculptor Adam Hart fabricated the braces based on that analysis.
The bottom of the arch was welded to the base of the frame to secure it structurally.
Additional bracing was positioned to stabilize the vertical and curved sections without contacting visible finished surfaces.
“ The result was a rigid lifting structure that essentially turned each sculpture piece into a controlled, predictable load,” said Williams.
Because the team couldn’ t attach slings directly to the sculpture without risking damage, Superior had to engineer the lifting points into the frame.
Lifting lugs were placed on the frame at positions that would allow the load to remain level throughout the lift.
Their locations ensured that weight was distributed evenly across the frame and that
Standing 20 feet tall, the Beacon is made of high-polished stainless steel and is now a community landmark in Trilith.
no twisting or shifting would occur once the crane took tension.
“ The goal was to make the lift behave as if it were a standard structural load,” said Williams.
To keep a sculpture section from shifitng in its protective frame during lifting and transport, the bottom of each arch was welded directly to the base of the frame.
In addition, upper parts of the frame were welded to structural elements of the arch that would not be seen in the finished installation.
Inside the frame, moving blankets were wrapped around the sculpture to protect
Olsen Named President of Superior Rigging
finished stainless steel surfaces, Styrofoam provided cushioning and shrink wrap helped hold those protective layers in place during transport and installation.
After all four arches were installed and welded into the completed sculpture, the artist carefully removed the lifting frames and protective materials.
“ We moved and installed two sections, or one arch, per day,” said Williams.“ We decided to do just one arch a day to ensure that the crew stayed sharp and kept a high level of focus throughout the job.“
Perfect Crane
For this project, Superior and Heaton chose a 45-ton capacity National Crane NBT 45-2 boom truck because it combined the required lifting capacity, reach, roadability and compactness.
“ It was compact enough to maneuver into the artist’ s yard and around his shop, yet powerful enough to set the 4,000-pound sections at a 45-foot radius on the installation site,” said Williams.“ Its precise control let the operator line up holes in the base sections over anchor bolts.”
Total Team Success
“ It was a smooth operation in which each part of the team did its part flawlessly,” said Lewis.“ The sculptor, Superior and Heaton all worked together seamlessly to make this project a success. We are all so proud to have been part of this.”
In January of this year, Superior Rigging & Erecting promoted Zach Olsen from chief operating officer to president.
He succeeds Patrick Lewis, who remains CEO and will continue to be fully engaged in the direction and leadership of the company.
Olsen joined Superior as COO in October 2023, after nearly 16 years of extensive engineering, management and leadership experience at Turner Construction Company, where he oversaw projects costing up to $ 200 million and employing more than 1,100 workers.
During his career with Turner, Olsen, who holds a degree in civil engineering from Auburn University, served as field engineer and superintendent, cost engineer, business-development engineer, project engineer, project manager, senior project manager and manager of the Special Projects Division.
That broad and in-depth experience gives Olsen a clear understanding of the construction process as well as the big-picture vision needed to strategically plan for a company’ s long-term success.
In the announcement of his promotion, Olsen thanked CEO Patrick Lewis and the generations who have helped build Superior Rigging & Erecting into the75-year success it has become.
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March 2026 • www. cranehotline. com