All terrains aid UK airport project

Two Grove GMK5150XL cranes lift a 22 tonne substation at London’s Gatwick Airport. (Photo: Manitowoc)

As part of a major engineering works projects, Southern Cranes and Access’ two Grove GMK5150XL all terrain cranes completed a tandem lift to install a 22 tonne substation at the UK’s London Gatwick Airport.

The cranes has to be extensively screened prior to gaining permission to work inside the airport. (Photo: Manitowoc)

Clive Sadler, director, Southern Cranes and Access, explained, “We had to ensure all work was carried out below a 25 metre height so the airport would not have to suspend aircraft movements. Because the substation has eight lifting points, we would have needed an extra longitudinal spreader beam to lift with a single crane.

“So, it seemed logical to share the load between two cranes. We chose the GMK5150XL cranes because they can carry a large amount of counterweight (30.9 tonnes within a 16.5 tonne per-axle limit), meaning we only needed one support vehicle, saving us time and money.”

Working with the full 44.5 tonnes of counterweight, at a maximum radius of 22 metres, the substation was simultaneously lifted and positioned by both crane operators.

The cranes utilised Manitowoc’s onboard Crane Control System (CCS).

The on-site installation was completed in one day.

Getting there

Prior to the installation, Southern Cranes and Access collected the substation from manufacturer B&S Group’s factory, where it had been fitted with Schneider electronic equipment on behalf of UK Power Networks.

Along with an additional load of steel legs, stairs, and walkways, the 22 tonne module was transported to the site under escort due to its 4.1 metre width (it was also 12.8 metres long and 3.6 metres high). The substation was too wide to enter the airport via the normal security gate, so arrangements had to be made to use another gate and then escort the substation along the main taxiway in-between aircraft movements.

Despite the project’s complexity, the installation was completed without incident and on schedule.

It is the third installation of this kind Southern Cranes & Access has completed at Gatwick Airport in recent months.

Planes on the runway seen behind the crane’s hook. (Photo: Manitowoc)