Friday round up: SPMT success, NASA lifts, ground conditioning

The lift for NASA’s contraction cone was rigged with two Modulift MOD 50 spreader beams and four polyester round slings for top rigging and bottom rigging.

We started the week with a report from Crane and Transport Briefing’s D. Ann Shiffler on how SPMT continues to play a critical role in heavy and oversized transport and industrial installation applications. This specialized transport equipment is helping engineering teams navigate difficult terrain, confined spaces, and extremely heavy loads.

Tuesday brought you the latest news and moves from across the crane and specialized transport sector with our Crane and Transport Briefing Extra newsletter. The top story this week looked at the construction of the first wind-powered offshore gas platform in the Dutch North Sea, and how contractor HSM Offshore and heavy lift giant Mammoet worked on a 3,00 tonne load out for the project.

Next we looked at the future of space travel with NASA’s cutting-edge Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF). The facility is taking shape in Virginia, USA with the help of PSC Crane & Rigging who have executed more than 100 lifts, including the delicate hoisting of the massive contraction cone - using a Liebherr LR1300SX crawler crane and Modulift spreader beams.

Then on Thursday we examined how and why every successful lift starts below ground - with stable, well-supported conditions. As the industry sharpens its focus on foundational support, new resources like SC&RA’s Guide to Outrigger Pad Materials and ASME P30’s forthcoming appendix are helping lift planners make informed decisions.