CanWEA forecasts $8.3 billion in new wind projects
BY SAUL CHERNOS
ith the Alberta government opening the door to wind and other renewable energy projects, cranes could be in for some heavy lifting.
An Alberta government incentive program to support 5,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030 has raised eyebrows in a province struggling with depressed fossil fuel prices.
A new report by The Delphi Group, commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), forecasts roughly $8.3 billion in new wind projects, with $3.7 billion spent within the province, if wind constitutes 90 per cent
of Wainwright, Alta.
of the renewable energy supply by 2030.
Solar, biomass and geothermal projects are also eligible. But the Alberta Wind Energy Supply Chain Study, financed in part by the provincial government, estimates that if wind meets the 90 per cent target then the sector would contribute nearly 15,000 job-years of employment, $25.5 million in municipal property taxes and $13.5 million in land lease payments to landowners.
“There’s a real opportunity here,” said Evan Wilson, CanWEA’s regional director for the Prairie provinces. “A lot of the money will be going to companies, employees and industries that can move
BY ANDREW SNOOK
he Port of Prince Rupert is ready to service the largest vessels in the ocean.
The port’s ability to now service 20,000-plus TEU vessels is thanks to DP World’s completion of its Phase 2 North expansion project that allowed for a significant increase in container throughput at Prince Rupert’s Fairview Container terminal.
The project started shortly after DP World purchased the Fairview Container Terminal in August 2015 and was completed a little over two years later this past August.
At the time the expansion began, the terminal had a capacity of 850,000 TEUs, one vessel berth of 360 metres, and its cranes had a reach of 22 containers wide to service 13,000 TEU vessles. Now, the terminal features a second vessel berth for a total length of 800 metres and has increased its capacity to 1.35 million TEU annually. The terminal now features three brand-new Malaccamax cranes built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (ZPMC) in addition to its existing four Super-post Panamax cranes.
“The new Malaccamax cranes
Photo: www.rupertport.com.
dock gantry cranes are about 40 feet taller and have a reach of 25 containers wide,” explains Brian Friesen, director of trade development for the Port of Prince Rupert. “They have the ability to work a 20,000 TEU vessel, the widest reaching vessels
Crane sightings continue in Montreal
BY SAUL CHERNOS
CChamplain Bridge attracts a Linden Comansa tower crane
ranes continue to flock to one of Canada’s biggest infrastructure projects.
With a projected $4.239-billion cost, the 3.3-kilometre Champlain Bridge crosses the St. Lawrence Seaway has been attracting a steady who’s who of cranes.
Two Manitowoc MLC650 lattice-boom crawlers worked in tandem earlier on to hoist a lower crossbeam and connect the bridge’s two concrete tower legs. A Manitowoc 16000 lattice-boom crawler ferried large components for the back span. A pair of Manitowoc M250 crawlers with M-1200 ringer attachments operated from barges to raise massive steel tub girders. And a Dorman Long DLMT1000 mega transporter nicknamed Thor the Ant delivered precast concrete footings and side-span piers.
The latest member of the team, a Linden Comansa 21LC550
continued on page 13
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Crews at BluEarth Renewables’ Bull Creek Wind Project southeast
unload a tower section with help from 165-ton Liebherr LTM 1130 and 160-ton Tadano ATF130 all-terrain cranes. Photo courtesy of BluEarth Renewables.
A Linden Comansa 21LC550 tower crane is being used to build the new Champlain Bridge’s main pylon, which will be 170 metres tall.
Photo courtesy of Linden Comansa.
The Business Of Heavy Lifting
CANADA
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A bottleneck of infrastructure bucks?
hen the federal government first announced it was doubling down on infrastructure spending in the 2016 Budget - $60 billion in additional funds over 10 years for the construction of new transport and energy systems - one could feel an increase optimism from Canada’s construction sector. After all, more money for infrastructure spending should translate into more available contracts for everyone to bid on and create more employment opportunities in the sector, right?
Well, so far this appears to be true - at least as far as overall employment numbers in the sector go. According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, November 2017, employment in the construction sector was up 16,000, enjoying its second straight month of gains. But more importantly, that latest boost in employment brought the year-over-year gains in the sector to 50,000 jobs (or an increase of 3.6 per cent). Sounds like the feds’ plan to build employment through infrastructure investment is working, but it may have some issues.
An additional $60 billion over 10 years is a lot of money to add to funds already earmarked for projects, and that additional injection of cash may be creating a bottleneck for getting to funds where they need to go. According to recent articles by various news outlets across the country, the federal government is experiencing delays in getting funding for infrastructure spending out the doors of the federal treasury, about $2.14 billion worth of delays. The articles are based on a report that states that of the $5.3 billion that Infrastructure Canada had planned to spend in its last fiscal year (ended on March 31, 2017), that approximately 40 per cent of those funds were not spent. According to an article by the Toronto Star, about $1.48 billion of the $2.14 billion that was not spent was earmarked for “various large-scale projects, representing about 90 per cent of what the government expected to spend on things like new transit and water
systems.” The Liberals argue that they are managing the flow of money to projects (which, of course, is expected of them); while the opposition critics have argued that the frozen funds are symptoms of a larger problem related to the federal government’s long-term infrastructure program. To be fair to the feds, some project delays (and therefore, spending delays) are completely out of their control. Some of the projects they pegged for funding have been delayed due to labour issues and bad weather. And since payment is often not released until projects are completed, the money has nowhere to go. And when projects are completed, the federal government sometimes requires receipts from cities and provinces before releasing funding, which creates additional delays. That said, it sounds like there may be a piece or two missing from the Liberals’ infrastructure program’s spending chain for getting the funding where it needs to go in an efficient manner.
With such a significant increase in funding earmarked for projects, perhaps more resources are required at various government levels to get all these receipts where they need to go? Whether its an increase in administrative staff at the municipal, provincial or federal levels, improved software programs for processing receipts, or an overhaul of the entire workflow processes for funding releases, the federal government may need to figure out quicker methods to get the money in the hands of the right people so it can hit its spending targets.
Despite the slower pace to the release of funds, the feds’ infrastructure plan does appear to be helping the construction sector’s employment levels move in the right direction. And if the employment levels are moving in the right direction, then contracts are being awarded. And if contracts are being awarded, then the equipment purchase orders and rental orders are being submitted.
Here’s to a prosperous 2018!
OSHA issues final rule setting compliance date for crane operator certification requirements
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) issued a final rule setting November 10, 2018 as the date for employers in the construction industries to comply with a requirement for crane operator certification. The final rule becomes effective November 9, 2017. OSHA issued a final cranes and derricks rule in August 2010. After stakeholders expressed concerns regarding the rule’s certification requirements, OSHA published a separate final rule in September 2014, extending by three years the crane operator certification and competency requirements. This one-year extension provides additional time for OSHA to complete a rulemaking to address stakeholder concerns related to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard. OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) recommended delaying enforcement of the certification requirement and extending the employer assessment responsibilities for the same period.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
SC&RA announces lineup for 2018 symposium
The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) has finalized the schedule for the 2018 Specialized Transportation Symposium taking place from Feb. 27 to March 2, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch in St. Louis, Mo.
The annual event brings together specialized transportation professionals and government permitting officials to discuss a variety of topics, including permitting harmonization, safety, regulations, compliance and some of the most pressing topics in specialized transportation.
The symposium will open with a mustsee presentation from Marcia Taylor, CEO of Bennett International Group, and Ellen Voie, president and CEO of Women in Trucking. Recent research has found that companies with more gender diversity enjoy 15 per cent better financial returns than those without women. As two of the industry’s leading female CEOs, the duo will discuss the practical and financial benefits of how changing your company’s values and hiring practices can lead to greater success.
Another highlight of the symposium, “Uniform Permit Transport 2021,” will discuss SC&RA’s groundbreaking proposal for 100 per cent uniform permit weight analysis and allowance. This panel discussion will feature two state DOT engineers and will analyze and debate the merits of the proposal. Representatives of SC&RA will also share a plan of action to fight for uniformity with the expressed purpose of saving members time and money.
Additional can’t-miss presentations include: Inspections & OS/OW Enforcement in the Midwest & Beyond; What’s Really Going On In Washington, D.C.?; In-Cab Technology: Changing the Role of Drivers; and Bigger Is Better: Using New Driver Training To Break Down The Complexity Of Specialized Carriers.
“This is one of the most ambitious Specialized Transportation Symposium agendas we’ve ever offered,” said SC&RA vice-president Steven Todd. “The value of meeting and networking with state permit officials and being at the forefront of our new Uniform Permit Transport 2021 initiative will be invaluable as companies look for ways to expand their efficiency and ultimately their bottom line.”
As always, the symposium will also host an extensive exhibit centre featuring 58 of the industry’s leading companies showcasing products and equipment on the market. Additionally, the Leadership Forum is returning for its second year, an event intended to engage rising stars in their 20s and 30s and provide them with the necessary tools to leverage their SC&RA memberships for company and career success. For more information about the Leadership Forum or to apply, visit www.scranet.org/LeadershipForum.
Registration for the 2018 Specialized Transportation Symposium opened on November 14.
Updates and further information can be found at www.scranet.org/Events.
Western Pacific Crane & Equipment Canada opens new facility in Surrey, B.C.
Western Pacific Crane and Equipment Canada has been providing customer support, service and parts in the B.C. area for Manitowoc, Grove, National Crane and PM Knuckle Boom cranes since 2011, and will now be doing so from its new location in Surrey, B.C.
The new facility, located at 9538 195th Street with close access to the Trans-Canada Highway, is in the heart of the industrial area and is in a prime location for the lower mainland.
“Our new facility allows us access to the entire province of British Columbia,” said Randy DeFosse, general manger for Western Pacific Crane and Equipment Canada. “We can provide equipment, parts and product support quickly and efficiently minimizing delay and downtime. We’re sure that our customers will notice the immediate impact that this new facility will bring.”
The new shop features four service bays; a fully staffed support team for service, parts and equipment sales; a fully equipped repair shop; eco-friendly oil/ water separator for the wash bay area; mobile field service dispatch; a parts warehouse; machine inventory; a large office space.
“As British Columbia’s only authorized distributor for Manitowoc, Grove and PM cranes we are excited about what this new facility will bring to the region,” said Bob Johnson, president of Western Pacific Crane and Equipment Canada.
“Our overall corporate strength in product knowledge and the support that these relationships bring from the manufactures, assure that our customers will get the best equipment, backed by the world’s largest distribution group for Manitowoc and Grove cranes.”
The facility is open during normal business hours Monday to Friday, and, as always, service and parts are available 24/7 via the telephone at (855) 352-7263. www.wpcanada.ca
Safety Code and Provincial and State inspection requirements into one book with mechanics’
tracking sheets.
“Where have you been hiding these? These logbooks are so good our operators actually want to use them!”
They are customized to most jurisdictions in Canada. USA states coming soon.
Terex Cranes unveils Demag AC 45 City and AC 300-6
BY ANDREW SNOOK
o say that Terex Cranes’ Demag AC 40 City crane was a popular item for crane operators would be a serious understatement. After all, more than 1,000 of the AC 40 models were sold within one year of its arrival into the marketplace. Given the crane’s popularity, it wasn’t surprising to witness the unveiling of the AC 45 City crane during Terex Cranes’ recent product launch in Demag’s hometown of Zweibrücken, Germany.
The AC 40 City was built from 1997 to 2014, and from the time it was introduced to the development phase of the AC 45 City, the company has received a great deal of feedback on the AC 40 from its customers on how to improve the crane.
Frank Schröder, director of product management for all terrain cranes, highlighted some of the key improvements during the product launch.
One key improvement made on the AC 45 City was the installation of a much stronger engine and an improved drivetrain.
“We’ve put in a 350-horsepower engine which is 70-horsepower more than the AC 40 had,” Schröder told the crowd.
Another improvement made based on customer feedback for the AC 45 City was an increased telescopic load.
“We were able to double the telescopic loads on the AC 45 City – compared to the AC 40 City – so we can telescope with fully hydraulic boom loads up to nearly 20 tons,” Schröder said.
An infinite outrigger base was also added to the AC 45 City.
“One of the most outstanding and new features is an infinite outrigger base, where you can place and position the outriggers in any position you need in terms of confined spaces where the space is needed,” Schröder said.
Terex Cranes listened to the feedback of crane operators in terms of improvements to the space, ergonomics and operations within the cabin and made a variety of upgrades there as well.
Additional functional testing of the AC 45 City is expected to continue until this coming May with serious production of the new all terrain cranes starting in June 2018 and the cranes becoming available in the marketplace in July 2018.
AC 300-6
The Demag AC 300-6 all terrain crane is an improved product that is replacing the AC 250-6. The AC 300-6 is built with an 80-metre main boom and is the first crane of its size in the Demag range equipped with a luffing jib.
“The focus and the development was on multi-build
and multi-purpose use for various applications, but it definitely delivers a best performance in tower cranes erection and in refinery works,” Schröder said. “The AC 300-6 can lift a load of 15 tonnes [16.5 US tons] at a height of above 75 metres at a radius of 20 to 80 metres. That’s definitely an outstanding performance in terms of lifting height and lifting capacity compared to every other crane in the market.”
Two additional key benefits on the AC 300-6 for customers are interchangeable parts and parts commonality.
Interchangeable parts make the crane more efficient and helps to decrease spending, Schröder told the crowd. “We achieved that we can interchange the main boom extension and the runner from our five-axle family – the AC 250-5, the AC 220-5 and also the AC 160 and 130 – to the AC 300-6. So if customers are running five-axle cranes with this equipment, they can use this equipment also on the 300-6; and vice-versa.”
Schröder added that parts commonality is a “win-win” for the company and its customers.
“It’s a win for our customers because they are more efficient in terms of stocking parts; in terms of getting better service from us; and being fast in service and maintenance,” he said. “And we are much more efficient in terms of inventory management and providing parts for our customers, if needed. We achieved a parts commonality with all the five-axle models of more than 50 per cent.”
Production on the AC 300-6 is expected to begin in March 2018.
The company also discussed its three-axle Demag AC 55-3 and AC 60-3 cranes, announced earlier this year, and recent improvements to the AC 100-4L all terrain crane, which features a new design that improves lifting performance, especially when working at steep main boom positions.
A WINNING POSITION
Focus. Simplify. Execute to win. That was the message from Terex Corporation president and CEO John Garrison during the Demag product launch of the AC 45 City and AC 300-6 all terrain cranes.
FOCUS
Garrison said that over the course of the last 18 months that the Terex Corporation has re-positioned itself to focus on the company’s key strengths. This re-focusing includes the exiting of all elements of the construction business and the recent sale of its material handling and port solutions business, so it can focus on the its three core business
All Sizes of Boom Trucks
Sizes of Hydraulic Cranes
Sizes of Rough Terrain
Members of Terex Cranes gather around the company’s new AC 45 City.
Terex Corporation president and CEO John Garrison discusses the company’s focus on its core businesses moving forward.
The AC 45 City all terrain crane was developed with a great deal of feedback from customers who operated the AC 40 City model.
segments: aerial work platforms, cranes and mineral processing, all of which have longstanding, well known international brands backing them including Genie (AWPs); Demag (cranes); Powerscreen, Terex Finlay and Fuchs (mineral processing).
“It’s really transitioned from a mergers and acquisition focus to an operating company focus,” Garrison told the crowd. “One thing we’ve been talking to people about and ensuring people understand is that our cranes business is not for sale. This is a business we’re going to invest in to grow, and to be successful in the marketplace.”
SIMPLIFY
Garrison said that Terex needed its recent downsizing as an organization to become more efficient in today’s marketplace, which included staff reductions, particularly on the administration side of its businesses, as well as some plant closures.
“We compete in a hyper-competitive
global marketplace. We have to be efficient and effective on a global basis. We’ve had to do some difficult things,” he said.
“Why? Because we weren’t effective and efficient on a global basis to be successful going forward.
“But at the heart of simplify is really what it means from a customer standpoint: How do we simplify our operations so we’re easier to do business with? These are complex machines on the crane side, so how do we simplify that operating process from the time we quote, to the order, to the delivery process. How do we handle the parts and service side of our organization? How can we be easier to do business going forward?”
Garrison said the company’s plans for simplifying operations also included a focus on reducing unnecessary expenditures on the administration side of the business to improve other aspects of the company’s operations.
“We had too much investment, or money spent, in general or administrative expenses and not enough investment in what really matters to customers, which is our products and our services,” he said. “Reducing our G&A expenditures, we’re taking that and re-investing in product development… investing in our products, investing in our sales and service and investing in our parts side of our business.”
The company is also in the process of streamlining its supply chain to ensure it gets the most from its suppliers including best pricing, best quality and top technologies, Garrison added.
EXECUTE TO WIN
Garrison told the crowd that “execute to win” is about process discipline and execution rigour to drive accountability.
“We have to be an organization, where we make a commitment we’re going to deliver the crane on this date and we deliver that quality crane that date, no excuses,” he said. “And driving that day in and day out through all aspects of our business – our sales team, our operations team – so that we can deliver on those commitments we make to our customers.”
Steve Filipov, president of Terex Cranes, had one message he wanted editors from around the world to take back with them.
“My main message is: We are back. We are back in the crane business,” he told the crowd. “We’ve built cranes for 100 years, and we’re going to continue building cranes for another 100 years.”
Full Time-Permanent Crane Operator needed for HITE Services Ltd. 790 Lapointe Street, Sudbury ON, P3A 5N8. Start Date: ASAP Work location: ON (several locations) and Montreal, QC.
Education and Certi cation
Secondary School required.
Hosting Engineer - Mobile Crane Operator Branch 1 and 2 required.
Skills and Experience
Qualified candidates must have experience (more than 10 years) instructing managers and supervisor on the regulations and set-up of lifting equipment and on routine maintenance work, and experience instructing operators and apprentices on hoisting and jacking equipment.
While working as an operator the candidate must be able to set-up and operate foundation equipment cranes with pile driving or drilling equipment from American, Ohio, Terex, Manitowoc, Grove, Link Belt. The Instructor/Operator must have experience with tandem lifting of large vessels including bridge spans, experience working with cranes on barges sitting in fresh and salt water for setting bridge spans, and must have a strong mathematical background.
Salary: $35.00 to $37.00 hourly, 8 – 12 hrs per day, 40 – 60 hrs per week. Apply by e-mail to: info@hiteservices.com, fax: 705-524-5373
We are also looking for certified crane technicians, electricians, welders and millwrights in the Timmins area. Please contact us to see what HITE has to offer.
The Demag AC 300-6 all terrain crane is an improved product that is replacing the AC 250-6. It is built with an 80-metre main boom and is the first crane of its size in the Demag range equipped with a luffing jib. Photo: Terex Cranes.
One crane is produced every day at the Zweibrücken factory, which typically has 750 people on site. The entire facility employs about 1,500 people. Crane & Hoist Canada toured the facility this past October.
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
Submission for Safety Awards open! I
n preparation for the 20th anniversary celebrations, the Crane Rental Association of Canada (CRAC) is accepting applications for its new Safety Awards. The criteria and application form can be found on the CRAC website. The Safety Awards are open to member crane rental companies and companies receiving the awards will be listed on the CRAC website and covered in partner publications.
New in 2018
‘Tis the season to renew your CRAC membership or join if you are not already a member. Starting with the new year, member companies will receive an Electronic Member Directory. Directories will be emailed in March, so it is important to sign-up early. Belonging to CRAC also means that you get to network with the leaders of the crane industry in Canada. Great partnership and friendships are formed every year at the annual conference. In addition, here are some of the other advantages of becoming a member of CRAC.
• Each member has an equal vote regardless of size;
• Non-union and union member companies are welcome;
• Members receive an annual Membership Certificate;
• Members have the opportunity to participate in various committees;
• Attending the CRAC Conference is a benefit of membership – exclusive to member companies and their employees can attend the conference;
• Members receive the latest information from manufacturers, suppliers of equipment and services;
• New Safety Awards were launched at the 2017 AGM with the first edition taking place in 2018;
• Longevity Awards will be presented at the 2018 AGM;
• Boom Dolly Research Committee involves 27 companies dedicated to managing the transportation risks and working to improve weight restrictions in every Canadian province; and
• Members have opportunities to become directors and take on leadership roles in the association.
Registration for the 2018 Conference is now open!
Take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and sign-up for the 2018 conference.
We are pleased to host Crane Rental Association of Canada’s Conference for the first time in Winnipeg, Manitoba - and Winnipeg will surprise you! Three days of business and social events for all members and spouses of the association. The highlights of this year include: The 2018 Get Together at the Gateway to the Arctic with polar bears, a great golf tournament at the Glendale Golf & Country Club, a unique afternoon program at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and The Spreader Bar, and events at the historic Fort Garry Hotel. Our speakers will address topics of wide interest and spouses will be invited to attend some of these sessions as well as participate in the spousal program.
For membership information or to register for the conference, please visit www.crac-aclg. ca or email claire@crac-aclg.ca.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and great success in 2018!
The 20th anniversary edition of the CRAC Conference will take place from June 6 to 9, 2018 at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg.
CRAC NEWS
From big lumber to big lifts
Mike Turnbull embracing CRAC roles
BY ANDREW SNOOK
hen Mike Turnbull was offered the opportunity to join the Crane Rental Association of Canada’s executive board as treasurer and secretary last year, he was more than happy to take on those roles.
J.D. Irving, Limited’s director of business development became interested in the work of the association after attending his first CRAC conference in Montreal a few years ago.
“That’s how I really got exposure to the association ” Turnbull says. “I went to the AGM in Montreal and got to meet some of the members and get exposed to other industry players. From there I was asked to be an [Eastern Canadian] representative on the board, so I accepted the offer and became secretary and treasurer of the board last year.”
Accepting a new challenge is nothing new to Turnbull. Over the span of his career at JD Irving, Turnbull has always been eager to accept new roles and challenges within the company he started with after graduating Dalhousie University with a degree in mechanical engineering.
“I started with JD Irving in 1995 in the sawmill division in Weymouth, Nova Scotia as a mechanical engineer,” Turnbull says, adding that he spent his first 10 years with the company in its sawmill and woodlands division before accepting an offer to become the manager overseeing the woodlands and sawmills mobile equipment division. “That’s where I got my interest in mobile equipment... There are lots of career opportunities [at JD Irving] to be able to move between business units.”
After overseeing Irving Equipment for about two years, Turnbull was presented another career opportunity to become director of business development for multiple J.D. Irving companies. Between these two positions, he has come to learn a great deal about the crane business.
One aspect of the crane industry that Turnbull has a special appreciation for is that no matter what someone’s position is within the heavy lifting sector, there is a certain sense of pride in completing projects that is felt by nearly everyone.
“Whether it’s the operators or crane supervisors or other peers within the industry, they all carry themselves with a sense of pride about what they do,” he says, adding that the sense of pride within the industry really hit home for him while driving by a project site with clients who had proudly pointed out a
job they had worked on 10 years ago.
“You really see that dedication… that sense of pride. It didn’t get me into the industry, but I quickly saw that when I got into the industry.”
One of the more interesting projects that Turnbull had the opportunity to be a part of was a contract awarded to Irving Equipment by The History Channel to help people dig for treasure at Oak Island, N.S. on Season 4 and Season 5 of The Curse of Oak Island.
“It was a key project that was quite something to be part of – an exciting project,” he says.
Another project that Turnbull is proud to be a part of is a partnership between Irving Equipment and Fagioli Canada at the Halifax Shipyard, where his company was contracted to move major sections of the Royal Canadian Navy’s first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) from the Assembly Hall to dockside for future outfitting on the Halifax waterfront.
CRAC goals
As a member of the CRAC executive board, Turnbull wants to make sure that members see value in the services provided by the association; whether that is through working with CRAC staff and other industry members; or through advocacy work with government or industry partners, working together to drive the industry forward.
Turnbull also wants to continue the trend in bringing more educational sessions to the CRAC annual general meetings, acknowledging the need to provide maximum value for members willing to take time out of their busy schedules to attend the popular event.
“The CRAC AGM is a key networking event for industry players,” Turnbull says. “The CRAC is a key aspect of the crane industry.”
All around, the experience was very good. I enjoyed the format of being in the classroom with the Boom Truck Operators and sharing the real life job experiences. The conversations were better because of the combined class. And I’ve received multiple job offers in the oil sands as a soon as I’m certified. Can’t beat that!
– Trent, Graduate of the Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator - Mobile Crane Apprenticeship 3rd Period
Northern Lakes College offers a unique mobile delivery where training is provided in locations across Alberta where apprentices are working. Bringing the classroom to you!
APPLY TODAY!
For dates and locations please visit us on our website www.northernlakescollege.ca or call 1-866-652-3456.
Mike Turnbull
OETIO campus erects new tower crane
BY GRANT CAMERON
inishing touches have been put on a new tower crane and six-storey steel support structure at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) campus in Oakville, Ont.
The yellow Liebherr 85 EC-B5 was erected and a support structure was built around the base so students can be trained in both top- and bottom-climbing procedures. The structure is necessary for the tower crane to be raised and lowered, like it would be on a worksite.
Training staff, apprentices and representatives from Morrow Equipment Co. recently completed a bottomclimb test of the crane. A top-climb test was done earlier in the year.
The crane has a lifting capacity of 5,000 kilograms and is equipped with an extra-large cab for training students.
The OETIO is the only training centre that offers topand bottom-climbing crane procedures.
“This new tower crane is a great addition to our fleet of cranes and training equipment,” said Local 793 business manager and IUOE vice-president Mike Gallagher. “It will complement our existing program and crane simulation and puts us at the very forefront of crane training.”
Preparations for the tower crane began late last year when an existing tower crane was dismantled and sent to the OETIO training campus in Morrisburg, Ont.
A concrete pad for the new tower crane was poured last December by Local 793 member Craig Agar of Pumpcrete, using the OETIO’s own concrete pump.
The crane was erected in May 2017.
Crews then began working on the permanent support structure. Vertical columns of the structure were erected
and then
Local 793 operator Paul Creighton, who works for Niagara Rigging and Erecting Company, helped with the steel erection. He operated a 50-ton LinkBelt roughterrain crane.
The crane extends three floors higher than the surrounding steel structure. It is now operational and instructors at the OETIO are developing a curriculum to train tower crane apprentices and operators in top- and bottomclimbing procedures.
Gallagher said the crane was purchased and installed because the union wants to ensure the OETIO remains a world-class training facility.
“By purchasing and installing this crane, we are really showing a commitment to our industry and our contractors partners,” he said. “We are always looking for ways to improve our training and offer new courses to members that are relevant to the industry.
“By investing in equipment such as the new tower crane, we can continue to train apprentices and operators and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the construction industry in Ontario.”
Local 793 vice-president Joe Dowdall, who is the union’s director of training and apprenticeship and worked as a tower crane operator, said it’s important that preparations for top- and bottom-climbing a crane are done according to the instructions in the crane manufacturer’s manual and also that post-op procedures are followed.
“Crane operators and apprentices are the ones who sit in the crane after it has been raised and are responsible for its safe operation. They need to understand the importance of ensuring that all aspects of the climb have been followed. They need to understand what areas on the crane or tower they need to inspect during daily operations as well. This type of training is long overdue and I’m very happy that we now have a tower crane and structure where we are able to perform this type of training.”
Dowdall said he was very pleased at how smooth the crane could be bottom-climbed within the climbing frame and how it was top climbed when a section was inserted to increase the height of the tower.
“The hydraulic system worked effortlessly and we were able to raise and lower the crane to the desired height without any problem,” he said.
Dowdall adds that he is confident the OETIO will have the best training curriculum developed soon to make sure apprentices and operators are trained to the highest standards for the industry.
first
beams were attached. Several floors and a staircase were installed later. The steel structure was designed by Mark Wojcik of Burrell & Associates Inc.
Mi-Jack Canada brings unsurpassed Customer Support, lead by the best Factory Trained Service Technicians, the most k n ow l e d ge a b l e Pa r t s P ro fe s s i o n a
s a l l b a c ke d by N o r t h
America’s leading equipment group. As a part of the Lanco Equipment Group, Mi-Jack Canada, along with Walter Payton Power Equipment and Western Pacific Crane & Equipment, is now part of the World’s Largest Manitowoc Dealer group.
Mi-Jack Canada stocks Manitowoc and Grove cranes and is part of North America’s
CRANE ROPE CENTRES
Crane sector poised continued from cover
from being a part of the traditional oil and gas sector to participating in the wind supply chain.”
Many of the skills and occupations required for wind projects, including engineering, construction, operations and maintenance, are transferable from oil and gas to wind, Wilson said. “If you have cranes previously used in oil and gas, there will be opportunities when it comes to putting up the towers, turbines and blades. And if you’ve done foundation building in the oilsands and traditional energy, there’s also the need for foundations with wind.”
While wind system features such as foundations require specialized design, the work is largely comparable.
“In the end it’s concrete and rebar underground to support something above the ground,” Wilson said, adding some companies with oilsands and other traditional energy facilities are participating in renewable energy competitions in Alberta, and also in Saskatchewan.
Wilson sees most wind-related activity happening in southeast and eastern Alberta, in areas such as Pincher Creek and Wainwright, where some 900 turbines already produce nearly 1,500 MW of generating capacity.
While Alberta is home to some of Canada’s earliest commercial wind farms, the province currently ranks third in installed generating capacity, behind roughly 5,000 MW in Ontario and 3,500 MW in Quebec. But plans to add 5,000 MW in Alberta and 1,900 MW in Saskatchewan would be significant.
“With this ambitious plan from the Alberta government to get to 30 per cent renewables by 2030, we’ll likely see more wind in Alberta than anywhere else in the country by the end of this roll-out,” Wilson said.
Wilson said southern and eastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan offer some of the best climate for wind generation in Canada.
“They’re not necessarily the windiest areas and they might not have the windiest single days,” Wilson concedes. “But what we need for renewable electricity is strong, consistent, predictable wind, and that’s where you’ll find it in Canada.”
Gareth McDonald, who oversees project development for Calgary-based BluEarth Renewables, said provincial plans should enable significant construction and maintenance work for cranes over the next decade or more.
“Every wind farm requires a number of cranes,” McDonald said. “You use everything from your smallest picker trucks and boom cranes to huge 1,000-ton-plus crawler cranes.”
McDonald said roughly a half dozen cranes could be active on a large wind site during construction.
“You’d have some unloading turbine parts from delivery trucks, and some setting up base sections which can be done by two smaller cranes,” he said. “Then you’d have another two lifting the rotor and the cell, which can weigh 60 to 90 tonnes, contain the generator and sit at 100 to 120 metres atop the tower.”
Crews generally use a rough terrain crane and a smaller crane to set components into place.“It normally takes two cranes for a tower section,” McDonald
said. “You usually have a crane at each end. The larger crane takes the lead and the smaller crane eases off and allows that tower section to become vertical so the larger crane can set it on the foundation.”
Towers generally come in 20-metre sections, each weighing 20 to 30 tonnes, and are stacked to achieve full height.
Installation techniques vary. Sometimes crews assemble a turbine’s rotor on the ground by attaching the three blades to the hub and then hoisting the assembly as a single entity. Other times, blades might be hoisted individually and bolted onto the rotor hub.
While BluEarth develops and operates the farms, the company contracts construction to specialized service providers, including crane companies.
With good reason. While component lifts are usually straightforward, wind is — predictably — an issue. Randy Kettles, operations manager with Edmonton-based Myshak Crane and Rigging, said crews use matting and mobile wind apps help determine optimal times for heavy lifts.
DID YOU KNOW?
Alberta ranks third in Canada with an installed wind energy capacity of 1,479 MW. The province’s wind farms produce enough electricity each year to power 625,000 homes, equivalent to about six per cent of Alberta’s electricity demand.
- CanWEA
The toughest challenge, Kettles said, is moving crawlers from one turbine or site to another when roads and pathways aren’t stable or wide enough or when power lines interfere. Often, crews walk a large rough terrain crane in front of a crawler to catch soft spots and other potential hazards.
Tip-overs are rare and are usually resolved by knocking down boom length, removing some of the counterweight, and walking the crane to safety, Kettles said. While construction is crane-intensive, maintenance is less so. Towers can be climbed from inside, and a significant amount of their care is done without cranes unless heavy components need to be removed. Furthermore, oil and gas facilities have scheduled shutdowns whereas wind assemblies only need major attention when they malfunction.
Alberta-wide, and during the fossil fuel downturn, Kettles said Myshak has roughly 70 crane operators on hand at any given time, with just shy of a dozen working on wind projects compared with roughly 40 working for oil and gas.
“The construction is great income but operations and maintenance are fairly sporadic,” Kettles said. “They’re not something you would build your business on.”
Crane sightings continue in Montreal
continued from cover
tower crane, was acquired in September to help erect the main pylon.
Working from the bridge’s new deck, the 21LC550 has a maximum load capacity of 25 tonnes.
Signature Sur Le Saint-Laurent Construction, the consortium holding the private-public partnership contract the federal government awarded for designing and building the bridge, has put it to work hoisting the main span pylon, which supports the stay cables, and servicing additional areas within its 50-metre reach.
Mariano Echávarri, a spokesperson with Linden Comansa, described the 21LC550 as a flat-top tower crane designed for heavy loads.
“We supply this model all over the world and it is quite popular in North America,” Echávarri said. “The 21LC550 has been used to build bridges, tall buildings, dams, large malls, industrial premises and more.”
Linden Comansa supplied the same crane for other Canadian projects, including the CHUM hospital in Montreal and the Keeyask dam in Manitoba.
The 21LC550 also comes with a lighter-weight 20 metric tonne load capacity but bridge proponents settled on 25 tonnes. They also opted for a 50 metre-long jib, rather than 80 metres, for reach, Echávarri said.
At the end of that 50-metre jib, the 21LC550 can load up to 10,600 kilos in standard mode and 11,600 kilos when using a system known as PowerLift. “This control system, which comes standard, is designed to be activated occasionally by the crane operator from the cab,” Echávarri said, explaining that load increases are achieved by reducing hoist and trolley speeds.
Echávarri said the 21LC550 is well suited for erecting the 170-metre-tall pylon and setting forms and precast components because it fits well in concentrated areas of construction. He added that the tower crane will be raised with a hydraulic jacking cage to reach a final height of 123 metres from the bridge deck.
“At such height it is much more efficient to use a tower crane since the operator has a bird’s eye view and excellent control of all lifts,” Echávarri said. “Using other types of cranes like really large mobile or crawler cranes doesn’t make sense in this project because all the manoeuvres would have more risks as they would be controlled from the ground.”
The standard hoist mechanism that comes with the 21LC550 allows speeds up to 166 metres per minute. “Such high speeds are a key factor to ensure a great performance of the crane, especially when it reaches the final height of 123 metres from the deck of the bridge (180 metres from the base of the pylon),” Echávarri said.
Ready to take on the biggest
worldwide… we needed to add the second berth to increase traffic, and we needed the big cranes to accommodate larger vessels.”
DP World also increased the terminal’s overall footprint to 32 hectares (320,000 square metres with the reclamation of 4.5 hectares of land) and added 6,000 feet of on-dock rail and six rubber tired gantry cranes (RTGs).
“The expanded container terminal is an economic engine for the city of Prince Rupert and is directly responsible for hundreds of jobs with many others in the local community and beyond benefitting from its operations,” stated DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. “We are delighted to mark this occasion today which signals our commitment to Canada and the local community. This is all part of our plans to provide capacity to meet Canada’s Pacific container terminal capacity requirements for decades to come in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.”
“Prince Rupert’s success has been driven by its unparalleled geographical position on the Trans-Pacific trade route, high terminal productivity and consistent low dwell times that have been sustained alongside our significant growth in throughput over the past two years,” added DP World Canada Inc. general manager Maksim Mihic. “Strong relationships with our partners ILWU, the Prince Rupert Port Authority and CN Rail have resulted in a reliable and competitive service for our customers.”
Breaking bulk
The Fairview Terminal has been operating as a container terminal for 10 years (it
Echávarri pointed out that other potential alternatives such as large mobile or crawler cranes would need to be controlled from the ground and require considerable time to set up. Their working speed is relatively slow and their cost for purchase or rent tends to be high, he added.
Echávarri declined to reveal a price tag for the 21LC550 but confirmed the crane was sold to the bridge’s builders through Linden Comansa’s North American office.
Véronique Richard-Charrier, a spokesperson for Signature Sur Le Saint-Laurent Construction, said the 21LC550 was chosen specifically for erecting the pylon.
The pylon, which will serve as the main support for the cable-stay bridge, is itself a key feature of the bridge. The pylon’s cables extend harp-like, parallel to each other, so the bridge can span over-top the shipping lanes.
“The pylon is being constructed using a jump form or self climbing formwork system and in-situ concrete,” Richard-Charrier said. “Tower cranes are ideal for this type of vertical construction, providing a very efficient lifting capacity to logistically support the advancing work face.”
The 21LC550 will work from the bridge deck and has the capacity to be extended vertically as the pylon progresses. “The increased height will require that the crane mast is connected to the pylon at intervals to give it additional stability,” Richard-Charrier said.
As usually is the case with tower cranes, weather is a consideration. It can’t be operated when winds exceed 50 kilometres per hour.
The tower crane’s 123-metre height atop the deck also required cooperation with St. Hubert Airport Authority to ensure aircraft landing there remain unobstructed. “The height of the pylon itself is also constrained by aircraft,” Richard-Charrier said.
The new cable-stayed bridge replaces an existing one bearing the same name that opened in 1962 and has aged considerably in recent years. The older bridge has remained open in order to reduce traffic headaches.
The Champlain Bridge is one of Canada’s busiest bridges, with an average of 136,000
Eglinton Crosstown project sparks a first for Canada
Oakwood Station construction requires unique crane assembly
BY ANDREW SNOOK
The Eglinton Crosstown project is no small undertaking.
When completed, the massive $5.3-billion light rail transit line will transport commuters across 19 kilometres of Toronto between Mount Dennis (Weston Road) and Kennedy Station. The potential savings in time and aggravation for Toronto commuters tired of dragging their vehicles across the ever-congested 400-series highways will be huge. But for massive projects like this one to be successfully completed, one must sometimes think outside the box to find creative solutions to the challenges faced along the way.
In the case of the Oakwood Station project – the creation of underground station located at Oakwood Avenue and Eglinton Avenue, which is part of a 10-kilometre, underground portion of the Crosstown project – one creative solution for excavation and tunneling work came in the form of a 35-tonne capacity overhead crane standing 12 metres tall.
“At Oakwood [Station], the footprint of
the open pit is the footprint of the station, so there was no extra space for us to install a tower crane or a luffing crane, which is typically used on other construction sites,” explains Paula Oliveira, Oakwood Station project manager. “We had to find a creative solution and an overhead crane was the answer. It will provide us the load capacity we need, and it is easier for us to assemble and disassemble.”
The overhead crane was assembled on a pile wall above an open excavation – a first in Canada, Oliveira says, adding that this type of crane removes the problem of having to disassemble a gantry crane on top of an open excavation. This was the reason why the gantry crane option was discharged, a very similar type of crane and with most common use in this type of projects.
“Shortage of space was what led us to go with an overhead crane solution,” Oliveira says. “I believe it is a solution that builders will have to use in the future. As cities get more crowded, the available space to stage the
Work is ongoing at the future site for Oakwood Station.
Images: Crosslinx Transit Solutions.
The Unmistakable Power of Strongco
N ew Facility Superior Ser vice
INFRASTRUCTURE
Eglinton Crosstown project continued from page 14
construction facilities is less and also very expensive, we must optimize our resources and be creative.”
The overhead crane was designed, supplied and erected by CRS CraneSystems.
Hoist in a hurry
A Gantron hoist was purchased for the Oakwood Project’s overhead crane (as well as other Crosstown projects). CRS CraneSystems obtained the Gantron hoist from Coastal Pacific Crane, which manufacturers the hoists out of its plant in Surrey, B.C.
Jim Caldwell, president of CRS CraneSystems, says the Gantron hoists are primarily used to satisfy high hoisting speed requirements and long lifts; and that they offer the advantage of an express speed when there’s no load on the hook.
“Those units have 147 feet of lift height, true vertical lift, 30 feet per minute fully loaded with an express speed of 40 feet per minute,” he says.
Caldwell says the biggest challenge presented to CRS CraneSystems for this project was the relatively short turnaround time to fulfill the order.
“These were manufactured under a very short lead time,” he says. “They’re custom designed to suit this particular application and we managed to produce them in less than 12 weeks.”
Construction underway
The mining activities for the Oakwood Project will start January 2018. The crane was in full service in September 2017.
Oliveira expects that the overhead crane will be operational until it is taken out of commission sometime in 2020 in preparation for the final completion of the Eglinton Crosstown in Fall 2021.
For more information on the progression of the Eglinton Crosstown project, visit www.thecrosstown.ca/the-project.
New Fassi F395A xe-dynamic crane
he Fassi F395A xe-dynamic crane and the F395RA xe-dynamic models widen and complete Fassi Gru’s mid-range of cranes, coming in at the top of the range. These new cranes are available with rack and pinion (F395A) or fifth wheel (F395RA) rotation: the first is more wieldy, the second allows a complete 360° rotation. These new models come with the tried-and-tested FX500 control system, the D850 hydraulic distributor, the Fassi RCH/RCS radio remote control and FSC-S or FSC-H stability control.
On the Fassi F395A xe-dynamic, the rack has self-centering cast iron guide pads that guarantee a correct and constant coupling between the pinion and the rack itself, which avoids wearing down the teeth. The base and lower part of the column are made of cast steel for ideal stress distribution and superior strength; the absence of welding giving the crane a longer fatigue life. This crane will be available in different versions with a maximum of up to eight hydraulic extensions in the basic configuration and in two versions with a short secondary boom. To further increase the work area, various combinations with jibs are available to satisfy every need.
The Fassi F395RA xe-dynamic has continuous rotation on a doublecirculation fifth wheel bearing with motor reducer, a base with slots for fixing with tie-rods or for an integrated counter frame that allows the installation height to be contained.
On both models, the guide pads of the boom sections are “force” mounted to reduce vertical and lateral clearance for longer durability; hydraulically extendable outriggers are also available in the XL version, as well as a “C” version with a shorter secondary arm for an increased under-hook lifting height. Also for this model, there are versions available with a maximum of up to eight hydraulic extensions in the basic configuration, two versions with a short secondary arm and various combinations with jib.
The F395A xe-dynamic and Fassi F395RA xe-dynamic have a lifting capacity of 36.5 tm; maximum hydraulic outreach with jib of 26.7 m; and its overall dimensions are 2.51m (w) x 1.05m (l) x 2.46m (h). Additional features include: Dynamic version (.2) with connecting rod; XP device; double rod ProLink system; 400-degree rotation with rack and pinion (A); and continuous rotation on fifth wheel (RA).
Mini Cranes
Crane & Hoist Canada checks out some of the latest mini cranes available in the marketplace.
Mini-crawler cranes
Telescopic boom crawler crane
The Jekko SPK 60 Telescopic Boom Crawler Crane offers a maximum lift of 13,225 lb. and a maximum reach of 88’ 6”. It weighs 31,000 lb. and has dimensions of 18’ 9” (L) x 7’ 6” (W) x 8’ 10” (H).
The SPK 60 features a Yanmar 4TNV98CT-VPR 3.300cc/ Turbo Tier-4 motor; steel-framed safety glass on top, front, rear and right side of the operator to provide protection and full visibility; geotrack or steel extendable tracks for maximum lifting capacities and 360˚ pick and carry; a 6,615-lb. removable counterweight; 360-degree continuous rotation and a maximum boom angle of 75 degrees. www.jekkousa.com. Submitted by www.upanddown.ca.
SpyderCranes mini-crawler cranes are the latest innovation in the glazing, steel erection, and construction industries. Manufactured by Japan’s Furukawa UNIC Corporation and distributed by Alberta-based Chase Elevating Equipment Inc., SpyderCranes are engineered to offer versatility, maneuverability, and lifting capacity in a compact design that allows the operator maximum flexibility in confined areas. The smaller units can travel through a standard width door in
their stowed position, while other models can fit through a standard double door. www.spydercrane.com. Submitted by www.chaseee.com.
Jekko SPX312CP\SPX312C+ mini Cranes
Designed to be easily adapted to all types of environments, Jekko mini cranes are available in a wide variety of models. For indoor applications Jekko offers mini crane options that are compact enough to easily travel through single and double doors and between floors in elevators. They are also available in diesel, electric and battery powered options, and offer the highest standard of safety and lifting capacity. The SPX312CP\SPX312C+ Mini Cranes feature a 2,645lb. max lift capacity; 31 ft. maximum horizontal reach and 35 ft. maximum vertical reach. www.jekkousa.com. Submitted by www.leavittcranes.com.
Electro-hydraulic crane with rotating boom
The GB500 Electro-Hydraulic Crane with Rotating Boom from Gruniverpal Tranchero features an anti-tilting device that is electro-hydraulically controlled. It can drive at low voltage (12V), has a hydro-controlled dynamic brake system and hydro-controlled safety valves. The GB500 has a maximum load capacity of 1,100lb. The hook’s minimum height from the ground is 7.87 in. and the maximum height from the ground is 10 ft. 5.9 in.
www.gruniverpal.com.
Mini crawler crane
Maeda Mini Cranes’ CC1485-1 mini crawler crane has a maximum lift height of 72’ 2” and a 6.6-ton maximum capacity. It has a 8’ 2” body width and is built with an EPA Tier 4 Final Emissions certified Isuzu diesel engine. Standard features include: high visibility fully enclosed airconditioned cab, heater and defroster with front windshield and roof wipers; joy stick crane operation controls; low/high speeds on winch and travel; moment limiter digital load system with anti-two-block alarm, operator programmable Work Area Definition, 7-inch full colour screen with integrated rear view camera and engine/ crane performance monitoring system; pick and carry capability; and a powerful two-speed winch with low cable wrap auto-stop function. www.maedausa.com
Brandon 6 Electric Crane
It has 2 Wheel Drive/2 Wheel Brakes and is powered by a 24V battery. Optional accessories include glass lifter, forks, winch, jib, man basket, and panel and pipe manipulator (robot). Key features include that it fits through standard doorways and elevators; multiple attachments; and has a rated load limiter and on-board charger. This crane is manufactured in the U.S. www.baileycranes.com
Industrial carry deck crane
The IC-100-A is a self-propelled 10 US ton rated industrial carry deck crane designed for in-plant lifting and material handling applications. It is designed to incorporate the field proven features and demonstrated reliability of the Broderson IC-80 models with 10 US ton lift capacity and a longer boom.
www.bmccranes.com
Leavitt Cranes named Broderson dealer for B.C.
Leavitt Cranes has been appointed the Broderson dealer for British Columbia. Broderson Manufacturing Corp. stated that with numerous locations in the province, Leavitt Cranes is a natural fit and looks to build on past experiences with the Broderson Carry Deck Cranes. “It is now time for both companies to work together and support each other’s efforts in British Columbia. We at Broderson are excited to work with Leavitt directly to grow and expand both the Broderson and Leavitt brands,” said Jose Perez, export sales manager of Broderson Manufacturing Corp. “Leavitt Cranes has committed to stock inventory in their rental fleet to serve the province and we are excited to get these units up there and working out in the field.”
Indoor electric crane
ORMIG SpA have brought to the market a new indoor electric crane – model 55/60iE – specially for handling work in internal places and in reduced spaces condition. The maximum lifting capacity is 60 tonnes and it is powered by electric battery. The main features of this machinery are its short overall dimensions (2.35m (h) x 2.35m (w)) and 24 tonnes weight without counterweights. The steering radius is very limited because the crane rotates on itself thanks to two slewing bearing units positioned in the rear wheels and to a hydro-pneumatic suspensions system; in order to assure the most appropriate condition to the ground. The accuracy of the steering is obtained by kinematic mechanism, which is an Ormig patent. The boom extraction is proportional and it reaches 13.5m high, 8.5m outreach. It is possible to fit hydraulic and mechanical fly-jibs of various dimensions and length for the best operating performances. Ormig is represented in North America by Applied Machinery Services (www. appliedmach.com). www.ormig.com
Fassi acquires full ownership of Cranab
talian crane manufacturer Fassi has acquired 100 per cent ownership of Cranab. Fassi acquired partownership of Cranab in 2013 and has since then increased its ownership in the company, step by step. Fassi is the full owner of the Cranab Group, which consists of the companies Cranab, Vimek and Bracke Forest.
“Our ambition is to develop Cranab to become a crane supplier with a wider product range, in which truck-mounted timber and recycling cranes become new products,” says Giovanni Fassi, CEO of the Fassi Group. “The continuous development of off-road cranes for forest machines will further improve Cranab´s already strong position. With Slagkraft, Vimek and Bracke Forest we will fulfil the ambitious development plans we already have.”
Hans Eliasson leaves his position as chairman of the Cranab Group to Giovanni Fassi.
“I have had a long and exciting journey with Cranab over the last 45 years,” Eliasson said. “My definite opinion is that Cranab will have great opportunities in the future under Fassi ownership. Fassi´s ambitions are that Cranab will develop, produce and sell cranes that support and complement Fassi’s successful existing product range of cranes for cargo handling.”
Fassi is headquartered in Bergamo in northern Italy. The company started by installing cranes onto trucks and as an importer of Foco cranes from northern Sweden in early 1960s. The company is owned by the Fassi family and today has a strong position in the global market for truck loader cranes.
“In Fassi, Cranab are getting a long-term industrial owner with a focused leadership and a solid knowledge of the crane market,” says Anders Strömgren, CEO for the Cranab Group. “The most important synergies are that Cranab has products which complement those that Fassi already has, and that Fassi has a well-developed global dealership network through which our products can be distributed.”
Link-Belt introduces RTC-80160 Series II
ink-Belt Cranes is recently announced the RTC-80160 Series II, upgrading its previous 150ton rough terrain to a 160-ton (145-mt) model.
“The 80150 has been a phenomenal success ever since it was introduced and this new base rating will be good news to our distributors and crane owners. It only makes sense for us to upgrade the 80150 to represent the top base rating in the market with the RTC-80160 Series II,” said Brian Smoot, LinkBelt Rough Terrain Crane manager.
Link-Belt Cranes first introduced the world to
hydrostatic drive on a six-wheel carrier frame in 2002 with the RTC-80100 Series II. LinkBelt has evolved their product offering into three 6-wheel rough terrain models: RTC80110 Series II, RTC-80130 Series II, and now RTC-80160 Series II with hundreds of these units working across the globe. LinkBelt’s 6-wheel rough terrain cranes continue to be the market leaders and trusted option in applications that range from pier and dock work to refineries and industrial plants with their tight turning radius and reach, to wind farm maintenance with their strong charts and ease of travel.
(L to R): Anders Strömgren, CEO of Cranab Slagkraft; Hans Eliasson, outgoing chairman of Cranab Slagkraft; Giovanni Fassi, new chairman of Cranab Slagkraft; and Mats Ängquist, vice-president and chief financial officer of Cranab Slagkraft.
Photo courtesy of Fassi Group.
Richard Shultz named new Link-Belt vice-president of engineering
BY MATT JONES
entucky’s Link-Belt Cranes has named Richard Shultz as its new vice-president of engineering, effective Jan. 1, 2018. He succeeds Don Moore who is retiring after 40 years with the company. Shultz, who started with the company as an associate design engineer 27 years ago and most recently served as director of quality, says he plans to continue to work towards the same mandate and goals as his predecessor.
“The Link-Belt Cranes brand is well known in North America as a manufacturer of high quality, innovating lifting equipment,” says Shultz. “It’s my aim to work closely with our sales and marketing team to develop cranes that satisfy our customer’s needs and target market segments around the world. I also want to leverage the expertise of our parent company, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, in our efforts to provide products that are accepted in the global marketplace.”
A Kentucky native, Shultz was team leader for telescopic crane superstructure design and led a variety of development projects in the late 1990’s. Around the same time he also earned a master’s degree in business administration from Xavier University through Link-Belt’s continuing education program. In the 2000’s he was product design manager for rough terrain and hydroelectric cranes and supervisor for several teams. Under his term as director of quality, the company transitioned from ISO 9001:2008 standard to the 2015 certificate six months ahead of schedule.
Shultz says that Link-Belt uses the voice of the customer to drive new product development, and he will continue that trend.
“Listening to our customer has led to innovations like the Link-Belt
Pole System and modular counterweights for improved crane transportability,” says Shultz. “We’ll strive to meet customer demand by understanding the challenges they face on a daily basis. And the engineering team will also work in conjunction with our production team to continuously improve and refine our design concepts in order to fabricate and assemble cranes efficiently to the highest level of quality.”
Regarding the challenges he anticipates in his new position, Shultz notes the difficulty of meeting the evolving standards for emissions as well as crane industry regulation as a whole. He says the company must put in place long-range plans to ensure their products are in compliance with the standards of their markets.
“That’s always interesting,” says Shultz. “Emissions have been something that’s been a challenge to us over the past 10 years as we’ve gone through the successive off-highway tiers to get cleaner exhaust emissions
on cranes and other heavy equipment.”
Attracting the next generation Another key challenge will be recruiting the next generation of crane designers. Shultz says that cranes could appear to be a mature design field lacking in high-tech flair to young engineers, so he hopes the company can effectively communicate how intricate modern crane design can be, with multiple on-board computers, wireless data uploading and other newer technologies.
“We’ll continue to need engineers with mechanical and structural expertise as well as those with a computer and electrical engineering skillset to create and enhance the control and information networks on the crane,” says Shultz.
Link-Belt’s partnerships with local universities will be integral to attracting that new talent. Through co-op programs, students can gain experience working at Link-Belt part-time or full time during summers.
“They get to learn about cranes and the heavy equipment industry and it’s a good feeder system to get those people into our plant and working for us later as full-time employees,” says Shultz.
Perhaps the biggest challenge Shultz will face, however, will be filling the shoes of his predecessor, Don Moore.
“Don has been key to Link-Belt’s success in the crawler crane market segment for many years and he was instrumental in expansion of our product line to add the telescopic crawler cranes about five years ago,” says Shultz. “His extensive crane design experience and work with industry standards and with communities can’t be replaced. I hope to build on that strong foundation that he and my other predecessors established.”
Grove unveils new truck crane
rove recently unveiled its TMS9000-2 nextgeneration truck crane. The 100t (115 USt) capacity truck crane features a number of improvements over previous models. It’s lighter, which increases roadability and helps customers meet North American gross vehicle weight requirements; it has a longer boom, which increases reach and enables lifters to complete a wider variety of applications; and the crane is stronger, with best-in-class load charts for all counterweight configurations.
The TMS9000-2 is approximately 363 kg. (800 lb.) lighter than its predecessor, the TMS9000E. Its reduced, best-in-class gross vehicle weight enables a wider range of flexibility in carrying counterweight, cribbing and other items, which will help lifters optimize the crane for a variety of applications.
Though the TMS9000-2 is lighter, it’s boom length and capacity have both increased. The crane features a new, 51.6 m (169.3 ft.), six-section Megaform boom that utilizes Grove’s Twin-Lock pinning system. It’s a greaseless boom, which reduces maintenance for owners. The improved reach will enable customers to complete a wider variety of applications with the crane, but from a compact chassis [width: 2.6 m (8.5 ft); length: 13.4 m (43.8 ft)]. The crane will offer manual or hydraulic swingaways, along with additional inserts, to provide further reach options.
The crane is powered by a Cummins ISX12 powertrain, an on-highway, EPA-certified engine that features 336 kW (450 bhp) at 1800 rpm, and a maximum 2102 Nm (1550 lb-ft) torque. The TMS90002’s drivetrain, air suspension, brake and wheel systems are similar to those found on the TMS9000E. Customers now have the choice of a manual or an automated manual transmission.
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As of Jan. 1, 2018 Richard Shultz is Link-Belt Cranes’ new vice-president of engineering, succeeding Don Moore who is retiring after 40 years with the company.
