24.04.2013

Mini solution

Removing the Favelle Favco A440 tower crane that suffered a jib collapse in New York during Hurricane Sandy last October has proved a challenge.

Attached to the 90 storey One57 building, the crane’s climbing equipment was too damaged for it to climb down under its own power after the jib was removed, and at over 300 metres up it was too high to use a ground based crane.
See Tower crane collapses in New York - October 2012

There was no option therefore but to install platforms around the wreckage and then dismantle it in smaller pieces. A scaffolding was erected to provide access to the crane and then a Maeda MC305-2 spider crane was brought in to help with removing the steelwork from the roof along with the lighter crane parts. Once space was created it was used to install a 35 ton derrick to lift and place a replacement crane – a Favelle Favco M220 - superstructure on top of the existing tower.
Please register to see all images

A recent photo from the ground

The Maeda crane reached the roof via the 3,000kg material hoist serving the building, thanks to its compact dimensions and low weight - although its outriggers had to come off in order to squeak in under the three tonnes maximum capacity.

The work is being carried out by J.V. Trucking & Rigging of Staten Island, New York. The company specialises in tower crane rigging and is very familiar with the Favelle Favco units.
Please register to see all images

The Maeda MC305-2 on the roof

You can read more on this job at http://enr.construction.com