Hydroelectric Upgrade
got underway, he added, the first order of business was to prepare the site for load handling equipment with Masonite, trench plates, mats and cribbing blocks.
“ Once that prep work was done, we brought in a 700-ton capacity gantry crane with a 35-foot extension, but even that equipment was still short of the height needed so we added a custom designed subframe to the top of the gantry to make up the difference,” Hanley said.“ Skate beams were used as well, along with a range of chain, hoists and other rigging equipment.”
To remove each of the bridge cranes, Bragg used its customized gantry system to lift the trolley within tight tolerances and lower the crane assemblies to the floor where they were moved out of the building with hoist trucks. The process was repeated four times, twice to remove the existing bridge cranes and two more times to install new machines and equipment.
“ Everything had to be positioned perfectly in the hoisting area to fit and maintain the center of gravity in a safe position,” Hanley explained.“ All of the equipment and the trolleys were bolted and welded in place as well to avoid shifts. Maintaining loads and keeping them level required precise calculations. Successful load transfers
onto and off the gantry was dependent on communication at all times.”
In the end, noted Justin Lambert, it took months of planning and execution to complete the project, including 300 hours of engineering time and the production of 185 drawings.
“ With the right equipment and custom designed pieces, the hydroelectric powerhouse now has modern bridge cranes and equipment and can more effectively keep up with customer demand for electricity with less time needed for upkeep,” Lambert said.“ With rigging expertise, our teams were also able to complete the project under budget, without downtime and most importantly without incidents or injuries.”
Bragg Crane & Rigging highly trained crews replaced bridge cranes at a hydroelectric powerhouse without incidents or injuries.
Testing Rigging
“ Is it time for proof tests or are periodic inspections more in line with my company’ s needs?” That question, according to rigging products provider Mazzella Companies, is one that lifting and rigging specialists hear all the time.
To help eliminate confusion, the company provides this helpful information:
• A proof test is defined by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers( ASME) as a load test demonstrating the fitness of a load-bearing structure. However, not all pieces of lifting and rigging gear need this kind of testing.
• While there’ s not regularly mandated testing, there are situations where it’ s warranted.
• Most businesses only need a periodic inspection of their rigging gear.
• If you’ re inspecting to the ASME B30.9 Slings standard, there’ s no requirement for any proof testing across any product.
• It is important to remember that you need to perform an initial inspection to make sure the products you ordered from the manufacturer are in line with industry standards.
• All lifting slings need to be inspected daily, or prior to each use, by a designated person as part of a frequent inspection.
• OSHA( the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires documentation that your lifting slings have been inspected by a qualified person at a minimum of every 12 months. Qualified inspectors are trained to find any physical defects, spot hazards and inform you if your sling( s) meet the criteria for removal from service.
• OSHA 1910.184 requires all new, repaired or reconditioned alloy chain slings to be proof
Bragg used hoist trucks to move the bridge cranes at the hydroelectric powerhouse, a process that tested by the manufacturer or was repeated four times – twice to remove the existing bridge cranes and two more times to install equivalent entity. new machines. www. cranehotline. com • October 2024 CRANE HOT LINE ® 13