06.01.2011

ALE mega crane completes Thailand project

Heavy lift and transport specialist ALE has completed a series of lifts from 73 to 850 tonnes as part of the Thai Growth Project in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.

A total of 25 items were transported, lifted and installed in just 22 days, using the 4,300 tonne capacity/190,000 tonne metre, AL.SK190’s on its second major assignment.

The Thai Growth Project originally specified a large crawler crane working from from three differnent positions, with the lifts taking place over a three-month period. However, thanks to its high long radius capacity, the AL.SK190 was able to perform all the lifts from a single location completing the task in less than a month with significant cost and schedule savings for the client.
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AL.SK190 lifting a column with the auxiliary block

The 141 metre main boom meant that columns up to 85 metres long and eight metres in diameter could be lifted over the new structure, allowing other structures and pipe racks to be installed ahead of schedule. The AL.SK190 also required minimal ground preparation for its 25 tonnes per square metre loading under the mast foot and 20 tonnes under the ballast.
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Front view of the AL.SK190 with winches on lower cross beam back mast.

The 25 items lifted as part of the project weighed a combined 4,230 tonnes, including the 85 metre column with a total weight of 850 tonnes which had to be lifted to a radius of 114.4 metres, a 75 metre long - eight metre column with a total lift weight of around 700 tonnes, to a radius of 70.6 metres and a 50 metre long, six metre diameter column weighing 250 tonnes to a radius of 110 metres.

Michael Birch, executive director, ALE Projects, said: “The 28-day lift schedule was considered aggressive, but we were able to safely install all items six days ahead of schedule due to good planning and teamwork. The AL.SK190’s 600 tonne quick winch system enabled the majority of the lifts to be carried out over timescales similar to large crawler cranes, whilst the strand lift system enabled us to do some heavy lifts at significant radii – such as the 850 tonne column at a 114.4 metre radius. As a result, the new process structures could be erected well ahead of what would be expected in a normal construction schedule."
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SPMTs move the column into place ready to lift.

Ronald Hoefmans, executive director of ALE, added: "The AL.SK190 operates with two hook blocks - the main block is used for ultra-heavy loads up to 5,000 tonnes, whilst the auxiliary block can be used as a 'quick winch' for installing loads of up to 600 tonnes over 160 metre radius. This capability makes it incredibly cost effective for projects across offshore, petrochemical, power and civil markets, where multiple items of varying weight need to be lifted and relocated from one position."

Depending on reeving, the block speed goes up to 750 metres an hour. The winches are equipped with 2,500 metres of cable each, which means the fully reeved hook block can reach the ground with boom lengths of up to 200 metres.
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The AL.SK190's auxiliary hook block.

"Looking at the plans the competition has on the drawing board for their new cranes it looks like the AL.SK190, is going to remain the strongest land-based crane in the world for years to come."