Friday roundup: cloud construction, stinger clamp solution and tower crane technologies

Photo: Liebherr

Happy Friday, CTB readers! Let’s take a look back at the lead stories from this week.

On Monday, industry association SC&RA chief executive Joel Dandrea writes that data centre construction is booming, and it’s not confined to the traditional technology hubs. Several regions in the USA are hotspots for data centre development, driven by factors that include available land, favourable regulations and access to renewable energy. In some cases, power-hungry data campuses are being planned and permitted in rural areas where development had previously stalled. Dandrea says these projects are creating a ripple effect – increasing demand for infrastructure support services nationally.

Read Dandrea’s assessment of this unique construction boom.

Wednesday’s briefing detailed the replacement of a 36 to 42-inch (914 to 1,067 mm) refractory-lined CO line in a time-sensitive framework required experience and know-how. The team at Mountain Crane’s solution was using self-propelled modular transporter and a stinger clamp system. With overhead clearance a constant issue, the Mountain Crane team also needed to assure safety at elevated heights. Positioning the CO line in a working plant required a stinger clamp system that was specifically designed to handle the limitations posed by the lack of clearance and obstructions. The complexity of the problem and the solution earned the Mountain Crane team an SC&RA Job of the Year trophy in the Rigging US$300,000 to US$1 million category.

Read more about Mountain Crane’s innovative heavy lift solution.

Tower crane innovation is reaching new heights (quite literally) with launches from several major manufacturers already announced this year. From fully electric models that reduce environmental impact (and noise emissions) on site, to luffing jibs offering increased capacity, safety and control, 2025 is really shaping up to be a year of transformation for lifting work.Highlights include Terex’s precision-engineered CTL 702-32, Liebherr’s powerful new luffer, and Wolffkran’s compact heavy-lifters designed for infrastructure and data centre builds. All the latest trends, challenges and technology will be discussed next week at our International Tower Cranes (ITC) conference in Rome, Italy. Find out more about the event here.

Read more about the latest and greatest tower crane news and market moves.