08.06.2012

Crane recovers chandelier

In the aftermath of the tragic earthquake that hit the small town of Sant'Agostino (Ferrara) in Italy last month it was realised that a historic chandelier was still hanging in the wreckage of the town council meeting chamber.

Reaching the chandelier presented enormous problems, as did removing it safely and without damage. The local fire department brought in a ladder platform and an Effer 655 loader crane, from Bologna Gru to carry out the delicate job.
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The loader crane goes in

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The Chandelier still intact

Pouring rain did not make the rescue any easier, but with the building in a very unstable state, a delay was simply not an option.
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The jaws secure the load

The Effer 655, mounted to a three axle MAN truck, was equipped with six boom extensions and six jib extensions. The rescue team added a specially modified hydraulic shears attachment to the end of the jib. The idea being that the shear’s would grab and clamp the cables supporting the chandelier and then a cutting disc would sever the connection with the ceiling.
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The jaws of the shear grab the support wires wire and steel tube before the conection is cut to the ceiling

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The firemen monitor the operation and operate the shears and cutter

The crane could then lift it out and bring it to safety. The chandelier was then transferred to the fire departments truck mounted crane which supported it while it was carefully dismantled into storage boxes. The unique artefact was amazingly undamaged and will be in good shape to be re-hung once the building has been rebuilt.
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A team of three monitor from on high

The four tier chandelier is made from Murano glass and was given to the City of Sant’Agostino in the 1920s by Italo Balbo, the famous Italian aviator and politician.
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Safely down