Few people have a view of the world like crane operators.
Crane & Hoist Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Crane Rental Association, wants to share that view with our readers.
We are now accepting entries in our annual photo contest. The winning photo will appear on the cover of the September/October edition of Crane & Hoist Canada , while all other entries will be featured inside of that edition.
Here is how you can take part:
• Send photos to editor Mike Lacey via email at mlacey@annexbusinessmedia.com
• Include when and where the photo was taken.
• Provide some background on the project the crane was being used for.
• Let us know the crane model.
Wondering if your picture has what it takes? Here’s a brief guide on what we’re looking for in your submissions; your photo should have at least one of the following:
• Taken from an interesting and/ or unique perspective.
• Offer a view from a crane, or at least includes a crane in the image.
• Makes a person stop and look at it further.
• Was taken some time between 2022 and 2024.
Help us help you
Our 2022 photo contest winner was Michael Demelo’s above the clouds submission, from Oxford Builders Supplies.
If you are interested in chatting about the crane industry and its future, please reach out.
The world is moving at a rapid pace: equipment is changing, technology is evolving and rules are adapting. The faces that were once recognizable with one company are suddenly working at another organization. For those of us in the media, trying to understand this evolution is vital. As such, Crane & Hoist Canada recently conducted a readership survey. We asked 10 simple but informative questions, looking to learn
where you live and work, the types of cranes in your fleet, how you get your information on the industry and the kind of content you want to read.
The answers will both guide our coverage choices as well as help us determine the best ways to get information to you.
But we don’t want to stop there. This is a conversation we need to continue, and I’m hoping some of you reading this will be willing to help in our commitment to being the trusted voice of Canada’s heavy lifting industry.
So, if you are a reader of Crane & Hoist Canada and are open to chatting more about the industry, its challenges and what the future looks like, please send me an email at mlacey@annexbusinessmedia.com. Mike Lacey
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3 | MAY/JUNE 2024
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Duo of Raimondi cranes tackle landmark development in downtown Toronto
Two Raimondi LR273 luffing jib cranes have been deployed by the Avenue Building Corporation in the construction of the United Bldg, a 55-story condominium that stands as North America’s largest heritage retrofit project.
The project looks to preserve elements from the 1928 building and 1961 expansion it is being built atop of, with the high-rise, mixed-use project located on University Ave. in the city’s downtown.
Both cranes were installed between December 2023 and January 2024, with each 18t luffer standing at a height of 60 and 54 metres, respectively, and jib lengths of 45 and 50 metres. Each machine has a tip load of 4.5t and is equipped with 86kW hoisting gear.
“Witnessing the participation of our models on such a prestigious jobsite highlights the reliability and high performance of our luffing range, reaffirming Raimondi’s commitment to delivering excellence in every product we manufacture,” said Luigi Maggioni, chief executive officer of the Raimondi Group.
The cranes are scheduled to be on-site for several years, and over the course of the project will be climbed to reach final heights of 65 and 195 metres, respectively.
Cropac Equipment named official dealer for Maeda Cranes
Installed between December 2023 and January 2024, a pair of
are transforming a heritage site in downtown Toronto.
Maeda Cranes, a company specializing in the design and manufacturing of compact cranes, has named Cropac Equipment as its official dealer in the Ontario market.
With this partnership, Cropac will offer Maeda’s complete line of mini cranes across Ontario in what Maeda stated is a strategic move to grow their presence across the North American lifting sector.
“Partnering with Cropac in Ontario represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to expand our footprint in the North American market,” said Robert Trawick, COO of Maeda America. “Cropac’s commitment to excellence and their deep understanding of the lifting equipment market make them the perfect partner to introduce our mini cranes to a wider audience in Canada.”
ProLift Rigging Company opens first Canadian branch
ProLift Rigging Company, a supplier of industrial installation and transportation services, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 20 in Brampton, Ont. as it opened its first Canadian branch.
ProLift provides crane and rigging services, warehousing, heavy-haul transport and logistics management. The company announced its Canadian expansion 10 months ago and has since procured a 160,000 square-foot warehouse for its operations, along with sourcing and training staff both in-field and for its offices.
The branch currently has 14 full-time positions and is planning to increase its team to a total of 35 employees by the end of the year. ProLift is also looking to add additional branches across Ontario and the western provinces in the coming years.
ProLift’s Brampton warehouse is located at 96 Inspire Blvd.
Calgary sees crane count increase amidst lowering North American crane activity
The latest crane count index report from Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) shows a notable year-over-year decrease across North America, though despite these trends, crane activity in Canadian metropolitan centres appears to be steady or increasing.
Calgary was one of three metropolitan areas to see an increase in its crane count, and the sole Canadian city; with Las Vegas and Los Angeles rounding out this segment.
Toronto is among the cities that have seen crane use remain steady, along with Honolulu, Phoenix and Seattle. Conversely, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, Portland, San Francisco and Washington D.C. have all seen crane count decreases in excess of 20 per cent.
On a year-over-year basis, the overall crane count is down 18 per cent, and an additional nine per cent when compared to last year’s Q3 report. The majority of active cranes are used in residential or mixed-use projects, with the report showing these projects to account for 73 per cent of cranes in use.
Global wheeled crane market to grow nearly $10B by end of decade
A report from Coherent Market Insights shows the global wheeled crane market is set to grow by nearly $10 billion USD by the end of the decade.
The market for wheeled cranes, which are commonly used in lifting applications across the construction, mining and energy industries, stood at an estimated value of $16.91 billion USD as of 2023. The report is based on historical data collected between 2017 and 2021.
Cropac has partnered with Maeda to offer its complete line of mini cranes across Ontario. (PHOTO: MAEDA CRANES)
Raimondi LR273s
(PHOTO: RAIMONDI)
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With an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1 per cent between now and 2030, the wheeled crane market has an anticipated value of $25.37 billion by the end of this period.
A key contributor to this growth is advancements in wheeled crane technology such as telematics and GPS tracking systems, according to the report. However, the key technology driving this growth is the rising adoption of electric-powered wheeled cranes, due to their increased environmental benefits and on-site effectiveness.
This demand is also driven by the flexibility wheeled cranes offer across an increasingly-diverse construction market, which the report showed to be the primary growth market for these machines.
The Lanco Group of Companies, which maintains a presence in the heavy lifting equipment sector through a number of enterprises, has promoted Jack Wepfer from the role of vice president of finance to chief financial officer.
Heavy lifting companies owned by Lanco include Mi-Jack, Western Pacific Crane & Equipment, Broderson Manufacturing, Liftking Manufacturing and Greenfield Products, among others.
Wepfer has worked for Lanco since joining as an intern in 1991, and has held a number of roles across the company’s finance and accounting divisions over his tenure. As CFO, Wepfer will oversee the finance, accounting and IT groups for Lanco’s diverse portfolio of companies, according to a release.
MEC expands North American sales team
MEC S.p.a has appointed Ethan Waller as national account manager, North America and Joe Anthony as regional sales manager, Mid-West.
Waller joins MEC after working with Genie/ Terex since 2012, beginning as Northeast regional sales manager before moving into a role similar to his current one for the last three and a half years.
In his new role, Waller will be responsible for managing MEC’s national accounts,
developing their strategic relationships and building partnerships and new accounts across the North American market.
“I am honoured to join the MEC team and contribute to the company’s continued success. MEC has an incredible reputation on delivering innovative solutions to the industry and I am excited to collaborate with our valued customers to help them achieve their goals,” said Waller.
MEC also shared its enthusiasm over Anthony’s appointment, with the company’s vice president of sales, Paul Waller, expressing his excitement over Anthony’s experience and the possibilities in his future with MEC.
“We are excited to welcome Joe to the MEC family; his track record and commitment to customer satisfaction makes him a valuable addition to our team,” he said. “We are confident he will expand the MEC brand with market growth and strengthen partnerships in this important region.”
New division director appointed at Liebherr USA
Shane Kuhlmey, Liebherr USA’s mining director for the previous six years, is set to transition into leading the company’s crawler crane, deep foundation machine and maritime crane divisions.
(PHOTO: LIEBHERR)
“I have had the joy of working with the best team in mining,” said Kuhlmey. “I look forward to learning about the intricacies of the crane and maritime industries, meeting our valued customers, and building strong, lasting relationships. I am enthusiastic about the future and committed to ensuring continued success and growth.”
This organizational change serves as an example of the company’s commitment to diversifying its expertise and strengthening its position in the North American market, said Liebherr USA’s managing director, Kai Friedrich.
“We are confident that Shane’s strategic vision and commitment to excellence will drive Liebherr’s crawler cranes, deep foundation machines and maritime cranes division to new heights of success,” Friedrich said.
Lanco Group appoints new CFO
Jack Wepfer, newly appointed CFO of the Lanco Group. (PHOTO: LANCO GROUP)
Ethan Waller, MEC’s new North American national account manager. (PHOTO: MEC)
Shane Kuhlmey is set to lead Liebherr USA’s crawler and maritime crane divisions.
Surround View
On-board diagnostics
Updates on weight limits and the wide reach of crane rentals
The Canadian Crane Rental Association shares information on its provincial weight limit advocacy and insights from new market report.
News from the CCRA’s Technical Committee
The Canadian Crane Rental Association’s Weights & Dimensions Sub-Committee continues to work on behalf of the crane industry, with a number of updates across their initiatives in establishing weight limit baselines across Canadian provinces.
Alberta: With the Pilot Project completed, there will be a period of adaptation to the new weight limits for transporting all terrain (AT) cranes on the province’s roads. Alberta Transport & Economic Corridors (TEC) shared the following information with the CCRA, carriers and TRAVIS agents:
Effective March 1, 2024, AT cranes are allowed to permanently operate, under permit, at new increased axle weight limits.
Those interested in operating under this policy must obtain a permit from TEC’s Central Permit Office. AT cranes must be equipped with 525-mm tires or greater in order to operate at the increased weights. Municipalities will continue to have the authority to approve or deny permits for their local roads.
Subject to the general conditions of the permit, eligible AT cranes may operate with increased axle weight limits according to the seasonal thresholds listed below:
• Spring: 9,500 kg
• Post-thaw: 10,500 kg
• Summer/Fall: 11,500 kg
• Winter: 12,500 kg
The new permitted weights will be available under single-trip permit, and annual permits will be available if gross vehicle weights are not exceeding the limit of 46,000 kg without boom dolly or 55,000 kg with boom dolly.
New TRAVIS configuration codes have been created to allow for increased weights on cranes equipped with 525-mm tires. A list of the new TRAVIS configuration codes that are to be used on your permit application can be accessed on the CCRA Member
Portal. Applications submitted with old configuration codes may have the codes updated by the Central Permit Office. Please verify the code on your permit to model future applications.
If the configuration you require is not included on this list, or you require assistance with the application process, please contact TEC’s Central Permit Office at 1-800-662-7138 or by email at central.permits@gov.ab.ca.
British Columbia: The Committee continues to work with BC Transportation and Infrastructure on increasing the gross vehicle weight of mobile cranes. A small increase would make a world of difference.
Manitoba: Following a CCRA delegation’s meeting with the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure, industry representatives have agreed to the following request:
1. Increase the total gross weight of base machines, not including dolly, for annual permits to 47,500 kgs. This will give mobile cranes 9,500 kgs per axle and 29000kgs on a dolly.
2. Remove spring ban weights on main roads and increase weights on secondary roads.
3. Increase gross weight on single-trip
permits above 63,500 kgs to allow for six- and seven-axle machines in a dolly into the province of Manitoba.
Ontario: The Technical Committee is reviewing the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s changes to regulations for mobile cranes and tower cranes, and the impact these changes could have on the rest of the country.
Saskatchewan: A new permitting system is under development by Saskatchewan Government Insurance. This is a two-year project. The industry concerns regarding moving cranes on weekends was addressed by the ministry.
International Crane Stakeholders’ Assembly (ICSA): Members of the CCRA are working with subject matter experts from around the world to develop a guidance manual for cranes working near power lines, to be published later this year.
Transport Canada: The Technical Committee and the Board of Directors are reviewing the proposed changes to marking and lighting of all cranes working near airports. For information on these projects, please reach out to claire@ccra-aclg.ca
The 2024 edition of the CCRA’s annual conference lands in Windsor, Ont. from June 11 to 13. (PHOTO: CCRA)
New report shows market diversity of crane rental sector
While the overwhelming majority of crane rental companies serve the commercial and residential construction sectors, there is still a great deal of diversity in the overall industries served.
A recent report commissioned by the CCRA shows the mostserved industries to be:
• Commercial construction: 99%
• Bridge and road infrastructure: 80%
• Residential construction: 72%
• Oil and gas: 55%
• Agriculture: 54%
• Mining: 54%
• Rail: 46%
• Hydroelectric (towers/dams): 42%
The majority of participating crane rental businesses in this study come with significant amounts of experience under their belts.
Approximately 81 per cent of respondents have been active in the sector for a minimum of 11 years. The majority of these businesses have been in the sector for more than 25 years (53 per cent), while another 16 per cent have been active for 16 to 25 years; with 12 per cent of companies having between 11 to 15 years of experience.
“The wide range of industries served by Canada’s crane rental sector emphasizes the importance of the sector to the country’s economy, vital infrastructure and to the day-to-day lives of Canadians,” said Claire Bélanger-Parker, executive director for the CCRA.
To purchase a full copy of the industry report, contact Bélanger-Parker at claire@ccra-aclg.ca.
Agenda set for CCRA’s 2024 Conference
The agenda is officially set for the Canadian Crane Rental Association’s 2024 Conference, taking place at the Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino from June 11 to 13 in Windsor, Ont.
The event will offer a wide variety of industry-led panels and keynote speeches. Keynotes include representatives of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, who will discuss the significant role of cranes in constructing the deck and towers of the longest cablestayed bridge in North America, and Wall Street Journal bestselling leadership author Ryan Jenkins talking team connection, generational differences and the future of work.
Industry-led presentations will include:
• A panel discussion on wire rope and construction cranes
• Supplier presentations on new technologies
• A presentation by Siemens Financial Ltd.
• A panel discussion on apprenticeship
• Provincial updates from the Association des Propriétaires de Grues du Québec (APGQ), the Crane Rental Association of Ontario (CRAO) and the BC Association for Crane Safety
• The CCRA’s Technical Committee Report on CSA-Z150/Z248
• The presentation of the CCRA Safety Awards
The conference will include the CCRA 2024 Annual General Meeting, in addition to a number of other opportunities that both honour and connect Canada’s crane industry, including the Canadian Lift of the Year Awards, the CCRA’s annual golf event at the Ambassador Golf Club and a tour of Windsor’s sights and nearby wineries.
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Gordie Howe International Bridge scores big with cranes
Cranes steal the show as MVPs of the massive, cross-border bridge project
Crane operator Kelly Moran is soaring with eagles, enjoying spectacular views and putting the finishing touches to one of two 220-metre towers gracing each end of the Windsor-Detroit border’s new Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The six-lane cable-stayed bridge, currently pegged at $6.4 billion, is named after the Detroit Red Wings’ hockey legend Gordie Howe. Just like the prolific goal scorer needed teammates to feed him the puck, work crews have used an array of cranes to build the new link between Interstate 75 in Michigan and Highway 401 in Ontario.
By Saul Chernos
Bridge mega-projects almost always demand specialized hoisting, and this was the case when the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) and its private-sector consortium partner, Bridging North America (composed of ACS Infrastructure, Fluor and Aecon), broke ground in 2018.
WDBA’s chief relations officer Heather Grondin says crews have used 440-ton Manitowoc 16000 lattice-boom crawlers, 200-ton Link-Belt LS 248 crawlers and 300ton Manitowoc 2250 lattice-boom service cranes to hoist concrete, rebar and other materials for the new bridge, as well as for structures at the points of entry, noise
walls, on-off ramps and pedestrian and road crossings over the I-75.
Crews also used 300-ton Manitowoc MLC300 crawlers equipped with Variable Position Counterweight (VPC-MAX) systems to boost hoisting capacity for building the two bridge decks, and those same cranes are now working from each deck to build out the main span to connect the structure across the Detroit River.
“The cranes are used to erect steel-edge girders, steel floor beams, steel redundancy girders, steel soffit and concrete precast panels as part of each segment of the deck,” Grondin says, noting that the steel pieces
weigh up to 140,000 lbs, and the precast concrete panels up to 80,000 lbs.
Each crawler sits on carefully engineered mats. When each segment is complete, a second mat is placed in front of the crane to allow it to move forward in order to install the next segment, Grondin says.
While barges are sometimes brought in for complex bridge projects, none have seen duty on the Gordie Howe bridge. Instead, the limelight has been seized by Comansa 21LC1050 tower cranes helping erect the towers on each side of the river.
Both towers are 722 feet in height, and while the tower on the Michigan side is overshadowed by taller buildings in Detroit, Windsor’s tower has established itself as the city’s tallest structure.
Kelly Moran is among a handful of lucky operators who have run the 21LC1050 — in his case on the Canadian side — so he’s had a gander at what can be seen from his cab, 761 feet in the air.
While Moran has spotted a variety of wildlife, it’s bald eagles, nesting in poplar trees less than a quarter-kilometre away at
Brighton Beach, that stand out: “Some are immature and haven’t developed the white head yet,” he says when pressed for ornithological details. “They’re more a dark brown.”
The eagles keep their distance, but a few daring ospreys have landed on Moran’s crane. “They’ll actually take fish or other small birds up there and spread them apart, eat them, then leave the remains for us to clean up.”
On a clear day, Moran can see the north shore of Lake St. Clair and, to the south, Lake Erie: “I can watch ships traverse the entire Detroit River. It’s pretty cool!”
Of course, any sights are a backdrop to the job at hand — lifting everything from the bridge’s 216 stay cables to rebar, formwork and anchor boxes. Moran, a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793, says his tower crane has a maximum hoisting capacity of 39,020 lbs at 196.9 feet (42,920 lbs in Power Lift mode), increasing to 110,230 lbs at 79.1 feet or less. Other specs include a maximum hook height of 760 feet and a maximum radius of 196.9 feet when all 42 tower sections are installed.
Continued on page 16
Each crawler sits on carefully engineered mats. When each segment is complete, a second mat is placed in front of the crane to allow it to move forward and install the next segment.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
220 metres
The Canadian and United States bridge towers have reached their full height of 220 metres, with work on the towers completed in 2023.
216 stay cables
The bridge will include 216 stay cables. As of publication, nearly 100 cables have been installed on both the Canadian and US towers.
164.5 metres
Construction of the bridge deck over the Detroit River is more than two-thirds complete. There is approximately 164.5 metres left to complete the connection, with work expected to finish this summer.
PHOTOS: GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE
46 metres
Once complete, the bridge deck will stand 42 metres above the water near the towers and up to 46 metres above the water in the middle of the bridge.
11 buildings
The Canadian Port of Entry will feature 11 buildings and structures, with 24 inspection lanes and 16 toll booths.
36 inspection lanes
The U.S. Port of Entry will have 13 buildings and structures, with 36 inspection lanes.
11,000 people
More than 11,000 people have worked on the project since it began in 2018, with 42 per cent of the project team from the Detroit or Windsor-Essex areas.
Continued from page 13
The project’s scale required an assembly process called ‘jumping the crane,’ with crane sections incrementally hoisted and placed inside layers of surrounding structural support.
With tower crane activities now nearing completion, Moran describes manoeuvres as relatively straightforward, though fitting 60,000-pound struts snugly into place took particular care and precision. “The anchor boxes ran close to 100,000 pounds and were probably the heaviest lift,” he says.
The heaviest lifts were completed at night when foot traffic below was negligible. “We separated the crews so we could do the high work at night and the low work on the bridge deck during the day,” Moran says, adding that he devised a plan to place battery-powered lamps on the ends of struts for crews to see how they were reacting. When operators couldn’t easily see loads, they relied on radio communication and assistance from signalers.
One feature of the 21LC1050 is that its height can be increased through a process known as jumping the crane.
“Most cranes I’ve run into [until] this point were freestanding, and you build the structure underneath, but this crane grew with the structure,” Moran said. He described an intricate process where crane sections are hoisted and carefully placed inside layers of surrounding structural support, which are also added to incrementally.
“It’s one of the most sensitive operations carried out on-site,”
From 761 feet in the air, crane operator Kelly Moran can see Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie bookending each end of the horizon, along with his fair share of high-flying bald eagles. PHOTO: KELLY MORAN
PHOTO: GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE
Moran says. “It gets a lot of attention from managers, superintendents and safety, and it shuts down the entire site until we complete the operation.”
Moran has been operating for more than 15 years, and this was his first time jumping a crane. Comansa supplied specialist technicians to assist, but crews quickly learned to perform on their own: “You study your manuals very carefully, but there’s no substitute for practical experience,” he says.
When construction ends, crews will remove the tower crane by reversing the jump process and dismantling the machine one segment at a time. “Taking the crane down can actually be a little trickier than putting it up,” Moran says, describing an approach that’s tightly controlled and balanced to avoid point loading.
CRANE ROPE CENTRES
With proponents expecting to open the bridge to traffic in the fall of 2025, all eyes are on its long-term value.
“It’s not every day that our members get to work on a project as important to the economy of two nations as the Gordie Howe International Bridge,” says IUOE Local 793’s business manager, Mike Gallagher. “It’s an incredible landmark with a striking design that millions of people will use to travel across for many years to come.”
Proof Testing of any end fitting on any crane rope.
Lifting up and giving back
For Capacity Crane’s Aaron Pelletier, success is meant to be shared. By
Jack Burton
One day visiting an
Since founding Abbotsford, B.C.’s Capacity Crane in 2010, the evolution of Aaron Pelletier’s company has rewarded him with more than just success – in talking to Pelletier, it’s clear that every opportunity for growth is also a chance to share his success with the wide range of influences across his industry and community that have brought him to where he is today.
Adding to Capacity Crane’s success story is the company’s status as the only Indigenous-registered heavy lifting company in the country, with this heritage – along with his faith, family and fellow crane operating professionals across the province – fuelling Pelletier’s unwavering commitment to giving back.
To learn from Verne Pelletier’s enthsiasm for sharing his success is evident even minutes into speaking with him, with no opportunity missed in shouting out or crediting the many people who have shaped both him and Capacity Crane into what they are. This impressive gratitude, he says, was imparted on him by one man who gave him a life-changing opportunity.
“That gentleman’s name is Verne Brown – he always liked to be called ‘Verne with an E’ Brown,” said Pelletier. The owner of his own crane company, Brown invited his son-in-law to come watch him perform a crane job one day and the rest, as they say, is heavy lifting history.
“One day Verne asked if I wanted to come and watch a job. After, he took everybody out to lunch and paid for everybody’s meal. That was the first time that I had ever witnessed somebody pay for everybody’s meal, and I was so very thankful,” said Pelletier.
Pelletier had experience in the construction and manufacturing sectors, but that day showed him he could be a part of an on-site family in the heavy lifting industry. Within a year and a half, Pelletier had begun his journey to being a crane operator, guided by his mentor’s support, kindness and second-generation crane knowledge.
on-site crane job is all it took to get Capacity Crane’s Aaron Pelletier hooked on heavy lifting.
Since
“So, I began the journey of becoming a crane operator, and there was a lot to learn,” said Pelletier. “It was a big learning curve. I started out in a boom truck, and eventually I wrote the exam to get my unlimited tonnage ticket.”
After cutting his teeth working with Brown, Pelletier decided it was time to begin his own crane operating company. Following a journey of stops and starts in purchasing what would be Capacity Crane’s first boom truck, fate found him just down the road from his own house, and once again in touch with the grace of “Verne with an E.”
“I finally found this crane in Abbotsford, literally three or four kilometres from my house. I was going to look at it and they said someone else was coming in to look at it, so I better get there quick,” Pelletier shared. “I’m setting the crane up, and who rolls into the yard but my father-in-law. He said he was there to look at another crane, but I already knew he had come to look at this one.”
“In true Verne-ian style, he went and bought the other one and I bought the one I was testing,” Pelletier said. “They still have that crane, it’s been in use until this day, and I just recently got rid of mine.”
Building up to Capacity
In the beginning, Capacity Crane focused on trusses, steel and rebar delivery, with Pelletier overseeing all aspects of the business as a solo operation over its first five years.
“I started out just running that boom truck. If it broke down, I’d be up at four in the morning fixing it in the yard,” he said. “I’d
its founding in 2010, Pelletier has grown Capacity Crane into a major player in the Fraser Valley’s heavy lifting sector.
never say no to work – whatever came in, I would always take it. I’d work until eight or nine at night sometimes, because when you’re always available, your phone keeps ringing.”
Capacity was eventually offered a contract for a steel erection job on Vancouver Island, with the scale of the operation requiring Pelletier to bring another set of hands on board. This was not just an opportunity to scale up the company, but a chance for Pelletier to pass along his knowledge and mentorship to another, much like Verne had.
Pelletier’s counsel paid off, with his new hire, Randy Wall, staying with the company for nine years and growing into what Pelletier described as one of the best crane operators in the province.
“I was able to teach Randy on the spot in real time, like how to set these cranes up, how to make them work and what to do, which was awesome, because it was one-on-one training,” said Pelletier. “He became an amazing operator, and we ended up staying on that job for seven months.”
After their work on the island, “that’s when things kind of took off,” said Pelletier. Capacity Crane took another step toward the company it is today when Pelletier took a taxi job for Levitt Cranes; with this chance meeting creating a bond between the companies that continues to thrive.
“We picked up this machine and they said, ‘Hey, you know, we liked your service. We’re moving yards. Do you guys want to share yard space with us?’ And I said, ‘that would be awesome.’”
Capacity continues to share a yard with Levitt Cranes today, and is also responsible for handling the load-in and load-outs for Levitt’s tower crane operations. The relationship between the two companies has grown beyond mere yard-mates, with the bond between the two operations turning into its own heavy-lifting homestead.
“We became such good friends, they’ve become like family –over the last two years, I’ve even held the Christmas parties for Levitt and Capacity Crane. I do a big barbecue, I go out and buy all kinds of prizes and we have a big bonfire; it’s a great time,” Pelletier said.
Lifting Indigenous voices
Despite the kindness and penchant for giving back that Pelletier had built Capacity Crane on, it wasn’t until meeting Claire Bélanger-Parker, executive director of the Canadian Crane Rental Association, that he was inspired to align his business with his culture and begin to see Capacity Crane as a platform for building up Indigenous voices.
“We’d already been a part of the Canadian Crane Rental Association for quite some time, about a year and a half, but when Claire found out we were an Aboriginal company, she was shocked,” Pelletier said. “She had been looking for an Indigenous crane company for years to help bridge the gap between the government, crane companies and these joint ventures.”
Pelletier credits Bélanger-Parker with giving him the push to lean on and find pride in his Indigenous roots, a change in approach that inspired him to register his business with the Aboriginal Council of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Business.
“When I started learning about Indigenous issues, and the responsibilities this identity gives us in the sector, that’s when we decided to declare, yes, we’re an Indigenous company.”
“For me, it’s not about making money anymore, as much as it is helping others and seeing yourself grow, even in my own business,” said Pelletier.
Holding the mantle of being the sole Aboriginal-registered crane business in the country, Pelletier is committed to using his platform to cultivate a relationship between people of his heritage, the construction industry and project stakeholders that prioritizes growth and learning for all parties involved.
Pelletier is committed to using his status as Canada’s only Indigenous-registered crane service business to increase representation and ease stakeholder relationships.
“Just like in any good relationship, things can’t work unless both sides are good communicators: they understand each other, are honest and don’t take advantage of one another,” Pelletier said. “We need to have these relationships for the right reasons. Don’t do them because it only helps your bottom line – do them because you want reconciliation, from the bottom to the top.”
Another figure that Pelletier credits with motivating him to see the pride and responsibility that comes with being a successful Indigenous business owner is his father. His father’s Aboriginal childhood entailed the hardships common to such an upbringing decades ago. In his position as a voice for Indigenous workers in the construction industry, Pelletier hopes to inspire and show what is possible to others across Canada.
“I spent my life listening to all of these stories from my dad’s family, and I want to break that generational thing with my own family – I don’t want to see those same hardships for them,” he said.
In continuing to honour both his heritage and his late father, Pelletier began a scholarship in honour of him, the Marcel
Pelletier Memorial Scholarship, awarded to local Indigenous youth with an interest in sports or the trades.
Major lessons from the minor league
Even with the success of Capacity Crane, Pelletier remains a busy man. He is launching another company, HoistSafe; a mechanical service and crane repair company that is an equal-ownership endeavour with two of his closest friends. He has also recently partnered with former employee, Luke Clifford, to use Clifford’s knuckle boom services as he grows his own company, Predator Crane.
Despite his range of responsibilities, Pelletier manages to find time for his passion of coaching minor league hockey. Having coached more than 20 teams in the last eight years, calling the shots on the ice is more than just a hobby for Pelletier – rather, it has been a source of leadership lessons that continue to help him in all aspects of life.
“I’m at that age where I’m starting to think about life differently, to be honest with you. For me, it’s not about making money anymore, as much as it is helping others and seeing yourself grow, even in my own busi-
ness. I would give credit for that to some of the coaching I’ve done in hockey,” he said.
The most positive impact that Pelletier has seen coming from the rink is not only learning how to fail, but more importantly, learning how to get back up again and keep moving forward.
“You learn how to fall down and how to get back up again, you learn how to fail, and then hopefully, potentially succeed,” he said. “There’s lots of life lessons that are in hockey, and I feel like part of why I’ve been able to accomplish what I have is because of those life lessons.”
For someone as motivated to give back and share his success as Pelletier, he has plenty of reasons for picking himself back up after any setbacks, but the most important are his five children – Chantelle, Avery Aryn, Savannah, Taylor and Tristan – their mother Melissa, and the blessings he finds in his own faith.
“I want to make sure God gets the credit for my success, because that’s the truth for me,” he said. “Verne used to say, ‘God is my dispatcher.’ Verne didn’t worry about the next day necessarily, because he knew God was going to take care of him.”
Gearing up
Exploring the latest in lifting gear and equipment
By Jack Burton
Cranes may be the backbone of your daily operations, but they’re not the only tool doing the heavy lifting. Selecting the right gear and equipment for your lifting arsenal is the path to fine-tuning both efficiency and safety across your operations.
For anyone looking to update their warchest of lifting gear, or just in need of a checklist of equipment capable of taking your operations to new heights, we’ve got you covered with our list of the latest lifting gear and emerging technologies on the market.
LudwigHook remote-controlled lifting system
Quebec’s OTH Pioneer Rigging has brought Ludwig System GmbH & Co.’s remote-controlled lifting system from the European market to North America.
An evolution in traditional lifting hooks, the LudwigHook offers operators a way to both streamline the rigging process and protect workers by eliminating the need for manual unhooking following rigging jobs. The reduction in load release time can shave off up to four hours per day in highcycle rigging tasks, the company said.
All LudwigHooks are operated by a radio remote control with a range of 200 feet, with this control allowing operators to remotely trigger the opening mechanism. Opening mechanisms automatically switch off when operating with loads more than 55 pounds to avoid droppage during lifts,
Quebec’s
(PHOTO: OTH PIONEER RIGGING)
with the mechanism turning on again once the load has been set.
The LudwigHook is available in two models: a standard hook with a working load limit of 4,400 pounds and an XL hook rated for 11,600 pounds. Both models are compatible with vertical, basket and choker setups and any attachment, including chains and wire or nylon rope.
For more demanding tasks that require the remote benefits of the product, the lifting capacity of the LudwigHook can be scaled up by synchronizing a single remote to any number or combination of individual hook systems.
The Vita Load Navigator measures more that 1,000 data points per second to detect load movement and execute the required adjustments for stabilization.
Operations are further streamlined by the LudwigHook’s long battery life, which makes the hook capable of lasting through 100 lifts per day over the course of a full week before requiring a recharge.
The LudwigHook was released to European markets in 2012, with OTH Pioneer Rigging working with Ludwig System to redesign the features necessary to ensure compliance with the safety regulations of North American markets. This redesign ensured that all hooks in the North American market are compliant with OSHA, ASME, Ul/CSA and FCC/IC requirements.
The company states that the hook has proven itself in applications such as building supply delivery and steel erection, with more than 500 units in use across North America as of 2023.
Vita Load Navigator
Precision is one of the core considerations in lifting procedures. This need is emphasized in Colorado company Vita Inclinata’s Vita Load Navigator (VLN) system; a data-driven, semi-autonomous solution for moving and guiding loads with increased stability, efficiency and safety.
The VLN measures more that 1,000 data points per second to detect load movement from below the hook of the crane and execute the required adjustments in real time. It works to stabilize loads from wind or erratic crane movement and targets the prevention of load risks such as unwanted rotations with a suite of high-powered
(PHOTO: VITA INCLINATA)
OTH Pioneer Rigging has worked with Ludwig System to redesign the Ludwighook system for the needs of North American markets.
fans; automatically stabilizing loads in winds of up to 50 kilometres an hour.
Loads are guided by the operator with a wireless remote control to rotate loads within one degree of the desired area, with operators able to optimize positioning and movement from within 600 feet of the VLN. The auto-hold feature, which allows for loads to be kept in position, has been designed to withstand tough environments and conditions.
The operational impact of the VLN can drive up the speed of crane work by 50 per cent, reduce injuries from spinning loads by 63 per cent, and reduce fatality risks by 75 per cent; according to Cross County Canada Supplies & Rentals, a distributor of the product.
Three standard models of the VLN are available, ranging in size and torque based on the requirements of the task at hand, though fully-tailored options are available directly from Vita Inclinata.
The 40T-7 model stands at 131 inches long, has a weight of 1,770 pounds and available torque of 500 foot-pound, while the 179 inch-long 40T-11 features a weight of 2,135 pounds and a torque of 700 foot-pound. The 40T-15 is 227 inches long and weighs 2,310 pounds, with a torque of 800 foot-pound. All models feature a lifting capacity of 40 metric tonnes.
Symeo LPR-1DHP-291 radar system
Radar systems provide operators with the knowledge to act with the level of certainty necessary for proper position detection, distance measurement and collision avoidance. German sensor system company Symeo GmbH has updated its LPR-1DHP-291 industrial radar system, an equipment attachment which uses a single sensor to accurately measures distances up to 50 metres in all weather conditions.
The LPR-1DHP-291 is designed for use across any type of crane, according to Symeo, enabling reliable tracking automation processes and overall equipment productivity.
Using an integrated directional antenna, the sensor measures positioning within its field accuracy in the millimetre range. This field can be further expanded through the combination of multiple LPR-1DHP-291 sensors, with this method allowing for a maximum total range of 500 metres.
The sensors are ideal for heavy lifting environments and the applications found within them, including crane positioning, collision avoidance, materials tracking and process automation activities. The sensors can also be used as radar barriers to detect objects and secure areas.
Three radar modes can be used with the sensors.
Primary radar mode measures distance and speed for cranes and heavy machinery relative to a reflective object such as a metal corner reflector. Secondary radar mode allows users to measure the distance and speed between two radar-equipped pieces of equipment up to 300 metres; ideal for collision prevention.
Diversity radar mode groups four sensors into two side-by-side pairs on two different pieces of equipment. With a range of up to 500 metres, this mode is suited for tracking in harsh or demanding conditions.
Symeo has designed the sensors to be maintenance- and wearfree, building the system on patented local-positioning radar (LPR) technology to withstand commonly disruptive on-site elements such as dirt, vibrations and dust or conditions of high sun, fog and rain common to many construction or port operation sites.
Measuring at just 90x90x35 millimetres, the LPR-1DHP-350 can be installed in areas on equipment that other types of radar systems previously could not.
A LONG WAY TOGETHER
AIROMAX AM 27
No matter how challenging your needs, AIROMAX AM 27 is your best ally for mobile cranes in industrial applications. The tire is particularly suitable for road usage. Thanks to its All Steel casing and the special tread design, AIROMAX AM 27 provides extraordinary traction along with high load capacity.
AIROMAX AM 27 is BKT’s response to withstand the toughest conditions in the construction industry.
For info: 514-792-9220
Discover the BKT Radial Range
And the winner is…
Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association honours top rigging jobs of the year at annual conference
By Mike Lacey
Righting a sailing ship and removing a 700,000-pound stator were among the winning projects in the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association’s (SC&RA) rigging jobs of the year competition.
It was nearly a clean sweep for Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company, with the American company taking home top honours in three of the four categories during the SC&RA’s annual conference from April 15 to 19 in Austin, Texas. The awards were handed out in four separate categories based on total contract amount.
Barnhart won in the categories for projects with contracts of less that $150,000, contracts valued from $750,000 to $2 million, and those over $2 million.
In the over $2 million category, Barnhart was honoured for its work in removing and replacing a 720,000-pound damaged stator at a Missouri power plant, a project that had to be completed in less than two months.
The replacement stator was located at a plant in Louisiana, more than 1,100 kilometres away. The stator was 40 feet long by 14 feet high and 15 feet and four inches wide. A 500-ton hoist and 70-foot gantry truck were used to lift, transport and set the stator on a rail car where it was taken to Missouri. When it arrived, Barnhart then removed the failed stator, and lifted and set the replacement stator.
For their win in the less than $150,000 category, Barnhart used its custom-designed, 150,000-pound capacity tipstick to remove and replace two 100,000-pound spindles in a steel mill within a 24-hour window.
South African company Vanguard needed to find a unique solution to upright the Europa, a barque rigged sailing vessel that had fallen while in dry dock.
(PHOTO: VANGUARD)
In the $750,000 to $2 million category, Barnhart won for their role in the stacking, jack and sliding of two module trains, each weighing 475,942 pounds and measuring 65 feet by 60 feet and six inches by 15 feet and 10inches.
“It is always great to be recognized by our peers, and we are thrilled to have the tremendous work of our engineers, riggers, and operators honored with these awards,” said Barnhart executive vice president Jeff Latture. “The hours dedicated to site visits, designing customized solutions, and planning and executing jobs safely takes incredible teamwork and dedication. For us,
though, the best reward is a happy customer and the satisfaction of a job well done.”
The other company to win was Vanguard. The South African company won in the $150,000 to $750,000 project category for completing a complex lift to upright the Europa, a rigged sailing vessel. The ship weighs 650 tons, measuring 44.5 metres in length and 7.45 metres in height. It was laying at approximately 38 degrees to starboard.
The Europa is a steel-hauled barque sailing ship that was first launched in 1911. Up until 1977, it was in use by the German Federal Coast Guard. In 1984, it was purchased and restored and since then has sailed the world, including annual voyages to Antarctica. In 2003 and 2013, the vessel rounded Cape Horn.
On May 20, 2023, the Europa was in dry dock at Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Dock Yard in Cape Town. It fell while being transferred back into the water, with the fall damaging its haul.
Vanguard was subcontracted by Resolve Marine to upright the ship and realign it with the centre line of the track system. Vanguard notes that complications arose due to the restricted workspace making a crane lift impossible.
Adding to these complications was that the Europa could not be altered in any way, was off centre alignment, and had to be lifted and rotated while minimizing impact to masts, decks and rigging.
The solution devised by Vanguard engineers was to use four 186-ton hydraulic strand jacks and four independent hydraulic gantry systems, for a total of eight hydraulic legs. Vanguard noted that four heavy duty header beams were used to support the stand jacks, with two installed between the gantries and positioned over the vessel and between the masts to minimize further impact to the masts and rigging.
The strand jack system was rigged to custom-fabricated keel brackets and enabled Vanguard to conduct a controlled and precise lift. Once the vertical lift was complete, Vanguard realigned the 650-ton vessel with the track system by using a transverse skidding operation.
“These awards attract the very best in our industry, and to be recognized as performing the world’s most complex rigging job within the last 12 months is testament to Vanguard and the company we are today,” said Bryan Hodgkinson, director at Vanguard.
“The extensive planning and engineering work that was involved in the project is evident in the precision of the execution. It was a true team effort that required approximately 1,600 man-hours and was meticulously performed with zero lost-time incidents. It was a privilege to present our entry on behalf of the whole team, and to demonstrate the capabilities within our business to the judging panel.”
Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company won three of the four categories in the SC&RA’s rigging jobs of the year awards. (PHOTO:
BARNHART CRANE AND RIGGING)
OZ Lifting Products launches industry-first stainless steel lever hoist
OZ Lifting Products has launched North America’s first stainless steel lever hoist. Available in 0.25-, 0.75-, 1.5-, and 3-ton versions, each lever can be provided with 5-foot, 10-foot, 15-foot, and 20-foot lengths of lift, with custom rigging available. The hoist also joins three other products — a chain hoist, push beam trolley, and beam clamp — in the company’s Type 304 stainless steel range.
The hoists will be available for delivery to OZ Lifting Products’ network of regional dealers in June. OZ Lifting notes the hoists are lightweight, easy to operate and ideal for use in confined and enclosed spaces.
“Our stainless manual hoists have been very successful, so it was a natural next step to extend the line to include lever hoists,” says Steve Napieralski, president of OZ Lifting. “The hoist offers increased resistance to wear and tear, meaning it has a longer lifespan, reducing replacement costs, even when subject to repeated use.”
XCMG launches G2 crane brand
XCMG Machinery unveiled its G2 crane brand on April 8. According to the company, the G2 brand integrates the entire process of product application, maintenance, operation and management into its workflow.
The China-based company notes the G2 series will deliver results for users in a variety of areas, including reductions in maintenance time, along with improvements in micro-movement and smoothness, cabin space and field of vision.
With the G2 platform, XCMG states its aim is to offer a green and circular system for the crane industry and achieve a win-win for all stakeholders through innovations in research and development.
Haulotte upgrades its rough terrain articulating boom lift
Haulotte released the next generation of its HA20 RTJ rough terrain articulating boom lift, with a new working height of up to 20 metres. The HA20’s articulated arm and 11.9-metre horizontal outreach add further versatility to the all-terrain machine’s four-wheel drive, two-way steering and oscillating axle.
A new Dual Reach option from Haulotte has been included in this upgrade, which increases the load capacity of the machine from 250 kilograms to 350 kilograms and tilt capacity to six degrees.
When activated, Dual Reach adapts the machine’s working envelopes to ensure stability and limits the number of back-andforth movements between the ground and working area, increasing safety and productivity on sloped terrain.
Additional traction is provided through an automatic differential lock, which allows operators to navigate obstacles on rough terrain with full manoeuverability. Jerk-free driving and an ergonomic control panel have
also been added for improvements in safety and operator experience.
The HA20 RTJ features a new 18.5 kW engine, with upgraded mechanical and hydraulic systems and a fuel consumption reduction of 35 to 50 per cent. This redesign also reduces the number of hydraulic hoses by 35 per cent and increases component access for efficient maintenance.
lgoodwin@annexbusinessmedia.com
SAFETY CORNER
BY CLINTON CONNELL
A changing landscape
Partnership between B.C.’s heavy lifting stakeholders looks to evolve crane safety.
Like many regions in Canada, B.C. is growing at an unprecedented rate. With population growth comes increased demand for housing, resources, improved infrastructure and skilled workers to meet those needs.
Densification in urban centers has resulted in a dramatic rise in the number of tower cranes in B.C. — from luffer-style cranes more typical to metropolitan areas to modern flat-top city cranes and smaller self-erecting cranes commonly seen on multi-family housing projects and larger residential sites.
High-profile fatalities involving tower cranes draw the attention of the public, media, government and industry to raise questions about crane safety: most recently, the 2019 incident in Seattle which claimed four lives, the 2021 incident in Kelowna which claimed five lives and the recent incident in Vancouver which claimed the life of one worker. Other incidents and near-misses have brought further scrutiny to the industry. As we’ve seen in Seattle and Kelowna, criminal negligence charges can also be considered or recommended.
In response, industry stakeholder groups are collaborating and consulting together in a variety of ways to identify a range of changes necessary to increase the level of safety.
These stakeholders include the BC Association for Crane Safety, WorkSafeBC, the Ministries of Labour and of Post-Secondary/Future Skills, SkilledTradesBC, IUOE, certifying partners, training providers, and multiple industry and construction safety associations such as the BC Construction Safety Alliance and the BC Formwork Association.
Together, the work of these groups has informed changes in guidelines and regulations, with pilot projects that have become policy, regulatory changes surrounding the permitting of cranes, legislation mandating the use of zone protection and anti-collision devices and minimum qualification frameworks and certifications for those supervising the assembly, repositioning and disassembly of tower cranes. Every
aspect of the industry is being reviewed for opportunities for improvement.
One area of focus is the annual engineered inspection of cranes and the requirement for any modifications made to equipment to undergo engineering certification. Recent discussions have also inquired into the issue of aging equipment being used across Canada.
These discussions highlight the importance of annual NDT inspections and certifications from a professional engineer, and, more urgently, the daily, weekly and periodical inspections that are critical to ensuring that all equipment, regardless of age, functions safely. These inspections are a standard part of the OHSR in all jurisdictions across Canada and the United States, and play an important role in safety across the industry.
BC Crane Safety and WorkSafeBC participated in some inspections and, along with other stakeholders, have presented their findings to our industry-led Board of Directors.
Continuing conversations surrounding machine service-life design and end-of-life analyses may help inform future regulations. In the meantime, these findings
serve as an urgent reminder that crane owners and operators must understand the legal obligations around the routine inspection and maintenance of cranes in order to ensure safety for all who work around them.
It’s worth noting that incident reviews across the continent over the last two decades have identified a multitude of contributing causes. Everything from environmental factors, including weather or site conditions; to component failure due to improper maintenance; lack of engineering or administrative controls; and human error have contributed to crane failures.
That is why it is so important to take a comprehensive, industry-wide approach when looking for opportunities to improve safety. By addressing all aspects of crane operation — OHS regulations, standards, certification, enforcement, training, safety, supervision, inspection and maintenance — we can ensure our industry’s safe and prosperous future in an ever-changing landscape.
Clinton Connell serves as the executive director for the BC Association for Crane Safety.
Recent incidents in the province have brought together the BC Association for Crane Safety, WorkSafeBC, the local IUOE, SkilledTradesBC and more to map out the next safety steps.
