Buckner Industrial Rigging Re-Design Plans for Successful Overhead Crane Installations

Buckner Industrial Rigging worked with Konecranes installing three overhead cranes for General Dynamic Electric Boat. The original scope of work was to leave a section of the building roof unfinished in order to lower girders down through the opening with a mobile crane. Buckner Industrial Rigging was put to the test when plans changed, and the roof was completed before being able to install the girders. The team quickly engineered new plans to solve the problem and successfully completed the overhead crane installations.

Two of the cranes spanned 204 ft. with individual girder weights of 180,000 lbs. The Buckner Industrial Rigging team utilized Shoring Towers and a 500t Hydraulic Gantry system to support the installation which took place at an 80 ft. elevation from floor level. During the planning phase, the team engineered and fabricated a 400t turntable, allowing the 180,000 lb girders to be rotated 90° when lifted to installation height. Once the rotation was complete, the girder was then lowered onto the End Truck Assemblies to be secured. The girder was then moved along the crane rail to allow the 2^nd girder to be set in place. Both girders were then brought into alignment for final assembly and completion of mechanical installation.

Buckner Industrial Rigging and Konecranes were able to engineer unique plans to successfully complete the overhead crane installations. Typically, Buckner installs overhead crane using a Tri-Lifter, but Buckner’s Tri-Lifters have a weight capacity of 100,000 lbs. and height limitation of 35-40 ft. With the girders being well over weight and the installation height exceeding the Trilifter capacities, the team had to think outside the box. In a timely manner a combined effort from Buckner’s project engineers and their Lift Planning department, created a shoring tower hydraulic gantry system used for the installation that held a total weight of 360,000 lbs.

The Buckner Industrial Rigging team, working together with Konecranes, completed the two large overhead crane installs in five days. The four 180,000 lb. girders were safely lifted and assembled using the re-designed plans that replaced the original scope of work. This is another great example of how Buckner Companies’ teams are able to adapt to changing conditions and efficiently solve problems that may arise during various projects. For more information on how Buckner Industrial Rigging can help with your upcoming projects, contact Nick Leveski directly at 336-213-9034 or email NickL@bucknercompanies.com

www.bucknercompanies.com Ÿ 800.848.6234 Ÿ 4732 NC HWY 54 East, Graham, NC 27253