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BY ANDREW SNOOK
Congrats to our Top 10 Under 40 winners!
That special time of the year is upon us when Crane & Hoist Canada recognizes the best and brightest up-and-comers in the industry.
A big thank you to everyone that submitted entries to this year’s awards program. Although all nominees were worthy entries, we could only select 10 of these great individuals.
So, without further ado, here are the winners of this year’s Top 10 Under 40:
• Andrew Phelan, vice-president of sales, Hoisting Overhead Cranes, Edmonton, Alta.
• Erin Loveday, project manager and support specialist, WrightPlan Inc., Waterloo, Ont.
• Garrett Ewasiuk, crane and rigging supervisor, RKM Crane Services, Langley, B.C.
• Jeremy Geurts, owner and general manager, Skyline Crane, Winnipeg, Man.
• Justin Brodziak, branch manager, Sterling Crane, Edmonton, Alta.
• Kevin Bussi, garage superintendent, GUAY, Montreal, Que.
• Manbir Bharj, crane operator, Hans Air Systems, Norval, Ont.
• Neil MacPherson, operations manager, GWIL Crane Service, Burnaby, B.C.
• Stephanie Hnatuk, operations manager, Prairie Crane Group, Saskatoon, Sask.
• Steven Willier, operations manager and journeyman Red Seal crane operator, ABCO Crane Services Ltd., Nisku, Alta.
Want to learn about why these individuals were chosen? Turn to page 10.
Miss out on this year’s contest to nominate a great employee or colleague? Have no fear, entries for the 2022 edition of the awards are now officially open!
What are the qualifications to nominate an individual, you ask?
Here are the guidelines to the Top 10 Under 40 contest:
• Nominees must be younger than 40 before Dec. 31, 2022.
• Nominees must either be working in Canada or of Canadian nationality.
• Nominations are due by Sept. 15, 2022.
Must the nominee be Canadian?
No. The nominee can be of any nationality, but must be employed in Canada. We also encourage the nominations of Canadians working outside of the country.
Who can nominate someone?
Nominators can include advisors, supervisors, coworkers, or colleagues familiar with the nominee’s work and character.
What type of information should be included about the nominee?
Potential information to submit about the nominee can include (but is not exclusive to): Projects or initiatives the individual is or has been involved in; results from past projects; day-to-day job responsibilities; workplace initiatives outside of regular job duties; and community involvement.
Is a secondary reference for the nominee required?
No. However, the nomination form includes fields for a secondary reference, which is suggested to include. All nominees that are selected for Crane & Hoist Canada’s Top 10 Under 40 program will receive a framed certificate recognizing their achievement and will be featured in the November/December 2022 issue of the publication. Who knows, one lucky individual might even have their photo end up gracing the front page, like this month’s cover star, Jeremy Geurts at Skyline Crane!
Still have more questions?
For more information on the Top 10 Under 40 program, or how to nominate an individual, contact interim editor Andrew Snook at asnook@annexbusinessmedia.com, or call 289.221.8946.
Congrats again to all of this year’s winners!
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Next Advertising Deadline: November 23, 2021 Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting industry publication. For more information, or to reserve space in the next issue, call Laura Goodwin at our Advertising Department Tel: +1-289-928-8543 lgoodwin@annexbusinessmedia.com
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Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers will acquire tech provider SmartEquip for approximately US$175 million.
SmartEquip is a multi-manufacturer platform that provides customers with real-time service and diagnostic support, customized via serial number to each asset in their fleet. It also enables the electronic procurement of parts from OEMs and their dealers.
The company supports approximately $1 billion in annual transaction volume with more than 600 OEM brands, on behalf of fleet locations across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
SmartEquip has 60 employees and will continue to operate as a standalone business. It will maintain its physical presence in Norwalk, Conn.
“This acquisition furthers our goal of providing the best experience for our customers as we continue our transition from a traditional auctioneer to a marketplace for insights, services, and transaction solutions for commercial assets,” says Ann Fandozzi, chief executive officer of Ritchie Bros., in a statement.
“SmartEquip will enable us to offer asset-specific, full-lifecycle parts and service support on behalf of our dealer and OEM partners to our buyers.”
SmartEquip will also deepen IMS (inventory management system) connectivity for Ritchie Bros. to continue providing digital solutions at scale around inspections and ancillary services, while enabling better optimization of search and advertising revenue streams.
Tower crane companies looking for more protection when it comes to rental agreements can use a new free tool offered by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA).
“Understanding Tower Crane Bare Rental Agreements” is available for download for SC&RA members.
“Almost everything we do today is under a
contract. This guide will educate the members of the association as to what certain terms mean, what to look for, and how they affect your business and insurance liability,” says Billy Smith, NBIS and chair of the Tower Crane Bare Rental Agreement Task Force.
The task force committee members who developed the resource have a wide range of qualifications from agreement administration to negotiations of agreements to insurance.
The document covers how to read a lessor agreement, agreement provisions to watch out for, sample agreement clause/language, insurance requirements, indemnity or indemnification, liens/payments, dispute resolution procedures, contract checklists, lessee requirements and an OSHA compliance sample letter.
“Good contract language reduces your exposure in case of an incident,” says Michael Battaini, co-president of Sheedy Drayage Co., and a member of the task force responsible for the document. “This document will give you language to use in your contracts to avoid those unnecessary exposures.” Download the rental agreement tool under the Members Only section at www.scranet.org/SCRA/Membership.
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have released the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the stations, rail and systems (SRS) of the Scarborough Subway Extension project in Toronto.
The project is a 7.8-kilometre extension of TTC’s Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway, which will run from the existing Kennedy Station northeast to McCowan Road/Sheppard Avenue.
The RFQ outlines the scope of work required for the SRS package, which includes three new subway stations, with associated bus terminal facilities, at Lawrence Avenue and McCowan Road, Scarborough Centre and a terminal station at McCowan Road and Sheppard Avenue.
The project also includes eight emergency exit buildings and other required emergency and life-safety, as well as the installation, testing and commissioning of all systems equipment including track, ventilation, signals, communications, integrated control system, traction power, and all other permanent mechanical and electrical systems.
IO and Metrolinx will evaluate submissions and are expected to announce a shortlist of qualified proponents who will be invited to respond to a request for proposals in early 2022.
Interested companies must register with www.merx.com to download the RFQ.
The scope of work for the whole project
includes the subway extension, tunnelling work for the length of the alignment, three new stations, emergency exit buildings, traction power substations and modifications at Kennedy Station, and transit connections to Line 2, Line 5 – Eglinton Crosstown LRT, GO train service (Stouffville line) and the Durham Region Transit bus service.
Contracts have already been awarded to 360 Alliance – Stantec and Jacobs (program controls service consultant), OneT+ – Gannett Fleming and IBI Group (technical advisor), Lakeland Consulting (fairness advisor) an McCarthy Tetrault LLP (legal advisor).
Strabag won the second contract for this project. The Advance Tunnel contract value is $757.1 million.
The board of directors at the Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) has appointed Debbie Murray as the organization’s acting president.
Murray, formerly the ACPA’s director of policy and regulatory affairs, took over from outgoing president Wendy Zatylny on Oct. 4.
Murray has worked in policy and government relations for 25 years, with the last 10 in the marine sector.
“I look forward to working with the ACPA team and the membership to fulfill its current plan, while working on behalf of CPAs with the newly elected government,” Murray says.
A sub-committee of ACPA’s board of directors is working with Boyden on recruitment and will be leading the selection process for the permanent position.
The ACPA has also appointed Carl Laberge, general manager and CEO of the Saguenay Port Authority, as chair of its board of directors for a two-year term.
Laberge, a civil engineer, was most recently vice-chair of the ACPA board of directors, and joined the Port of Saguenay in 2010, acting as its general manager and CEO since 2014.
Laberge takes over from chair James Quinn, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, who was recently named an independent senator for New Brunswick by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Also joining the board of directors this year is Denis Caron, president and CEO of the Belledune Port Authority.
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The potential for tower cranes to be hazardous is well known, and has been brought to the forefront in recent months when a catastrophic failure occurred during the dismantling of a tower crane on a construction site in Kelowna, B.C.
WorkSafeBC has released a new bulletin reminding employers and operators about the risks associated with assembling and dismantling cranes. The bulletin is entitled “Top climbing a tower crane: Ensuring safe assembly and dismantling.”
Top climbing is a common way of assembling, dismantling and repositioning a tower crane. This is potentially hazardous work that must only be performed by an experienced and competent lead hand and qualified workers. The bulletin provides an overview of top climbing, discusses the hazards, employer responsibilities, safe work practices, and legal and regulatory requirements in B.C. Most importantly, it reminds employers that failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions may result in a structural failure that puts lives and property at risk.
Top climbing is a common way of assembling or dismantling a tower crane on a construction site. A top climbing guide is a structure that is installed around the tower crane’s mast. The guide is used to create a gap for adding or removing mast sections.
Rollers are located at the middle and bottom of the top climbing guide on all four corners. When the system is
weight-balanced, the rollers allow the guide to travel smoothly up and down the mast. The top climbing guide includes a hydraulic pump and ram, as well as a climbing device made up of a support shoe and a climbing traverse or cross-member (depending on the manufacturer).
The guide uses these parts to climb up or down the mast. Workers operate the guide manually.
The mast sections include K-frame assemblies that provide horizontal supports for the climbing device to push on. The ram raises the entire upper structure of the tower crane. This creates a gap in the mast that allows a single mast section to be either added or removed.
If the climbing device is placed on a K-frame horizontal support that is too high up the mast structure, the ram can push the top climbing guide too high. In this situation, the rollers in the middle of the top climbing guide may be positioned above the top of the mast structure and be unsupported. This puts the top climbing guide and the upper structure of the crane at risk of collapse.
A crane collapse can harm workers, pedestrians, property and structures located within the toppling distance of the crane.
“With just under 300 cranes operating across British Columbia, it’s fair to say there is a crane being erected, dismantled or repositioned every day in the province,” says Doug Younger, a prevention field
services manager at WorkSafeBC who oversees the crane and mobile equipment initiative. “Failure to adhere to just one step in the correct assembling or dismantling process has catastrophic potential.”
Employers must ensure that the tower crane erector and lead hand are experienced and competent in all aspects and each phase of top climbing process.
Workers engaged in top climbing activities must be qualified and provided with information, instruction, training and supervision to perform their work safely.
Prime contractors must ensure that employers, supervisors and workers perform their work in compliance with these requirements. Records should be requested to confirm the assembly supervisor’s and workers’ training and experience on the specific model of crane.
In some cases, a crane may be operated at the same time and in the same location as other work activity. In these situations, the employer or prime contractor must organize and coordinate the work of everyone onsite so that the crane operation can be carried out safely.
The assembly supervisor and workers must follow the tower crane manufacturer’s procedures. These procedures include placing the climbing device on the appropriate K-frame horizontal support.
Instructions and procedures for tower crane assembly, dismantling or top climbing must be established before such operations begin. The instructions and procedures must be adapted to the site conditions and communicated to all workers involved in top climbing operations.
As a result of the tower crane collapse in Kelowna in July 2021, five people were killed, including four workers and a person unrelated to the construction site. Another worker was injured.
WorkSafeBC’s OHS Investigations team is currently investigating the tower crane collapse, and is working with subject-matter experts and engineers to examine the crane components, sequence of events and work procedures that took place during the dismantling process.
An incident investigation report will be prepared at the conclusion of the investigation.
In an effort to add to our large range of below-the-hook lifting devices, Caldwell is proud to introduce the Dura-Mod Modular Spreader Beam. Our new product will come in a variety of sizes that allow the user to configure a spreader beam suitable for different projects and applications depending on the desired capacity and spread.
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All of the Dura-Mod spreaders conform to ASME B30.20, BTH-1, DESIGN CATEGORY B, CLASS 0.
For additional Dura-Mod information, contact Caldwell or scan the QR code!
1Meet the winners of Crane & Hoist Canada’s second Top 10 Under 40 contest
By Kristina Urquhart
The future of the heavy lifting industry looks bright. Armed with a strong work ethic, initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to training and safety, the 2021 winners of our Top 10 Under 40 program are setting the bar for young professionals across the industry. Whether they work in leadership, operations, maintenance, sales or support, these crane and hoist employees are highly regarded by their colleagues, clients and peers. Want to recognize a future leader? Nominations for the 2022 contest are now open. Congratulations to our 2021 winners!
ANDREW PHELAN
Vice-President of Sales, Hoisting
Overhead Cranes, Edmonton, AB
At 35 years old, Andrew Phelan is a phenom in the sales department at Hoisting Overhead Cranes, says Doug Clark, president and CEO of the company.
“As a result of his relentless pursuit of excellence, Hoisting has developed trusting relationships within the LNG industry in Canada – completing two major projects, and delivering seven overhead cranes, 12 monorail systems, and 10 jibs over the past 12 months,” Clark says. “Andrew’s unwavering commitment and dedication has allowed Hoisting, a private Canadian-owned company, to proudly compete on a global basis for these large projects.”
Phelan’s portfolio includes overseeing all domestic and international manufacturing sales at the company, which specializes in custom crane solutions. In addition to LNG, he’s also made inroads as commercial and executive liaison for engineering, procurement and construction clients.
“Even in an economic downturn due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew was instrumental in pivoting to a business model that’s conducive to survival, long-term resilience and growth,” explains Clark.
Phelan applies his appetite for growth to his personal life too, where he volunteers as chair of the board for Oliver Centre, a local early-learning organization for kids.
“Andrew is well-respected by his peers and is a key part of the leadership team at Hoisting,” says Clark.
Tadano’s new GTC-1600 Teleboom Crawler crane features a 6-section 200.1 ft boom designed for flexibility – with higher, longer capabilities for lift work, while also enabling out-of-level and pick-and-carry work. The main boom is complemented by a 33.8 ft / 59.1 ft bi-fold jib with offsets up to 40°. The GTC-1600 out-of-level operation is enhanced by market-leading capacities on up to 4° slopes and automatic load chart switching.
Equipped with OPTI-WIDTH™, this 160 USt capacity machine is capable of limitless combinations – symmetrical and asymmetrical track width setups with no requirement for pinning of the track frames in fixed positions. The GTC-1600 has the reach, strength and versatility to be the valuable solution on heavy civil projects, alternative energy jobs, mairine, oil and gas projects, powerline work and steel erection.
Project Manager & Support Specialist, WrightPlan Inc., Waterloo, ON
Nearly two decades in the construction industry have armed 38-year-old Erin Loveday with the skills she needs to succeed in project management.
She landed a job as a site clerk in general construction at Comstock Canada before she made the move to industrial services at the Axiom Group of Companies, where she worked for 14 years.
“Her hard work and determination saw her rise from payroll all the way to project management, overseeing the opening of new company locations across North America,” says Adam Gall, who currently works alongside Loveday at WrightPlan.
Loveday joined WrightPlan, a workflow management platform for specialized construction businesses, two years ago, and spends her free time outdoors with her two sons.
An unwavering commitment to support is what makes Loveday stand out among her peers, says Gall.
“Erin loves sharing her knowledge of industry best practices with customers, taking great pride in the relationships she forms along the way.”
Crane & Rigging Supervisor, RKM Crane Services, Langley, BC
Garrett Ewasiuk can spot the small stuff, which is what makes him so good at his job as a crane and rigging supervisor, says Drew Ferris, operations manager at Ewasiuk’s employer RKM Crane Services Ltd.
“Garrett’s attention to detail while ensuring the safety of crews, equipment and the public is one of the reasons that we as a company have been so successful and recognized in the industry,” says Ferris in his nomination.
At 29 years old, Ewasiuk has worked his way from apprentice to Red Seal mobile crane operator to supervisor thanks to his studious nature, which his peers see in his in-depth reading of crane manuals and his on-the-job learning from senior operators. Now, in addition to inspecting machinery and equipment, he provides onsite logistics for rigging projects.
“Over the past four years Garrett has nearly perfected the art of assembling our cranes, dismantling and erecting various models of tower cranes, and dismantling our equipment safely and efficiently in tight quarters,” notes Ferris.
Owner & General Manager, Skyline Crane, Winnipeg, MB
“Jeremy Geurts is a shining example of turning tragedy into triumph,” shares nominator Tylor Grift.
Throughout his career, Geurts, a crane operator and supervisor, planned to eventually start a business with his cousin, who was also his best friend. But after his cousin died suddenly and COVID-19–related lockdowns changed his job prospects, Geurts – who Grift describes as “a great friend, father and colleague” – mobilized to fulfill his long-held promise.
“He bought a shop, his first crane and began building a customer base one job at a time,” says Grift, who co-supervised a multiyear hydro dam project with Geurts. “To say he has had success, during a pandemic nonetheless, would be an understatement.”
Since then, Geurts has earned COR certification for Skyline Crane, as well as certification with Avetta and ISN, and hired eight people.
He’s also a champion for his people, having unionized Skyline Crane with Operating Engineers Local 987 and supported the Red Seal training program to ensure trainees have access to learning opportunities.
Geurts, 37, “was able to channel his energy and turn it into a successful crane business in Manitoba that’s creating jobs, building trust with clients, and providing great and reliable work for his community,” says Grift. “He saw what needed to be done and he did it.”
Branch Manager, Sterling Crane, Edmonton, AB
“As a second-generation crane operator, Justin knows his way around the crane industry,” says Mike DeRocco, vice-president of marketing, sales and business development at Sterling Crane, a Marmon Crane Services/Berkshire Hathaway company. “Since joining the Sterling Crane Canada team, he has quickly demonstrated exceptional operational and leadership skills.”
In his role as Sterling Crane’s branch manager for Saskatchewan and Alberta, Brodziak manages a large fleet of cranes as well as multi-million-dollar maintenance and capital projects for high-profile clients such as North West Water and Dow Chemical.
“Justin’s passion for excellence, along with a keen eye for detail, has resulted in outstanding safety records for his crews, as well as numerous operation efficiency accolades,” says DeRocco.
“Justin is a team player who takes great pride in his and his teams’ work, while ensuring each and every one of his colleagues goes home safe every day.”
Garage Superintendent, GUAY, Montreal, QC
Kevin Bussières skidded up to GUAY by bicycle at age 17 to apply for a night shift mechanic job and has worked there ever since. By 23, Bussières had earned his trucking license so that he could hit the road with GUAY’s service units.
He spent the next nine years travelling the province, performing maintenance at wind farms, hydroelectricity dams, mines and bridges.
“Distance was never an obstacle, he was always willing to travel all over Quebec to repair cranes, even in remote areas,” says Jean-François Houde, Bussières’ director. “When he left a site, you can be sure that the problem he came to fix was solved – and probably even more [were solved] while he was there!”
Now 36, Bussières is stationed in Montreal at GUAY’s largest shop, where as garage superintendent since 2019, he supervises the activities of the mechanics, painters and welders on the fleet maintenance team. He also coordinates equipment buys for all branches.
“He loves to be able to work on new acquisitions and he is always the first to check them out when they arrive,” says Houde. “After nearly 17 years, he is still motivated and eager to go to work every day. His peers describe him as always available, patient and devoted to his team.
“If you run into Kevin, you will see that he always has a smile on his face too!”
Crane Operator, Hans Air Systems, Norval, ON
Manbir Bharj is no stranger to the hard work required to be certified as a crane operator. He earned his trucking license in 2008 when his dad bought a crane truck to install air conditioners.
Next, it was school at Durham College and a journeyperson certification as a commercial tractor trailer driver. In 2011, he completed a course to operate mobile cranes. In 2017, he achieved his Hoisting Engineer 339A certification. Now, at 34 years old, he’s currently working on his 339B, which will allow him to become a full-fledged tower crane operator.
“Manbir is a kind, hardworking individual. He is not afraid to work and is always helpful,” says employer Kuldeep Singh.
Singh credits Bharj, who is Punjabi, for getting more youth in the South Asian community interested in becoming a crane operator, because he’s always game to share his knowledge.
“He is willing to help and gives 100 per cent, always. He is a good listener and always is willing to listen to what others have to say.”
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NEIL MACPHERSON
Operations Manager, GWIL
Crane Service, Burnaby, BC
“Neil is not only a kind-hearted, likable individual who has a good relationship with everyone he meets, but he is also an extremely knowledgeable ‘crane guy’ who enjoys spending his days (and some nights) planning and executing technical lifts,” says Drew Ferris, operations manager at RKM Crane Services Ltd. and MacPherson’s long-time friend and co-worker.
MacPherson spends his days leading the operations of crane rental house GWIL Crane Service, and, as a Professional Engineer, helps to produce lift plans and drawings. Ferris credits MacPherson’s “knack for AutoCAD and lift plan creation” for getting complex jobs figured out.
Some of those projects have included the turnaround of the Parkland (Chevron) refinery, the expansion of Neptune Terminals, demolitions of parkades, and tunnel boring machine installations and removals.
“Neil and I have worked closely to develop lift plans for cranes more than 1,250 tons, which required the most finite details to ensure safety and execution were looked after,” says Ferris.
When he’s not busy making sure the job gets done safely, MacPherson, 36, can be found golfing, or cheering on his daughter’s hockey team as coach.
Operations Manager, Prairie Crane Group, Saskatoon, SK
At 30 years old, Stephanie Hnatuk is already making a splash in the industry. She’s spoken at events, including our own Women in Construction event this past spring, and knows what it takes to work your way up — even in your own family’s business.
Upon completing high school, Hnatuk joined her parents and brother at Prairie Crane Group, first in office administration and then in the back shop, where she cleaned and delivered rigging.
After earning a degree in environmental engineering at the University of Regina, Hnatuk returned to the company to work full time. She started to learn more about Prairie Crane’s fleet, and the day-to-day operations of the business, eventually becoming operations manager.
“Stephanie stepped into the role fresh out of university, coming into a position in a very male-dominated industry,” says coworker and brother Matthew Hnatuk.
“She grabbed the bull by the horns and has worked to look after the company and its many clients,” says Matthew. “She works long days and goes out of her way to make sure projects we are working on are well organized.
“She also keeps the 15 male operators in order to make sure our customers receive the best service.”
STEVEN WILLIER
Operations Manager & Journeyman Red Seal Crane Operator, ABCO Crane Services Ltd., Nisku, AB
ELECTRONIC
SAFETY AWARDS • LONGEVITY AWARDS
EDUCATION
Steven Willier was a rookie when he began his career at ABCO Crane Services back in 2008, which is why watching his journey has been so rewarding, says Pamela Crawford, president of ABCO Crane Services, in her nomination.
“[He’s] gone from a very young man with no experience operating, being around cranes or driving commercial equipment to being ABCO’s go-to operator,” she shares.
When Crawford’s husband and ABCO owner Devern Crawford suddenly passed away earlier this year, Willier, 35, stepped up to take on the role of full-time operations manager.
“Steven has jumped from our top crane operator to a management position and has done so with determination, dedication and a willingness to accept the challenges that lie ahead of him,” says Crawford.
“These attributes will serve Steven well as he continues to learn and develop his own leadership style.”
The latest in handling equipment for wood fibre is driven by data, ease of use and carbon footprint
By Andrew Snook
In the world of forestry, whether it’s a sawmilling operation or a logging operation, having the right equipment for sorting and stacking logs is vital. To learn more about what fleet managers and their equipment operators are looking for in their log lifting equipment, Crane & Hoist Canada reached out to equipment manufacturers and dealers to hear their thoughts on current and future trends.
loaders
Not unlike other types of heavy equipment, telematics management systems are starting to play a more pivotal role in the world of log loaders.
“If you look in the past, telematics came on board and customers were just looking for the ability to be able to see their machine and get an idea of when they needed to do their next service, because the machine wasn’t in the yard and they didn’t know how many hours were on it,” says Jarvis de Groot, global product marketing manager for John Deere’s Construction & Forestry Division.
“That’s progressed over time to today. They’re always looking for an enhance-
ment on that telematics and what it can report. They want to be able to have remote diagnostic capabilities, even remote software updates. Machine health monitoring is probably the term for it – make sure their machine is not overheating, doesn’t have any fault codes, and if there are fault codes, they remote-in and do a preliminary diagnostic on it.”
He says that moving forward in the future, telematics systems will continue to expand in terms of data collection for what a machine is doing, so fleet and operations managers can continue to better view the productivity levels of their machines and operators, while keeping a closer eye on job sites.
“They want to know what the machine is doing and what the status of the job site is,” de Groot says. “So, machine communication becomes very important. What has the feller butcher done today? What’s the log loader done today? What’s the species of the woodlot today? How much wood has been processed versus loaded out? All of that data, they want to report that.”
To assist customers with this type of reporting, John Deere has rolled out and continues to improve its Timbermatic maps program.
“We’ve already got some customers working on that, it’s a big part of that solution. It’s productivity reporting, the status of the different machines and what they’ve done today, wood inventory, species and diameters of trees, volumes of wood. All of this kind of data is what’s now being asked for to be reported out through that telematics system,” de Groot says.
Aaron Kleingartner, dealer and product marketing manager for Doosan Infracore North America, LLC, says that forestry professionals and logging companies are increasingly adopting this technology to improve their machine utilization, and access to these systems has greatly improved.
“Owners have access to the telematics system using a website or an app on a smartphone,” he says. “For example, an owner can use the app to see where a company’s log loaders are located on a map. The owner can click on a particular machine and review information about that machine, such as how much fuel it has left.”
Telematics systems are also extremely useful for the equipment dealers that sell and service the log loaders.
“Dealers receive updates when a log loader has an issue, such as when the machine displays a fault code,” Kleingartner says. “Dealers are better prepared to respond to service needs because they receive the fault code information and can address issues before dispatching a field service technician, if necessary. Some issues can be resolved by phone, resulting in log loaders getting back to work sooner.”
Automating certain processes for log loaders to assist inexperienced operators is another area where OEMs are looking to improve productivity for their customers, particularly in regions where qualified operators are hard to find.
“Some of those automated processes can make the operator a better operator quicker,” de Groot says. “[Getting] that operator to a place where she/he’s competent, that becomes a useful technology.”
Safety is another area where log loader technologies have been continuously progressing. “Log loader manufacturers have added features like rearview cameras to help enhance operator visibility. The camera view is displayed on the LCD monitor inside the cab. This can be particularly useful when the log loader operator is working in a tight space or when they’re loading logs onto trucks,” Kleingartner says. “Some log loader manufacturers are developing all-around view monitors, similar to what some auto-
motive companies are now offering in vehicles. This technology will further enhance the operator’s ability to see objects, such as other machines, workers, or trucks, near the log loader. The all-around view may require log loader owners to install a separate monitor from the standard LCD monitor.”
de Groot says the ability for strong data collection and machine-to-machine communication in forestry equipment will be a very big factor in setting the various OEMs apart in the future.
As less fibre becomes readily accessible, logging contractors have had to move to steeper slopes. This particularly true in B.C. One of the ways contractors tackle this challenge is through the use of yarders.
Del Penner of B.C.-based Integral Equipment, which supplies the Alpine Shovel
The purpose-built G-Series Forestry Swing Machines are available in crawler log loader or forestry excavator configurations, able to integrate with valve-in-head and live heel log grapples, processing heads, and bucket and
Yarder and Alpine Grapple Carriage (p. 19) to North America, says that changes have been made to ensure yarders accommodate the needs of contractors, who may be inexperienced.
“The industry has really gone to steep slopes,” he says. “Changes in yarders include them being smaller, more operator friendly and quicker to move. That’s the market we’re after.”
At sawmill yards, pedestal loaders offer a low-emissions solution in a world where carbon footprints continuously become a bigger factor for forest products manufacturers to consider.
“[Tanguay’s] pedestal loaders have always been electric, on the grid with hydro,” says Daniel Chastenais, general manager for Machinerie Tanguay in Roberval, Que.
thumb combinations. Excellent access, egress, visibility, operator protection, and comfort can be achieved in both the low side-entry cab and the elevated rear-entry cab options. The cab-forward riser option on the 2156G, 2656G and 3156G moves the operator 17 inches forward, and the increased tractive effort on the 2156G and 2656G helps overcome steep terrain. www.deere.com
Doosan road builder models provide forestry customers with the ability to pioneer tracts of land more efficiently due to the larger sizes and increased productivity. For example, the DX300LL-5 road builder provides customers with more reach and the ability to pair the machines with larger buckets for enhanced performance and
“With carbon critics, it’s important there’s some saving for emissions.”
The mobile Tanguay rail trolleys are designed to handle logs, chips and a variety of other materials. They can be used in standard sawmills, as well as other specialty wood product plants like OSB mills (oriented strand board) where shorter logs need to be picked up and placed in vats to treat them in hot water, then picked up again and fed into a debarker or strander.
“We have an OSB mill that has been using it to build a huge inventory at the mill entrance,” Chastenais says. “They give mills the versatility of mobile equipment. Clean and safe, these loaders can be used for several mill entrances.”
Tanguay rail trolleys can also be used to unload logging trucks from the top to feed into the mill.
“It’s very innovative,” Chastenais says.
clearing abilities. Road builders are often the first forestry machines onsite before work begins on a new tract of land. They clear trees and build roads to make a path for other forestry equipment to reach the trees scheduled to be harvested. To complete the clearing work, road builders are regularly outfitted with quick couplers, buckets and thumbs (clamps). Forestry cabs are available in areas that require them. www.doosanequipment.com
visibility. The Tigercat FPT N67 engine delivers 165 kW (221 hp) at 1,900 rpm. The 865 logger can be configured as a loader with boom options for various grapple types, or as a high-capacity processor, capable of running large harvesting heads in demanding duty cycles. Dual swing drives will provide ample torque and speed for high-performance loading or processing. Service access has been carefully thought out with the ability to step down into the centre of the machine for clear, unobstructed access to the engine and daily service points. Large enclosure doors and a spring assist side service platform provide a large, stable work area for performing maintenance on hydraulic components and changing filters. A large cast counterweight provides excellent stability with a swing-out door that allows access to the engine from the rear of the machine. The rear entry elevated cab, full-length front window, and additional floor windows provide superior visibility with clear sightlines. LED lighting and the rearVIEW camera system further augment operator visibility. www.tigercat.com
B.C.-based Integral Equipment supplies the Alpine Shovel Yarder and Alpine Grapple Carriage to North America. Although new to North America, the Alpine product line has been thoroughly tested globally. The latest model is a two-drum interlock mounted on an excavator. This swinging yarder system can yard 450 m with a 3/4-inch superswage haulback and mainline, without the need of guy lines. The Alpine winches drive system is what sets it apart. Winch technology provides smooth lift, high speeds and braking without producing excessive hydraulic heat and wear and tear. Matched with one of the Alpine Grapples, this yarder is a very mobile productive steep slope solution. www.integralequipment.ca
Mounted on fixed single pedestal mount or large dual post mount, Tanguay’s Electrical Knuckle Boom Loaders and Rail Trolley loaders are extremely efficient and economical to handle logs, chips or various materials. The mobile Tanguay rail trolley is offered to expand working range and increase mill flexibility. The Tanguay PL350 and PL350-HD comes with an extra-large ergonomic cab with plenty of room to install mill input and outputs screens and controls. The electrical system is available for worldwide electrical services. Experienced engineering team, custom booms design and a proven record of reliability, low operating cost and long life to optimize mill infeed and maximize production. www.tanguay.cc
In 2019, construction began on a significant expansion project for the Centerm dock at the Port of Vancouver. The project, designed to help meet increasing demand for containers shipped through the port, will allow the terminal to handle over 60 per cent more containers
By Matt Jones
while only increasing the size of the terminal itself by 15 per cent. A significant part of the project has been replacing older infrastructure with newer, more efficient models – such as two new container cranes which, after a few months of testing, will enter service before the end of the year.
“These two cranes are replacing two 30-year-old cranes that we moved to a different terminal in 2020,” says Joel Werner, director of engineering and projects at DP World. “These cranes provide larger and higher outreach and higher lift capacity, and they have a faster trolley and hoist. They’re more efficient, more capable, can service large vessels quicker to reduce congestion and keep the supply chain moving efficiently.”
sales@nelsontrailers.com www.nelsontrailers.com Phone: 419-523-5321
The cranes were manufactured by Chinese firm Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC). The cranes are described as “super post-Panamax cranes,” meaning they are capable of handing loads from vessels up to 24 containers wide with a 63-metre outreach. The lift height is 47 metres, with the tip of the boom 124 metres high. The cranes are also capable of having the container spreader replaced with a cargo hook to handle project cargo or breakbulk moves, but those types of operations are not expected to be common.
“Our main hoist system, lifting in the vertical dimension, can run up to 180 metres per minute and the trolley speed is 240 metres per minute,” says Werner. “Much faster than the cranes they are replacing, which directly translates into more efficient, productive operations.”
The cranes are designed to handle up to 40 hoists per hour. Obviously, as Werner notes, operational complexities will impact that rate, but they will sustain 30-plus moves per hour throughout their 30-year lifespan.
DP World invited bids from the premier qualified crane manufacturers in the world for the project, as is their standard procurement practice.
“We have a rigorous specification and evaluation process. The reason we selected ZPMC is they were the preferential proposal that met our requirements, and they were able to deliver the best solution for us.”
While the cranes are manually operated and include cabins for crane operators, the cranes and the terminal are outfitted with smart technology that will take strain off the operators for repetitive elements of the lifting cycle. One example is a smart landing system – a scanning laser profiles the vessel as the container crane’s trolley moves over it. As the operator hoists down, the crane can automatically determine where the container needs to land and can slow the speed in a controlled fashion, so it lands softly, quietly and with minimum vibrations on the cargo. This has obvious
benefits for the cargo itself, but also for the community at large.
“This is quite an important thing when you have large cranes operating right beside downtown Vancouver,” says Werner. “Before systems like this, you could hear containers landing on vessels while you’re in downtown Vancouver. You could hear the contact. Now, with the soft landing that we’ve had implemented for the past several years, it’s essentially gone. It’s a key improvement.”
Werner says one of the interesting things about ZPMC is that they build the cranes in China fully erect and put them through a 24-hour endurance test prior to shipping. Deliveries to the inner harbour of Vancouver must first pass under the Lions Gate Bridge.
“These cranes had to be lowered at the factory, so the upper works from the girder and upwards was lowered down to the portal beam level,” says Werner. “One thousand tons of the crane were lowered. A self-erecting winching system was installed prior to shipment, so that when the cranes arrive on the boat and are offloaded, the cranes selferect without the need for
other cranes. There were a couple of small mobile cranes that come in with a person in a man-basket to perform a couple of tasks, but the lifting component was done entirely by the crane itself. It took just under a month to raise both of the cranes.”
Werner says that these two cranes are the last needed to be installed at Certerm for the expansion project, following five new overhead rail-mounted gantry cranes that were delivered earlier this year.
The Centerm Expansion Project is continuing alongside a related South Shore Access Project, focused on the creation of a new overpass and changing other roads in the area to remove port-related traffic from city roads and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing wait times for vehicles at train crossings.
Promotional material from the Port of Vancouver says that “exports of containers moving through the port support local and Canadian businesses shipping goods to and from global markets, helping to ensure that we can keep Canada open for trade around the world well into the future.”
JASO Group has released the J198HPA, which the company says is one of the biggest hydraulic luffing cranes on the market.
The crane features an 18-tonne max load and is a high-capacity hydraulic luffer within the middle-class range (200-300 tnm) for urban projects or high-rise construction in congested inner cities.
Initially conceived as a re-styling of the J168HPA, originally launched in 2014, JASO decided to redesign the whole crane concept.
head/slewing table with a total weight of 12.1 tonnes is the heaviest part, but the erection process is fully adaptable to any job site, when for example only a smaller assist crane can access. The component weight can be reduced to a minimum weight of 6.8 tonnes.
The complete upper part can be transported into three lorries and, for a free-standing crane, only five transport units are required.
The J198HPA has maximum tip loads of 1.6 tonnes at 55 metres. The crane can also run in direct pull only, with a special slim line hook block giving six-tonne max load, and 1.8 tonnes at 55 metres.
The fully optimized boom starts at 30 metres, and can be increased in five-metre increments to a maximum jib length of 55 metres and minimum OOS of eight metres.
www.jasogroup.com
The hydraulic ram is kept at the rear end of the tower as this is one of the main characteristics of the JASO design. In this way, when the crane in OOS, the piston is fully retracted in the ram’s strongest position, which assures a longer ram life.
By optimizing weights and maximizing pre-assembly, the company aims for quick erection of the crane. The hydraulic ram is now completely preinstalled as one single compact piece: i.e., a slew turret/tower head/jib pivot foot assembly with all mechanisms pre-installed, using quick connectors, electrically and hydraulically.
The hoist winch is integrated into the boom, which allows crews to run the ropes while on the ground to speed up erections and dismantles, and add safety.
In addition, all platforms are preinstalled and foldable, along with the handrails. All accesses are optimized and don’t require a need for using the safety harness to access to all control cabinets and main access points.
Weights are fully optimized and kept to a minimum. The tower
Manitowoc has added more power to its 115 U.S.-ton capacity Grove TMS9000-2 truck-mounted crane.
The crane offers an extra 25 bhp and a series of design improvements for more operator comfort, reduced machine weight and streamlining the setup process.
“We updated the Cummins engine from the ISX to the new X12 engine,” says JJ Grace, product manager for truck-mounted cranes at Manitowoc. “With the new engine we increased the horsepower to 475 bhp, while ensuring compliance with the latest on-highway emissions standards.”
The outriggers have undergone a series of modifications to improve jobsite setups. The rear outrigger box, for example, has been raised by just under five
inches to improve the departure angle to 18 degrees, while the front outrigger jacks have been raised 3.5 inches to improve ground clearance.
Additionally, there is now an extra three inches of outrigger stroke, while the outrigger pad size has been increased from 20 to 24 inches.
While the Grove TMS9000-2 was already at the lowest GVW in its class, the latest models are now even lighter, at 80,311 pounds for the basic configuration. Thanks to the new carrier and engine, almost 1,000 pounds of excess weight has been trimmed.
The crane’s load chart remains, with a 36- to 169-foot, six-section Megaform boom and single telescopic cylinder with fully hydraulic Twin-Lock pinning system. Manitowoc’s fully automated laser-welding
process leaves just one weld seam on the boom, rather than the previous three.
The repowered TMS9000-2 truck crane is now available for order. www.manitowoc.com
The Tadano Group has debuted the new 160 U.S.-ton tele-boom crawler crane: the Tadano GTC-1600.
It has a six-section boom that can extend from 42.8 feet to up to 200.1 feet, making it the longest boom in the under 250 U.S.-ton class of tele-boom crawlers.
The boom uses a single-cylinder telescoping and pinning system to extend and retract all of the sections automatically, and can be locked in selected working positions.
Complementing the boom is a
33.8-foot/59.1-foot bi-fold jib with offsets of up to 40 degrees.
A jib length of up to 105 feet is possible with two 23-foot optional lattice inserts, facilitating a maximum tip height of 305 feet. An optional 11.8-foot heavy-lift jib with 20-degree and 40-degree offsets is also available that is ideal for tilt-up work in tight spaces.
The GTC-1600 is equipped with the OPTI-WIDTH flexible track position system that facilitates symmetrical and asymmetrical
track width setups with no requirement for pinning of the track frames in fixed positions.
The GTC-1600 does not need an assist crane for setup. Its self-erecting counterweight system with remote control and integrated two-stage carbody jacks, along with hydraulic quick couplers on the track drive hoses, enable tool-free track frame removal and handling.
The base crane weighs less than 96,000 pounds, and can get to and from jobsites on a single, low-bed truck with remaining crane components hauled separately on up to four standard trucks.
The Tadano GTC-1600 is equipped with a control system and interface that enables the operator to monitor nearly every aspect of the crane on a single full-colour display. www.tadanoamericas.com
A hoist common tower flanks one of two planned M City condominiums in Mississauga, Ont. Rather than tying construction hoists in a row along the building face, a common tower houses up to six large hoists within one system, plus a staircase. Only one suite per building floor is needed to load in materials from multiple hoist cars. Oxford Builders says this is the first time a common tower erected with these specific materials (inset) has been used in Canada. “Typically, a runback is tied through a unique custom design made of steel — i.e., scaffold or heavy legs — but in this system, it is a mix of aluminum and galvanized steel, making it lighter and easier to install,” explains Shane Dick, tower crane and hoist sales rep for Oxford Builders. “The tie-in points go from the edge of the concrete building out to the hoist way. This makes the floor access more level yet strong. If the builder wants to begin occupancy, they have an option to keep the hoists running while cutting off the floor access.” Construction is expected to be completed on the M City site by August 2022.
• New operator aids with kickout
• Free swing modes
• Simple interface with large touchscreen
• Wi-Fi enabled to update and service remotely
• Calculate outrigger positioning
• Real-time 360°charts
• Live preview mode
• Incorporated swing arrest
• Anti-skid paint on allowable walking surfaces
• No trip points
• Large walking area
• Guided, sequential, fail-safe fly erection
• Control fly assist and boom hoist cylinder from the ground
• One person operation
• Minimal ladder climbs
• Swing around at 0°
• Pivot-point & boom head speed screws
• Heated back-up, winch and right-side cameras with night vision
• LED working lights
• Outrigger lights
• 20 degree tilting cab
• 6 Points of Access
• No helper crane needed to install counterweight
• Transport weight of 95,000 lbs
• Large grab handles
• Deep, sturdy steps and ladders
• Working platform with guardrails
Capable of carrying nine tonnes of ballast with an axle load of 12 t, together with a powerful 66 m boom. That reduces the number of transport vehicles required. Global mobility and convenience thanks to ECOmode, ECOdrive, Hillstart Aid and VarioBase. It does not get more economical than that! www.liebherr.com