ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp. set a 184-ft. (56 m) walk bridge across a Lake Erie bay at the new Bayfront Convention Center in a complex but well-orchestrated two-crane pick. Detailed planning, close cooperation between crane company and engineers, ALL’s lift-planning software, experienced crane operators, and two hydraulic truck cranes pooled efforts to erect a bridge that many feared would require a tugboat with a crane aboard, according to the company.
A 350-ton (317.5 t) hydraulic truck crane from ALL crane Rental of Pennsylvania and a 300-ton (272 t) hydraulic crane from ALL Erection headquarters in Cleveland worked in tandem to set the 136,000-lb. (61,688 kg) bridge. The plan was for lifting the bridge span across the harbor, readjusting the rigging so both ends could be grabbed by the two cranes, and then each crane controlling its end to the points where erectors were waiting to fasten the walkway into place.
Adding to the complexity of the job was ensuring that there was enough room to maneuver the bridge to connect with the assist crane as well as determining the proper angle of each boom to set the bridge.
ALL’s Compu-Crane lift simulation software recreated the environment of the lift by taking basic application, site and lift data then providing 3D simulation of the lift, complete with recommendations for the proper crane, outrigger load-bearing pressures, crane capacities, and percentages of the cranes’ capacity to be used. Everything was figured into the lift, including how close the load would be to the boom just prior to swinging and booming down.
“This was an outstanding day for ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp. It showcased what our company is capable of and how our teams and yards can work together to meet any challenge,” said Michael Liptak, ALL Erection president.
For more information, call 216/524-6550 or visit www.allcrane.com.
