Liebherr crawler aids Virginia hospital project

Structural Unlimited  was tasked with constructing the parking garage structure for the new CHKD Mental Healthcare facility. The first floor of the parking garage is 19 feet 10.5 inches high to accommodate ambulance needs going to the facility.

Structural Unlimited, LLC was subcontracted to install pre-cast double tee’s and wall panels to erect a parking garage for the new Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) mental healthcare facility located in Norfolk, VA.

Structural Unlimited used one of their 330-ton Liebherr LR 1300.1 SX crawler cranes fitted with carbon fiber pendants to lift and set concrete wall panels in place for each level of the parking garage. The construction of the nine story parking garage began in January 2021 and was completed April 2021. The LR 1300 operated up to 12 hours a day handling the precast wall panels that weighed between 50,000 to 90,000 pounds. Each panel was lifted and placed side by side and then welded together.

The LR 1300.1 SX crawler crane has a lifting capacity of 330 tons with a possible hoist height of up to 664 feet. For special lifts, where a higher load chart is required, a super lift attachment can be attached. The crawler cranes high horsepower engine provides plenty power for simultaneous movements of swing, main boom and luffing jib without slowing down, which makes jobsite operations like steel hanging very fast. Furthermore the machine is designed to quickly assemble and disassemble.

Aerial view of the LR 1300.1 SX after placing concrete wall panels weighing between 50,000 to 90,000 pounds to construct the new CHKD Mental Healthcare facility parking garage

“We quite often disassemble, move and assemble a LR 1300.1 SX within the same day,” said Andy Merrell, owner, Structural Unlimited LLC.

The LR 1300.1 SX is used in various applications such as steel erection, pre-cast and infrastructure work. The LR 1300.1 SX was the best solution for the CHKD parking garage project because of the cranes ability to make a pick-up of 90,000 pounds at 110 feet outreach. The LR 1300.1 SX’s outstanding load chart proved to be an advantage.