Extreme crane makeover

Linian was asked to assess whether or not the crane could be recommissioned and made fit for use for lifting and handling large reels of heavy cable.

After a survey of the crane Linian hired a large generator, installed temporary controls and powered up the crane so that they could determine what parts did and didn’t work satisfactorily.

As expected there had been such deterioration of all of the component parts over the years of lying idle that it was found necessary to completely refurbish the crane. However, the bridge beam and supporting gantry rails were still in good order.

Tratos had a preference for ‘Street’ hoists and so they purchased and supplied to Linian free issue a completely new hoist unit after Linian provided a specification for Street to work to. 

Linian designed and manufactured a new hoist crab unit to fit the existing nonstandard rail gauge and to accommodate the new hoist unit within the tight headroom restrictions.

Linian also manufactured replacement end carriages to a specific size and specification that would ideally suit the refurbished crane and its loadings and duty.

The old hoist crab unit was taken down using a large hired-in fork-lift truck and then the crane bridge itself was taken down and placed on suitable bearers at floor level making it easier to work on.

The old end carriages were removed from the bridge beams, Linian’s new carriages were fitted and then the crane bridge was lifted back up and set down on the crane rails. The new Linian hoist crab unit complete with the new hoist was then lifted up and placed on to the crane bridge beam rails. Linian manufactured and fitted a new control panel using Telemechanique component parts and replaced all old cables with new.

Linian also fitted a new cross crane cable festoon power feed system and a new downshop protected conductor bar power feed system. Both of these power feed systems and control pendant were supplied by Hamilton Powersafe.

Meanwhile, a new electrical power supply was installed into the building and up to the crane. When Linian’s engineers were totally satisfied that all of the crane refurbishment work had been completed properly and to the required industry and safety standards the crane was fully tested and certified safe to use in full accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998.

Linian also provided training for Tratos staff in overhead crane operation, lifting and slinging and supplied them with suitable slings for lifting and handling the reels of cable.

Ian Watson, MD of Linian Crane and Hoist Company, says: “Tratos UK now have a completely refurbished high quality crane which in every respect is as good as a brand new crane and yet it has cost them a full 25% less."

John Light, director of Tratos UK adds: “Linian were professional to work with and stuck to their scheduling which was refreshing and necessary at the time due to all of the other works going on in the factory."