The surge in oil and gas drilling has ignited the crane industry. Cranes either assist with the setup and breakdown of the rigs needed to drill or they move the fuel tanks used to store the oil, bringing them in and removing them once emptied. Cranes also support the building of gas and processing plants and the erection of power and transmission lines. Further, they aid in the acquisition of sandstone, which, when broken down, is directly employed in the fracking process.
ALL Erection and Crane Rental Corp. is on the job in a fractionator plant in Ohio. ALL has been able to achieve a challenging task in a tight space, thanks to ALL’s expertise in selecting the right machinery to suit the space allotted for the lift. Among the cranes currently on site are a Manitowoc 2250 crawler crane and Manitowoc 999 crawler crane.
The 2250 has a rated lift capacity of 300 tons. ALL configured the 2250 with a 30-foot MAX-ER to increase the crane’s capacity for the job. ALL’s 3D Lift Plan program ran the pick in advance, determining the workhorse 2250 was the most effective, cost-efficient choice for the job.
3D Lift Plan is an Internet-based application that gives customers the ability to calculate and view every detail, confirm the most economical crane is specified, plan around obstructions on a jobsite and view the site from all angles — saving time and increasing efficiency. Most importantly, thorough lift planning improves lift safety by improving foresight and real-time lift accuracy.
The large crawlers were called on to erect huge distillation columns used to isolate gases. Because the vessels ship horizontally, they must be erected vertically, requiring not only the power of the 2250 but also a Manitowoc 999 tailing crane, which works to prevent ground contact or bottom pressure for the towers.
Numerous additional picks are either scheduled or underway including picking and placing additional columns, some 100 feet tall and weighing as much as 300,000 pounds, as well as others that tower to as much as 170 feet tall and weigh nearly 200,000 pounds.
The 2250 with 30-foot MAX-ER was selected to minimize tail swing on the job due to limited space at the plant. MAX-ERs can also be 40 feet and 50 feet tall. ALL assessed correctly the 30-foot version could handle the job while still retaining a small footprint, which is paramount at the site. A technologically advanced world-class fleet and 34 branches in the United States and Canada mean the ALL Family of Companies can deliver the right crane for any job.
For more information, visit www.allcrane.com or call (800) 232-4100.
