The run around

Florida phosphate plant needed more than a mere lift. Orlando, FL-based Crane Rental Corp. (CRC) was contacted by an international industrial contractor to assist with the plant's unique problem: how to relocate a silo to another location a half mile from the plant. The silo was 38 feet tall, 32 feet in diameter, and weighed 180,000 pounds.

After a close review, the shortest route, about a half mile away, was found to be too narrow and congested with power lines and pipe racks. An alternate three-mile route was mapped and planning began. Using a CAD (computer-assisted drafting) program to diagram the lift and the move from start to finish, CRC rigging experts were able to draft a plan so that all involved-crew and customer-knew what to expect.

Job day arrived and CRC's crew was ready to start hoisting by 9 a.m. Working in tandem, two Grove GMK5240 telescopic mobile cranes with 240 ton lift capacity loaded the silo onto a double-wide Goldhofer trailer rigged with 12 axles total, six in a row by two rows side by side. The trailer was 21 feet wide and 30 feet long. CRC owns and operates its transport vehicles and equipment.

Stay on task

After the load was secured, the trailer, silo, and crew headed of down the planned route. During this time, the cranes were also disassembled, moved to the final location, and re-assembled to set the silo in place.

For the lift, the two cranes were rigged with 105 foot of main boom at a 40 foot radius. Each crane was rigged with a 15 foot spreader bar, six 35 ton shackles, four 1 3/4 inch by 20 feet wire rope chokers. The cranes are model years 2001 and 2005 and are both owned by CRC.

By 6:30 p.m. on the same day the project was complete; planned and executed efficiently and safely.