Flooding in British Columbia brings chaos — and work — to crane suppliers p. 14
Is overhead crane modernization right for you? p. 22
Dorothy King has found her calling as a tower crane operator p. 18
Preston
Removing
Overhead
The
BY BILL TREMBLAY
Let me know what you’re up to FROM THE EDITOR
As the new editor of Crane & Hoist Canada, I have a favour to ask.
Simply put; I want to hear from you.
Throughout my nearly 20 years in publishing, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that a good magazine relies heavily on two-way communication between its staff and its audience. Personally, I see a magazine as a community hub, and to properly reflect the community members, I need to engage with the readership. Crane & Hoist Canada is no different, as its really a celebration of the heavy lift industry.
So, if you’ve recently acquired another company, or you’re opening a new location, or even if you’ve hired a new team member, let us know so we can share the accomplishment. If you’re working on something interesting, invite us to your jobsite or even just tag us on Instagram.
followed with interest is the Rider Levett Bucknall Crane Index. The RLB Crane Index, which is published by the real estate consulting firm twice each year, tracks the number of operating tower cranes in 14 major cities across North America.
When I first came across the crane count in 2018, Toronto had more cranes than New York City and Los Angeles combined. As well, project like the Ring Road and the Calgary Cancer Centre ensured western Canada was on the radar of the North American crane index.
I couldn’t ask for a better time to jump into the role of editor for Crane & Hoist Canada
As of September, Toronto remained as the tower crane leader in 2021, with 225 cranes, an eight per cent increase compared to the first quarter of 2021, and an 81 per cent increase compared to the third quarter of 2020. Calgary held fifth place with 32 active tower cranes.
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And most importantly, if Crane & Hoist Canad a gets something wrong, let me know so we can correct the error.
While I’m new to Crane & Hoist Canada, I’m not unfamiliar with construction and the heavy lifting sector. The last four years or so of my career were spent as editor of a publication focused solely on the heavy equipment used in construction and mining. In fact, I may have already met a few of you at trade shows or on jobsites. In my previous role, one of the stories I
I know Canada ranking on the index isn’t exactly new information, but it’s still exciting. Currently, in my hometown of Mississauga, Ontario, it’s difficult to go anywhere without spotting at least one tower crane, let alone the countless mobile cranes and RTs, at work on jobsites.
Quite frankly, I couldn’t ask for a better time to jump into the role of editor for Crane & Hoist Canada
Feel free to email me at btremblay@ annexbusinessmedia.com or call or text at 437-220-3031.
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Dean Barley named Tadano America president and COO
Tadano America Corporation has announced Dean Barley is now the company’s president and chief operating officer.
Before the promotion, Barley was Tadano’s vice president of customer service and general manager for Latin America sales. He succeeds Ingo Schiller as the president of Tadano America Corporation. Along with this change, Shinichi Iimura, a veteran of Tadano who recently relocated from Tokyo to Houston, will become chairman and CEO.
“I am truly honoured to have the opportunity to follow Ingo in this role. He has been instrumental in developing Tadano America to the great company it is today and the Pan-America Region into the success that we are now enjoying,” Barley said.
Schiller will be taking on a new role within company headquarters, as chief marketing officer of Tadano Ltd. In his new role, Schiller will be responsible for all global marketing activities for the Tadano group of companies. He will also remain involved with the operations in the Pan-American region as a director of the United States entity that holds both Tadano America Corp. and Tadano Mantis Corp.
“I could not be happier with the news that Dean Barley will succeed me, as I know that he brings the right talents that will help the continued growth and success of the Pan-America team. He is the right person to take this business to the next level,” Schiller said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to help Tadano more directly on a global basis, to contribute in new ways with customer and stakeholder engagement around the world, bringing those voices back to the R&D teams, helping to grow this business in new ways with new products and new services.”
Barley has more than 30 years of experience in sales, aftermarket, engineering and manufacturing. He started his career as a service technician and engineer in the United Kingdom, work that took him across Europe, Africa and the Americas.
In 1996, he joined Terex, working there in a variety of capacities until two years ago. In 2014, Barley was asked to join Terex’s crane division and lead eight different businesses across the Americas. While responsible for all product lines, he transformed the overall business from focusing on acquisitions to
focusing on operating profitability. He initially joined Tadano following the acquisition of Demag to run Demag as a separate division, before working to fully integrate Demag cranes into Tadano’s portfolio.
Schiller joined Tadano America in 2016, becoming its president and CEO the following year. He has guided Tadano America through the integration of Demag Mobile Cranes into the company’s portfolio; expanded its line of hydraulic telescoping crawler cranes; and further expanding its crane model lineup for a diversifying market in the Americas.
Tim Gerhardt named managing director of Liebherr USA
Tim Gerhardt, an experienced executive within the Liebherr Group, has joined Liebherr USA as one of the new managing directors for the company’s United States operations.
Gerhardt shares Liebherr USA executive responsibilities with Kai Friedrich, managing director for Liebherr USA and divisional director for the construction equipment product segment in Newport News, Virginia.
“Working as managing director for Liebherr in the United States gives me the unique opportunity to develop the company to its next level after a successful launch in 2016,” Gerhardt said.
“It allows me to work in an interesting environment within one of Liebherr’s most important markets.”
The Liebherr USA mixed sales organization was created five years ago, leveraging the organization’s capabilities by creating a simple structure with broader reach. It serves as the umbrella company and includes the sales and services operations for nine product segments.
In his role, Gerhardt will be responsible for leading and overseeing the strategic development, communication and implementation of growth strategies for all corporate, finance and administrative functions integrated in the shared services at Liebherr USA.
Gerhardt has more than two decades of experience in the automotive industry and most recently served as managing director at Liebherr-Ettlingen GmbH remanufacturing centre. Prior to joining the Liebherr Group, he served as chief financial officer at MAN Truck & Bus, Middle East Africa from 2012 to 2016 and vice president of Sales Controlling in Munich, Germany from 2008 to 2011. He was senior manager controlling at BMW Group from 2001 to 2008 and senior in-house consultant, at Bosch Group from 1998 to 2001.
Gerhardt assumes the managing director role from Dr. Torben Reher who served Liebherr USA since its inception in 2016. After six years of leading the newly formed organization, Reher plans to return to Germany.
Link-Belt Cranes completes parts warehouse expansion
Link-Belt Cranes has finished a warehouse expansion that adds 60,000 square feet of new space to its Parts Distribution Center.
The expansion brings the total size of parts space to 132,000 square feet and represents a $9 million investment in the global headquarters of Link-Belt Cranes in Lexington, Kentucky.
“We are fortunate to have the ongoing, long-term support of our owners, SHI (Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.), who continue to invest in our business during these uncertain times,” said Link-Belt Cranes President and CEO Melvin Porter.
“Their strong belief in the Link-Belt brand and business unit provides our company the opportunity to expand at this scale and further improve our long-term strength in the global mobile crane market.”
Torben Reher, Liebherr USA managing director (right) with his successor Tim Gerhardt. PHOTO: LIEBHERR GROUP.
Dean Barley
Following its lean philosophy of a Plan For Every Part (PFEP), the new warehouse expansion optimizes space by considering all internal assembly components and their corresponding production function.
Construction was also completed on two new receiving bay doors at Link-Belt’s Parts Distribution Center in the fourth quarter of 2020. This was the initial step in consolidation of the receiving function for all inbound production and service parts.
“There are a lot of long-term benefits to this deep-dive into our parts warehouse – everything from where new parts are received, to how parts are counted and inventoried, to how that part makes its way to the production floor for assembly,” Porter said. “You want the right part, oriented properly and delivered at the right time to ensure higher quality and reliability of the finished product. The same is true for service parts delivery.”
New parts enter through one consolidated receiving location and are then scanned and counted for inventory. In the new production parts warehouse, there is storage capacity of 104,000 square feet.
Ontario dedicates $45 million to streamline housing construction
Ontario has announced more than $45 million for a new Streamline Development Approval Fund.
The money will be used to help Ontario’s 39 largest municipalities modernize, streamline and accelerate processes for managing and approving housing applications.
In January, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, met with mayors and regional chairs from Ontario’s largest municipalities to discuss housing and coordinate efforts to increase the supply of homes across the province.
The virtual summit provided provincial-municipal leaders with an opportunity to share best practices, identify persistent issues and collaborate on ways to build the right mix of housing.
“Young families, seniors and all hardworking Ontarians are desperate for housing that meets their needs and budget,” Ford said. “At a time when our province is growing, our government will continue to use every tool we have to help municipalities get more homes built faster to help more families realize the dream of home ownership.”
Municipalities can use the funding to implement online systems that make it easier for applicants to navigate the development approvals process, manage their applications and receive timely status updates.
“Today’s Summit was an important next step to identify what additional measures we can take to increase the supply of housing and make it easier for Ontarians and their families to find a home that meets their needs and budget,” Clark said. “As we continue this dialogue, our government will ensure municipalities have the tools and resources they need to unlock housing in every community across Ontario.”
The government also announced more than $8 million through the Audit and Accountability Fund to help large urban municipalities identify potential savings and efficiencies through third-party reviews to further accelerate the creation of new housing and modernize municipal services.
In a news release, the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) said it is encouraged the provincial government is taking a leadership role to help municipalities cut red tape and develop a data standard for planning and development applications.
“We are delighted that the government is moving to modernize and streamline the system and assist municipalities transition towards digital service delivery and approvals,” said RESCON president Richard Lyall.
“Municipalities need a standardized development approvals process and e-permitting system to help reduce the amount of time it takes to get housing projects approved in Ontario.
Erik Altena joins MyCrane
MyCrane has appointed Erik Altena as its head of strategic development, effective Feb. 1.
Altena entered the lifting industry after earning a master’s degree in Civil Engineering at the Delft University of Technology. Thereafter, he joined Mammoet at the company’s global headquarters in Utrecht, Netherlands, as a project engineer.
Recently, he was in Mammoet’s global market development and innovations department, working on technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to help the end-customer optimize crane utilization.
He also developed CraneFact, a device that uses smart sensors to track crane movements and the utilization of heavy equipment on site.
Altena joins MyCrane to focus on the strategic development of the company’s global partnerships, including franchises. He will work on new products and services, and coordinate MyCrane’s cooperation with other start-ups innovating in the crane industry.
MyCrane has also hired Alan Faulds as managing director in the UAE and Oman; Igor Dobrovolskiy as managing director in Russia; and Alexander Kouklev as business development director for the Far East of Russia and Asia-Pacific (APAC).
“Alongside growing our global network by appointing franchise holders to operate our service, Mycrane is investing in our core team to grow our portfolio and introduce new products and services, said founder Andrei Geikalo. “Our new appointments will help us to do exactly that. I am delighted to welcome such highly experienced professionals to the MyCrane family, all of whom share my passion for digitalizing the crane rental business.”
Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, met with big city mayors and regional chairs to discuss housing. PHOTO: PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
Erik Altena
Canada’s construction sector gets a lift
Preston Rentals brings retractable loading platform system to Canada
By Andrew Snook
Awell-known and respected rental company has opened in Canada, expanding their global operations further into North America.
Their arrival has already made an impact improving efficiencies and safety on construction projects across Canada.
For more than 50 years, Preston Rentals Group has been supplying equipment to the construction sector. The business began in the scaffolding and steel industry before getting into services related to building materials handling and introducing the globally recognized and used SuperDeck Retractable Loading Platform System. These unique loading platforms were introduced in Australia about 25 years ago, but only recently arrived in Canada.
“The Preston SuperDeck system has been used throughout Australia for decades before later expanding into the U.S. in the mid-2000s, then into New Zealand around 2016, and started arriving in Canada in 2020,” said Mark Casey, general manager for Preston Rentals’ Canadian operations, headquartered in Vancouver. “It’s caught on quickly with some major players. Because there’s such a big market in Canada, it made sense to make a Canadian entity, rather than get equipment in from U.S.”
The SuperDeck system is designed for quick installation and relocation, taking about 15 minutes to install, which is significant time savings compared to many conventional outrigger loading platforms, Casey said.
The load reactions are distributed vertically as the SuperDeck system is an integral part of the building, which creates one self-supporting structure. Each floor supports the other floors. These units allow for minimized crane movement as materials are delivered to one point on the building. This allows for improved labour efficiencies for crane crews, riggers and ironworkers. It also allows for safer and quicker loading and unloading of materials.
The SuperDeck platforms vary in size from 2.2 metres, 2.6 metres, 3.2 metres and 4.2 metres-wide, allowing for a range of bulky materials to be deposited safely. The maximum capacity range for SuperDeck range from 2.5 tonnes to 5 tonnes.
“The reason for the different sizes is to accommodate different clients on different projects. It offers an advantage because we can give a client a 4.2-metre platform on one site, and then another client might only need a 2.2-metre platform, because they’re working on a smaller building or maybe a ship. It just gives them variety,” Casey said.
Preston Rentals chose to offer these units on a rental basis instead of purchase to ensure they could provide their clients with the right equipment for every project.
“We provide the flexibility of giving our clients the right product every time,” Casey said. “The cost to purchase and maintain the equipment is all on us. Inspections are all done in our yard. There’s no guessing, we do a full pre-delivery and return checklist for every SuperDeck to ensure quality, safety and reliability is always delivered.”
The SuperDecks have been used on a wide variety of projects including building towers, ships, underground tunnels, reinforced concrete buildings, structural steel buildings, mass timber and CLT buildings.
“On any construction site we can put these platforms in,” Casey said. “For us, it’s all about making things safer and more efficient for our clients so they get more productivity out of their equipment and workers.”
The units are designed to be simple to understand so training is as efficient as possible.
“Training is very minimal. You’re probably looking at 30 minutes of training then they know the ins and outs of the decks,” Casey said.
They feature multiple safety features including adjustable ramps, locking systems within the decks and harness anchor points.
Casey explained riggers are particularly fond of the SuperDecks.
“The feedback from the guys on the ground is they love them,” he said. “They take them 15 minutes to install compared to an hour for a conventional outrigger loading platform. When time is money, this is a significant benefit.”
Casey added Preston Rentals is ready to service all sizes of clients.
“Big or small, we service everyone. We currently have clients in B.C., including Vancouver Island, Alberta and Ontario, and we’re getting interest as far away as Newfoundland. We’re literally going coast to coast,” he said.
One of the driving factors for bringing these outrigger loading platforms to Canada was to help change the way the industry views its material handling procedures.
“We’re just trying to change the way the industry is thinking about its material handling and provide them with a better option then what’s out there. We’re all about innovation and solutions for whatever our clients throw at us,” Casey said.
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The pedestrian bridge was located close to where the Gardiner becomes the Don Valley Parkway. Working in a tight space between the overpass and the channel, safety and equipment maneuverability were key.
“The (rough terrain cranes) make it a breeze when you’re working in areas like that,” Rands said. “I could have put a truck mount in but doing so takes longer to set up. With the RT, you just set the boom. Lift the outriggers and you move it.”
He added the rough terrain crane’s 10-foot width and 27-foot length, as well as various steering configurations, simplified navigating the site.
“Those RTs are great because they’re so small and versatile and they can go on any project,” Rands said.
On uneven ground
The site also required Priestly to account for constantly changing grounds conditions while lifting.
“The RT is good for uneven ground conditions. We had to put mats in when we were working about 12 feet away from the edge of the water,” Rands said. “And we did a 3D lift plan to make sure the weights were fine for the quadrant swinging over the front.”
The Link-Belt 8090 features a pin-and-latching telescopic system capable of lifting 90-tons at 8 feet. The standard boom ranges from 38 to 140 feet, while attachment options extend the reach by 58 feet.
Priestly purchased the Link-Belt 8090 about four years ago, and it is currently the only rough terrain crane in the company’s fleet. Rands expects to add more RTCs to the Priestly fleet soon.
“They are versatile, and they are good for long duration projects. And that’s what we’re chasing right now,” Rands said.
Priestly Demolition used its Link-Belt 8090 Rough Terrain Crane to help remove a pedestrian bridge that spanned the Keating Channel in east Toronto.
Four days of intense rain created havoc for B.C.’s transportation network, and Sarens crews helped remove and replace Nicomen Bridge.
B.C. flooding brings chaos — and work — to crane suppliers
By Saul Chernos
Roy Nelson and his Sarens Canada crew had completed a tower crane installation at a bridge construction site in Golden, B.C. when some of the most extreme weather the province has ever experienced interrupted their plans to dismantle and return home.
Four days of intense rain this past November resulted in arguably the worst
flooding ever seen in southern B.C., decimating the region’s transportation network, wreaking havoc across much of the province, and leaving some cranes completely stranded, even while others worked overtime to help restore order.
In the province’s more northerly reaches, the storm brought blizzard conditions, dumping more than two feet of snow in less
than 24 hours. While the roads in Golden were cleared quickly enough, the route home to Surrey in the Lower Mainland was washed out by raging creeks and massive landslides. Nelson, the crew’s crane and rigging supervisor, was pondering travel options when the provincial transportation ministry issued a call for help, and he offered assistance with the company’s Liebherr LTM 1400 all-terrain crane.
“Within a day we were mobilizing up to repair Nicomen Bridge,” Nelson said, describing Nicomen First Nation’s sole link to the outside world cut off when a rapidly rising tributary of the Thompson River eroded the 150-foot-long bridge’s supporting embankments.
“One side of the road just disappeared,” Nelson said. “With one side washed away, the bridge just dropped into the creek.” Nelson and his crew helped remove the bridge’s concrete panels, girders and piers piece by piece. Then, with roads open to nearby centres such as Cache Creek and Kamloops, components for a new bridge were soon on hand. Matting and other essentials were also readily available, as was
PHOTO: SARENS CANADA
motel accommodation. And, with Kamloops airport open, Sarens was able to rotate personnel and keep its all-terrain crane in action until bridge access was restored three weeks later.
A reinvigorated Sarens team then drove further south to a section of Highway 1 demolished by rising waters at Falls Creek.
“A little stream washed out a whole section of road and rail — everything,” Nelson said. “I’d never seen anything like that before.”
Working in blizzard conditions, with avalanches shutting roads from time to time, crews set about building a temporary bridge to effectively raise the stretch of highway to higher, drier ground while the province develops a long-term plan.
Nelson describes the LTM 1400, with 500 tonne lifting capacity, as well suited for bridge work. While the loads themselves were less than one-fifth of the actual capacity, the crane’s utility lay in its reach in a challenging environment.
While the two job sites were along relatively isolated stretches, crews used satellite-based Wi-Fi to maintain consistent internet contact with engineers and other colleagues. Nelson explained crews had no difficulty undertaking all the usual safety and pre-engineering measures, retrieving archival data and drawings as needed.
With Nicomen Bridge, the project team reviewed data from the old bridge, and with both bridges they took measurements and collectively determined factors such as weights, reaches and angles.
“In all honesty, that was really easy,” Nelson said. “Our engineers stepped in, worked with the ministry, and drew everything up really quickly.”
Intense flooding
Down south in Abbotsford, where flooding was particularly intense, Eagle West Crane & Rigging also kept busy. Business development manager Steve Anema said access was so hampered that operators living in nearby Chilliwack were unable to get to work and the company had to reschedule jobs so it could deploy personnel and equipment for emergency work.
One line of Eagle West’s business is supplying and installing concrete road barriers, and Anema said these were needed along the Coquihalla Highway, where some barriers were damaged and where sections had to be narrowed or even relocated due to landslides and washouts.
The company used Hiab 477 47-tonne-capacity folding cranes to manouvre barriers into place. “That was a big component of our work, to help contractors get the roads situated back for public travel,” Anema said.
On one section of the Coquihalla, Eagle West crews used a 270-tonne-capacity Liebherr LTM 1220 hydraulic crane to assemble deck panels and other bridge components during a rebuild that lasted nearly two weeks. The lifts themselves weren’t technically challenging. Rather, it was the significant snowfalls as the project carried on.
“The idea was to try to get ahead of the weather,” Anema said.
In Langley, RKM Crane Services was close to some of the worst flooding. While the company has nearly 30 all-terrain cranes and boom trucks suited to hoisting bridge components and debris, it was unable to partake in initial access restoration work because the town was surrounded by rising waters.
“We were handcuffed and landlocked because you obviously needed to get to a bridge in order to repair it,” said RKM general manager Matthew Blackwell.
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As access opened, RKM was to able to get into the thick of restoration work.
“We’re part of a larger group that also does construction, so we’ve done a lot of work in the Lower Mainland with some temporary bridges and other installations to get the highways opened again,” Blackwell said. “Road building isn’t really where our market is, but helping to put in temporary bridges, girders, abutments and new decks is a big part of what we do.”
RKM crews used two LTM 1400 Liebherr 500-tonne mobile all-terrain cranes to remove entire bridge sections, and various mobile cranes to reset bridge girders and beams. “Once the girders are in, they would either put temporary concrete deck panels on the top or put a full concrete pour over the top of the bridge,” Blackwell explained.
A giant swimming pool
While the emergency work kept many crane service providers busy, the flooding wrought havoc with more routine jobs scheduled many months in advance. RKM had already parked mobile cranes at a tower crane install at a condo project in Chilliwack, but the two-storey excavation was filled to the brim when crews arrived to begin hoisting.
“The job site was basically a giant swimming pool,” Blackwell said. When the rainfall subsided, the construction team pumped the excavation out, made sure the shotcrete lining the excavation walls was intact and safe, and crews erected the tower crane.
Ryan Burton, managing director with Bigfoot Crane Company in Abbotsford, reported similar situations with excavations so badly deluged that shotcrete applied prior to the flooding could no
Sarens Canada crews used multiple cranes, including an LTM 1400 all terrain, to help install a bridge just outside Golden BC before November’s storm surge shut down the province’s southern reaches and hampered access home. PHOTO: SARENS CANADA
CRANE ROPE CENTRES
longer be trusted to keep wall surfaces anchored and stable.
“They had lots of repair work to do before we could come in and set up our tower cranes,” Burton said.
Ironically, the various delays proved a mixed blessing for Bigfoot, as the company had been falling behind in its own scheduling due to stranded equipment and personnel.
“I’ve never seen rain like this in my life,” Burton said. “They called these atmospheric rivers, and it was literally like a river of water coming down. Some people were going up and down the freeway in their boats.”
The transportation infrastructure outages also exacerbated ongoing supply chain issues, adversely impacting crane activities that depended on supplies arriving on time. Quesnel-based AllWest Crane & Rigging operations assistant Kevin Sargent said some projects at paper mills and gold mines were delayed because machinery and other equipment All-West would be installing was sitting in Vancouver.
“It’s not just one customer that’s been affected,” Sargent said. “It’s a trickle-down effect that starts in one place and keeps rolling.”
While the undertaking to restore access was significant on its own, the looming infrastructure rebuild stands to be enormous because the province wants tighter standards as severe weather becomes increasingly commonplace.
Record-setting rebuilds
Ian Pilkington, chief engineer with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, said he anticipates the longer-term rebuild of roads, bridges and rail will likely be one of the province’s biggest infrastructure builds ever, with costs potentially into the billions of dollars.
“We just had a huge event a couple of years ago in the Caribou, with probably more than $100 million worth of work, but this one is pretty huge,” Pilkington said. “I’m thinking, once the final bill comes up, that this will be probably our biggest rebuild.”
Pilkington said tendering and procurement could begin as early as this spring, but it’s difficult to put an exact timeframe on longer-term rebuilding because of potential further weather-related disruptions, including a strong springtime mountaintop snowpack melt.
As well, Pilkington said longer-term rebuilding requires considerable planning and engineering to address anticipated climate change expectations, and his ministry has been working with Engineers Canada and Natural Resources Canada in efforts to develop risk assessments and analyses that are forward looking and anticipatory.
“We’ve learned we can no longer rely on historical data,” Pilkington said. “We have to look at ‘future’ data our designers can use to help account for climate change.”
Eagle West Crane & Rigging places barriers on the Coquihalla Highway in British Columbia. PHOTO: EAGLE WEST CRANE & RIGGING
Rising genderabove roles
Dorothy King has found her calling as a tower crane operator
By Bill Tremblay
When Dorothy King arrived for her first assignment as a tower crane operator, she was asked if she was onsite to work in the office.
“I said ‘yeah, the office in the sky’,” King said, noting her coworkers didn’t believe her until she began climbing the crane. “I think it shocked some people, but it doesn’t shock them anymore. It’s somewhat normal to the guys I work with now.”
Seeking a job in the trades, Dorothy King found a career as a tower crane operator.
For King, working in a male dominated industry has always been a career goal.
“I always wanted to do something that you wouldn’t typically see a woman doing,” King said.
Before becoming a crane operator, King worked in a diesel engine repair shop. Although automotive work is one of her hobbies, she wasn’t interested in pursuing it as a career. However, the shop had a pair of yard cranes, which sparked an interest in crane operation.
“I wanted something that was challenging and different,” King said. “I knew I wanted to get into the trades. The trades will never die, there’s always something going on in the trades.”
So, she found the union hall representing crane operators (IOUE Local 793), wrote an aptitude test and began her wait for an apprenticeship.
“Normally, they would only bring in apprentices at the beginning of the year. At the time, it was September, so I had quite a bit of time to wait,” King said. “I kept calling them and bugging them asking ‘when are you going to bring me in?’”
In early 2018, she was called in for an interview, completed two weeks of training and began her apprenticeship. Fortunately, King was able to spend time working as a rigger, as well as an operator, during her apprenticeship.
“I got pretty lucky with the site that I was on; they were pretty flexible. But I did spend my fair share of time on the ground as a rigger. It was all a learning experience, King said. “I had some foremen tell me I’m a pain in the ass. I’d always be asking ‘can I go up today?’ I wanted to be up there more than I wanted to be on the ground.”
King received her operator’s license in February 2020. Her first job as a crane operator was on the team assigned to build a new police station in Barrie, Ontario.
“It was a two-crane site, and only a fivestory building, so it was a good introduction into construction, and it let me get my feet in the dirt a little bit,” King said.
Her second jobsite was The Well, a seven-building, mixed-use development in downtown Toronto.
“The Well was an eight-crane jobsite,” King said. “It was crazy to go from two cranes to eight cranes. But at the end of the day, I operated every single one of them,
“The trades will never die, there’s always something going on in the trades.”
which I appreciated. I was able to broaden my knowledge on each crane.”
In her two years as an operator, King has yet to meet another woman working in the trade. While most people on site treat her as equal, a few men onsite are vocally skeptical.
“You get the old school guys who are like ‘I don’t know about this’,” she said.
Her solution is to challenge her critics, with an “If you don’t want me doing it, you’re welcome to do it” response.
“People might not like that you’re doing it, but at the end of the day, they won’t do it,” King said.
“People have a lot to say until they’re being put in the spotlight to do it them-
selves. Then, it’s tail between their legs.”
Her advice to other women in construction is to keep their head up and continue to push forward.
“People will say negative stuff. But at the end of the day, they won’t climb up there,” she said. “You learn to ignore what’s not important.”
She added her work as an operator speaks for itself.
“Not to brag, but I’m running the tallest crane on my (current) site,” King said.
While she hears the occasional smack talk, seeing a new development rise from the ground up delivers an unwavering sense of pride.
“You feel accomplished. It’s like ‘wow, I did this’,” she said. “And I just like climbing up every day and literally being on top of everything. I wouldn’t say it’s a rush, but it’s different.”
Women in Construction
To promote construction as a career path for women, and help them thrive in the industry, Crane & Hoist Canada and seven other Canadian construction magazines have joined forces to host the virtual event Women in Construction on March 10, 2022. The editorial teams have put together an impressive lineup of panelists, including Laura Hutt, founder of Women in Steel Toes (WIST). Hutt explained Canada’s construction industry is creating numerous initiatives to help welcome women to the trades.
“We’re seeing a lot more of a push for diversity and inclusion programs, and even programs directed at hiring and training women specifically,” Hutt said. “Getting past the initial step of hiring more women, I think we still have some internal work to do within our industry to help cut out some of the biases and negative stereotypes.”
While more women see construction as a possible career choice, Hutt would like to see more initiatives to create a more welcoming industry.
“I think we’re definitely growing positive awareness, but there are still a lot of things we can do better at to advertise to a more diverse population and make the industry more personable,” Hutt said. “Something as simple as finding proper workwear can still be a challenge.”
Dorothy King is currently operating this Comedil CTT 331-16 at a condominium project in downtown Toronto.
OVERHEAD CRANES
Time for a refresh
Overhead crane modernization can help boost safety as well as productivity
By Bill Tremblay
Overhead crane modernization is increasing in popularity, as equipment owners look for the latest features, without the cost of a complete replacement.
Foad Sabet, president of Canadian Crane in Barrie, Ont., explained the company tackles two types of modernization: simple modernization and complete crane overhauls. Simple modernization, which may
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include upgrading to radio remote control or frequency drives, has increased in popularity in the last three or four years.
“Definitely we’ve seen an upswing,” Sabet said. “A lot of people like radio control. It’s an easier way to control a crane more safely.”
In the last decade, the price of radio remote controls has dropped. Combined with improved safety, it’s a feature that’s in demand for overhead crane owners.
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Adding capacity
Modernization may also be the answer for a growing business that needs more capacity on its crane.
“Perhaps the nature of their business has changed, and the 5-ton crane now needs to be 7.5 ton or 10 ton to facilitate a new process,” Phelan explained.
Modernization also contributes to productivity and can avoid possible costly downtime if a repair is required. While a crane built in the last decade will likely have parts and service expertise readily available, that’s not the case for older machines.
“The wireless system just gives you a lot more safety. The operator can be stationed anywhere,” Sabet said. “The operator doesn’t have to be tethered to the crane or near the load.”
Crane * Rigging * Construction * Heavy Haul * Oversize * Aerospace
Convenience is another feature offered by radio remote controls, as the system improves ease of use.
“It’s like having keyless access to your car. We used to unlock our doors manually, but once you’ve had a keyless system, it’s just a lot easier,” Sabet said.
Commodity pricing is another reason why modernization is gaining traction, according to Andrew Phelan, vice president of sales at Hoisting Ltd. in Nisku, Alberta.
“Our steel prices nearly doubled throughout the course of 2021. And they are maintaining that price point into 2022,” he said.
Like most industries, Phelan added overhead cranes are also experiencing supply chain issues.
“To start fresh, you are looking at a substantial lead time, and perhaps a much bigger price point than has been historically acceptable to the market,” he said.
“If you’re looking at something built in the 1990s, you could be waiting 12 weeks for a part to come in,” Phelan said.
Feasibility
While modernization may help improve safety and boost production, some overhead cranes are just not suitable candidates for an overhaul. If the modernization cost exceeds 65 to 70 per cent of the cost of a new crane, Phelan explained the process is no longer an option.
“If everything requires substantial rework or rebuild to the point that it’s not economic feasibility, it doesn’t make sense,” Phelan said. “If it’s going to cost you more to modernize, we’re not going to do it.”
Whether or not modernization is feasible is also dependent on the application and requirements of the client.
“If they have something that just wouldn’t perform even with an upgraded hoist,
Canadian Crane, based in Barrie, Ont., performs simple overhead crane modernizations, as well as complete overhauls. PHOTO: CANADIAN CRANE
PHOTO: CANADIAN CRANE
“We can move the piece of equipment into the 21st century, so you’re operating something that’s safe, modern and you have a maintenance company that’s familiar with it”
you’re throwing good money after bad,” Sabet said. But if you have something with good bones and needs a new hoist or new controls, then we would offer that option.”
Some overhead crane modernizations may also equal a shorter lead time, according to Phelan.
“There’s less engineering associated and we’re not fabricating a new steel structure,” he said. “We’re just swapping like-for-like or like for an upgrade within the engineer’s tolerance.”
A complete crane rebuild, however, may require more downtime than installing a new crane, depending on the machinery and the facility.
“You need to do all the work onsite. A new crane may equal one or two days on site. A big modernization overhaul could be a week or two weeks on site,” Sabet said.
A large-scale rebuild is a technical and timely process and may cause too much disruption to productivity.
“It depends upon the application, the client’s budget, the ability to have downtime and access into their bay,” Sabet said.
One of Canadian Crane’s clients required wheel upgrades on an overhead crane but could not afford the time needed to disconnect the production line’s multiple cranes.
“So, we took it down and brought it to our facility to do the modernization. Then we took it back and reinstalled it,” Sabet said.
“That was easier for them, instead of tying up the cranes for a week to get all the work done. It’s safer for us as well.”
To determine feasibility, the process usually begins with a client meeting to determine need. An engineer will also examine the crane to ensure the crane’s structure is suitable for modernization.
“When we know how far the client wants to go, we can do a feasibility study to see if modernization is more cost effective than purchasing a new crane,” Sabet said.
The goal is always the same: increase safety, increase productivity and improve the bottom line of the facility.
“We can move the piece of equipment into the 21st century, so you’re operating something that’s safe, modern and you have a maintenance company that’s familiar with it,” Phelan said.
Liebherr’s new 1300-6.3 sets a world record
The LTM 1300-6.3 is designed to be used as a fast-erecting crane with a high capacity at great hoist heights with a raised boom.
The new 300-tonne, six-axle, 13006.3 from Liebherr can travel with its complete 90-metre telescopic boom on public roads.
This capability sets a new world record for Liebherr, as it’s the first mobile crane to be able to carry a 90-metre telescopic boom with an axle load of just 12 tonnes.
The LTM 1300-6.3 is designed to be used as a fast-erecting crane with high capacity at great hoist heights with a raised boom. This makes it ideal for erecting tower cranes or for wind turbine maintenance work.
As well, Liebherr made it possible to drive the LTM 1300-6.3 with different axle loads and gross weights, to ensure that it can be driven worldwide. Components — including the telescopic boom and outriggers — can be installed or removed to achieve axle loads of less than 12 tonnes.
The tele-separation feature enables individual telescopic sections to be removed quickly. This makes it straightforward to set up the crane for the road with a gross weight of less than 60 tonnes and axle loads of under 10 tonnes. Liebherr can also deliver a self-assembly solution that enables the telescopic sections to be removed without the need for an auxiliary crane.
Record-breaking boom
The 90-metre length is achieved by using an eight-section telescopic boom, including the pivot section plus seven telescopic
sections. To ensure the complete boom, as well as all outriggers and hook block, can be carried on public roads with an axle load of 12 tonnes, Liebherr optimized the entire design of the crane for lightweight construction.
Although the LTM 1300-6.3 is not designed for use as a luffing jib, it has a wide range of lattice jibs available, including a 11.5 to 20 metre double folding jib, two 7 metre lattice sections to extend the telescopic boom, a 39-metre fixed jib and a 43 metre hydraulically adjustable fixed jib. The options enable the new 300 tonne crane to reach hoist heights of up to 120 metres.
Wind speed load charts
Load charts for various wind speeds are available for the LTM 1300-6.3. They deliver enhanced safety and longer operating times for crane work in windy conditions. To ensure work can continue safely in even higher wind speeds, Liebherr has calculated the load charts for additional maximum wind speeds and programmed them in the crane control system. For the LTM 1300-6.3, for example, it is 11.2 m/s, or even 13.4 m/s when using lattice equipment. In pure telescope mode, the tables even allow for a speed of 15.6 m/s. If the wind speed measured on the crane’s boom during a job exceeds the set chart wind speed, the crane operator can simply switch to a load chart with a higher max-
imum wind speed, which will often allow the job to continued.
An eight-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine delivers 619 bhp and 2,263 foot-pounds of torque. The power is transferred to the crane axles by the 12-speed ZF TraXon torque gearbox, and a torque converter ensures ideal manoeuvring. The additional ECOdrive mode delivers enhanced drive properties, which both save fuel and reduce noise.
Liebherr has continued its single-engine strategy on the new LTM 1300-6.3 with a mechanical power unit for the superstructure. The weight reduction created by removing the superstructure engine has been used to deliver a longer boom and more ballast with an axle load of 12 tonnes. ECOmode in crane operation helps to reduce fuel consumption and noise emissions. The complete pump drive is disconnected automatically when the engine is idling and then reconnected by the intelligent controller in a matter of seconds when required.
The LTM 1300-6.3 can be operated with two different ballast radii: 4.94 metres or 5.94 metres. The ballast radius can be reduced quickly by one metre using standard mechanically adjusted ballasting cylinders. This solution is one of the main benefits of the new 300-tonne model when used in constricted conditions.
With its VarioBallast feature, the new crane can be operated with 8 tonnes less ballast compared to the LTM 1300-6.2 without any significant reduction of its lifting capacity. That reduces both transport logistics and carbon dioxide emissions.
Auto-ballast
A single touch of a button secures the ballast to the turntable. This feature takes the strain off the crane operator as the automatic ballasting process is simple, fast and convenient. In addition, safety is also enhanced, particularly for routine procedures.
The maximum ballast on the LTM 13006.3 is 88 tonnes. The 10 tonne suspended ballast blocks on the right and left are compatible with the LTM 1230-5.1 and LTM 1250-5.1 crane models. As well, Liebherr modified individual ballast slabs to reduce weight and dimensions to make them suitable for economical transport and fast set up on site.
All the ballast can be placed on the crane with five hoists. The basic 42-tonne ballast has a width of 3 metres, which means it fits within the overall width of the vehicle. This makes it significantly easier to move the fully set-up crane on constricted sites.
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Wolffkran introduces the 8076 Compact
The 8076 Compact is the first 800-metric-tonne range trolley jib crane in the Wolff lineup.
PHOTO: WOLFFKRAN
To address an increase in prefabricated construction, Wolffkran is introducing the new Wolff 8076 Compact.
As the first 800-tonne range trolley jib crane in the Wolff lineup, the crane features a maximum jib radius of 80 metres.
“We wanted to design a large yet economical crane and get the maximum capacity out of the steel structure. That’s why we opted for a low-top design, which we call Compact,” said Wouter
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van Loon, product manager at Wolffkran.
Despite a tower top about 10 metres lower than a Wolff Cross model, the 8076 Compact offers a maximum lifting capacity of 40 tonnes and a tip load capacity of 8.4 tonnes at 80 metres.
The crane also features the new four-chord design of the first three jib sections instead of the usual three-chord design.
“This allowed us to optimize the transfer of forces along the jib and reduce individual component weights, resulting in around 40 per cent higher lifting capacity than with the three-chord design,” van Loon said.
The Wolff 8076 Compact connects to the 2.9 x 2.9-metre TV 29 tower system. Combined with the next-largest Wolff TV 33 tower system, a freestanding height of up 100 metres can be achieved – a time-saving and
economical solution for high-rise buildings or bridge projects where tie-ins are not possible. The proven and powerful 132-kW HW 40132 FU hoist winch allows for operating speeds of up to 95 metres per minute. At maximum load, the Compact is still capable of lifting 40 tonnes at 17 metres per minute.
The jib of the Wolff 8076 Compact can be extended from 30 to 80 metres in 5-metre increments. A hoist rope support on the jib reduces rope slack from 10 to only 1.5 metres, lowering the risk of another crane getting caught in the hoist rope when slewing. The counter jib can be shortened from 30.3 to 22.3 metres, depending on the maximum jib radius.
Bronto Skylift adds new control system to high-rise range
Bronto Skylift has equipped its HLA-range of aerial platforms with a new control system.
The HLA-range, Bronto Skylift’s flagship product line, is equipped with the Bronto+ control system.
The HLA-range has featured a third generation Bronto3+ control system but is now upgraded to the latest and most advanced control system, the 5th generation Bronto5+.
For operators, the Bronto5+ control system means faster levelling, easier control of working lights, light groups and cage load, bigger displays with better visibility even in sunlight, easier navigation, more chassis information available on screens, integrated help texts and quick manuals, as well as resistive touch screens.
For the firefighting sector, Bronto Skylift also incorporated an integrated fire pump screen with improved possibilities to operate the pump.
One of the important features enabled by the Bronto5+ is Bronto’s fleet management tool Skyliftfleet. Thanks to the latest technology, the units will send all operational data to the Skyliftfleet portal, where owners, operators, fleet managers and service can easily check and optimize daily usage, performance and plan preventive maintenance cycles.
As the units traditionally have a long lifespan and several owners, it is a crucial safety factor that the service history is transparent throughout the lifecycle. Skyliftfleet stores the service history in one place. As well, all important manuals and other information about each unit is stored in Skyliftfleet for easy access. The much-liked remote service capabilities will remain the same but use the latest technology. Service personnel can log on to the unit and do various fault finding, calibration and other tasks as before. This is naturally crucial when operating in a fire scene, but equally important for the industrial access sector, where high-rise HLA’s are often used on windfarms in very remote locations.
The HLA range ensures efficient and safe high-rise rescue and firefighting, as well as industrial operations with extremely challenging high-rise installations like antennas, multi-storey buildings or windfarms. Due to the latest update, they are better equipped to serve and respond to modern day demands.
Gorbel introduces new hybrid workstation crane
Gorbel’s new hybrid workstation crane allows for multiple higher capacity bridges to be utilized on a single crane.
Bronto Skylift has introduced the Bronto5+ control system.
PHOTO: BRONTO SKYLIFT
PHOTO: GORBEL
Gorbel is introducing its new hybrid workstation crane, an extension of the company’s enclosed track workstation crane.
The hybrid crane combines the strength of Gorbel’s patented track with the lightweight advantages of Gorbel’s aluminum enclosed track bridges.
Utilizing these two features together allows for greater installation flexibility to meet longer support centres. The combination also allows for multiple higher capacity bridges to be utilized on a single crane, with no buffers.
“Gorbel has been custom configuring hybrid cranes for years and now we’ve utilized that experience to optimize and standardize the solution for our customers,” said Scott Goforth, product marketing manager at Gorbel.
“This solution fits a unique, but growing niche we are seeing in the industry, and we are extremely excited to bring another innovative product to the market that will expand our capability to meet the high standards our customers have come to expect from Gorbel.”
The hybrid workstation crane includes support centres of up to 15.25 metres.
With extended support centres, there’s fewer floor obstructions. This means an easier installation and more flexibility in the location of your install.
Utilizing Gorbel’s Tarca supports and runways allow the end user to support multiple 1000# to 4000# work station crane bridges, without buffers, on a single free standing or ceiling mounted crane system. One hybrid crane can support multiple workstations or an entire process flow without losing usable crane coverage area to buffers.
As well, the hybrid crane is optimized for easy manual movement with a custom motorized solution available.
MacGregor debuts electrically driven heavy lift crane
MACGREGOR
To support its customers with more environmentally sustainable products and solutions, MacGregor has introduced the electrically driven heavy lift crane (HCE).
The new heavy lift crane is a result of combining MacGregor and NMF’s experience in the heavy lift industry. Both design philosophies were examined in detail, with the best elements combined to develop a crane that covers lifting capacity up to a safe workload of 1,000 tonnes.
The key benefits of the combined design are evident in the weight and drive system of the electrically driven heavy lift crane. By combining NMF crane house design principles with MacGregor high tensile steel experience, the weight of the HCE is significantly reduced. This has an advantage for the pedestal size and cargo capacity of the vessel.
As well, the new MacGregor Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) system improves HCE efficiency by up to 50 per cent compared to the traditional closed-loop hydraulic design. In addition, power consumption can be as much as 80 per cent lower during standby time for lashing and securing.
MacGregor’s new electrically driven heavy lift crane.
PHOTO:
Raimondi cranes help construct 8888 Yonge condo development
Hardcastle Group recently deployed a Raimondi flattop tower crane and a Raimondi luffer to assist with construction of the 8888 Yonge condo development in Richmond Hill, Ont.
Hardcastle Group offers a wide range of tower cranes and formwork equipment for rent, lease or sale through its subsidiary Hardcastle Investment Corp. The company also provides tower crane and formwork services for various structural projects.
“We offer our clients the most technologically advanced equipment to meet their needs, and this is one of the many reasons why we have recently added several new models of ultramodern Raimondi Cranes to our fleet,” said Mark Mungo, vice president of Hardcastle Group.
The Acton, Ontario-based company
currently has five Raimondi cranes within its fleet and decided to deploy two for the construction of 8888 Yonge.
“The decision to rent to Metroview Developments, the contractor of the project, a combination of luffing and flattop models came after evaluating the site characteristics and challenges,” Mungo said. “The accessibility issues of the site and the surrounding buildings made us opt for a luffer to reach tighter spaces, as opposed to two flat tops.”
Raimondi LR165 luffing crane
A Raimondi LR165 was erected adjacent to an existing building confining to the property line of 8888 Yonge. The crane was selected for its ability to raise the jib, thereby allowing a reduction of the out of service radius. Onsite with a jib length of 39 metres,
“We offer our clients the most technologically advanced equipment to meet their needs”
the 12-tonne crane includes five sections of tower, and a climbing base for a total 34.4 metre height.
Raimondi MRT294 tower crane
The Raimondi MRT294 flat top tower crane is also on site at 8888 Yonge. The machine, fitted with a Raimondi Deluxe R16 Crane Cabin, is currently working at a height of 46.2 metres with a jib length of 36 metres.
“The MRT294, a 14-tonne efficient flattop, meets the jobsite requirements in terms of maximum lifting capacity as well as adaptability and durability in a variety of climates, an essential feature for Canadian jobsites,” Mungo said.
The cranes will be lifting material and equipment associated with formwork construction such as lumber, rebar and concrete until completion of the project.
Situated in a community surrounded by parks and commercial spaces, 8888 Yonge, part of The Yonge Series, will feature a 204unit luxury residential condominium development across 15-storeys.
Hardcastle Group is using a Raimondi MRT294 flat top tower crane to help construct the 8888 Yonge condo development in Richmond Hill, Ont.
Our HC-L series luffing jib cranes enable quick, safe and reliable operation almost anywhere. Maximum lifting capacities of up to 64 tonnes, hook heights of more than 1,000 metres and a small slewing radius ensure efficient construction site work, even in the tightest spaces and under extreme conditions. Contact your dealer at www.liebherr.com/tc-partner
COMPELLINGLY VERSATILE.
THE NEW AC 4.110-1 AND AC 5.120-1
The heart of both cranes is a reinforced 197-foot main boom compared to the predecessors that provides extraordinary lifting capacities, particularly when fully extended. A tight minimum radius, greater lifting height, and 84.7° boom angle make it possible to work closer to the crane. This makes both crane models even better suited to work sites where space is at a premium, as well as to work at large heights. As a compact four-axle unit, the AC 4.110-1 is maneuverable on tight roads and work sites. As a light five-axle crane, the AC 5.120-1 is ideal for routes where staying under specific axle load limits is crucial. Thanks to their shared superstructure, 80% of the counterweights are fully interchangeable between both cranes – this applies to the boom extensions as well, with one of them being a new extension with reduced complexity.