Manufacturer Grove Adds Two New AT Crane Choices
German crane manufacturer Grove has added two new offerings to its all-terrain crane selection. During recent customer events at their Willhelmshaven facility, Grove rolled out two five-axle, long-boomed cranes for display: the 132-ton GMK5120L and 165-ton GMK5150XL. The latter joins two other 165-ton AT cranes already in Grove’s lineup.
Not a lot of details are known about these two cranes, but here are some key specifications that Grove has released:
GMK5120L
- Its seven-section main boom measures 216 feet
- Overall length on the road is 46.5 feet
- Overall width on the road is 9 feet
GMK5150XL
- Its seven-section main boom measures 225 feet
- Overall on-the-road length and width same as the GMK5120L
- Lifting capacity of 8.9 tons when fully extended, 10.36 tons at 216 feet and 14 tons at 197 feet
Additionally, visitors to the event were able to see Grove’s upgraded 441-ton GMK6400-1 firsthand after only viewing a virtual launch last year. Improvements to this model include the Manitowoc Crane Control System and a hydraulic system that offers faster speeds and smoother operation.
Grove’s all-terrain cranes can now use HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) diesel fuel. HVO is a completely renewable diesel alternative based on vegetable oils, grease waste, and residues from food industry and agriculture. CO2 Emissions while using HVO can be reduced by up to 90% compared to conventional diesel fuel.
Vice President Product Management of Mobile Cranes, Andreas Cremer, said, “These new Grove cranes deliver a level of performance that was not previously thought possible from cranes in this class.”
Click here to read the whole story at Vertikal.net. Photo above courtesy of their website. More information about HVO fuel can be foud here.
November 29, 2021
Protect Construction Workers - Slow Down!
The Florida Department of Transportation reminds motorists to slow down and practice caution when driving through work zones in the Sunshine State. This week is designated National Work Zone Awareness Week, a program that began in 1999. State agencies sponsor education and other initiatives to persuade drivers to put away all distractions and follow the speed limit in work zones.
Safety & mobility investments
Florida is spending over $12 billion on transportation investments in 2022. These changes will improve overall safety and mobility for everyone who drives on Florida’s highways. But those improvements cannot happen without the hard work of thousands of men and women on the scene.
A lot of the roadwork projects are done at night as an effort to reduce traffic congestion and inconvenience to drivers. But this puts workers at a higher risk of injury, especially in high-speed areas. Motorists can do their part by following these simple steps:
- Stay alert
- Slow down
- Avoid distractions
- Never tailgate, even when not driving in a work zone
- Change lanes carefully and always use turn signals
- Be prepared to stop if needed
Unfortunate statistics
During the period of 2017 through 2021 Florida saw 53,548 work zone-related collisions that included 376 fatalities and 1,904 severe injuries. FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue stated, “Work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility. Together, we can reach FDOT’s target of zero fatal crashes and serious injuries by staying alert, slowing down, and always being prepared to stop.”
Click here to read all the details at WFTV 9 Orlando’s website. Image above courtesy of WFTV.
April 14, 2022
What to Look for in Crane Stabilization Pads
No matter what size crane is being used, its stabilization pads are essential for safety because they’re the foundation for a secure lift. Crane pads are attached directly to the ram end of each outrigger and work together to enlarge the overall footprint of the crane. But the point of contact between the crane pad and ground beneath is relatively small, so an enormous amount of pressure is transferred to the outriggers while the lift is being conducted. An improperly sized pad can cause the ground to shift or collapse. Engineers take this into consideration when designing the crane pad along with maximum payload specifications provided by the crane manufacturer.
Many factors to consider
Crane pads are available in various sizes, shapes and methods of attachment. The head and pad should be incorporated into the same casting for maximum stability. Aluminum, magnesium and other alloys are both lightweight and very strong. Only qualified crane pad suppliers should be sourced for these items and not a regular industrial or metal shop.
Read the whole story at American Cranes & Transport Magazine (ACT) by clicking here. Images above from their website.
November 5, 2021
The Howard Frankland Bridge Expansion – No Small Task
Most people who live in the Tampa Bay area have driven over the Howard Frankland Bridge at least once. For many, the bridge is a vital part of the commute if they live in Tampa and work in St. Petersburg or vice versa. According to Florida Traffic Online, the Howard Frankland Bridge carries 3.5 times more traffic than the Gandy Bridge to the south and 2.5 times more traffic than the Courtney Campbell Causeway to the north. Freight trucks made up about 6% of its traffic in 2020; around 3,900 trucks in each direction every day. The steady increase in usage prompted construction of a new, larger span of the bridge which began in April 2020 at an estimated cost of $865 million. Construction is expected to be finished by late 2025.
A little bit of history
Tampa Businessman Howard Frankland proposed the original four-lane bridge (currently used as the northbound span) which was completed in April 1960 at a cost of $16 million. Modifications were made to improve safety, but by 1978 plans were in the works for a larger replacement. The decision to build a parallel bridge instead was reached in 1987 and construction began the following year. In 1990, the $54 million southbound section was opened and accommodated both directions of traffic while updates were made to the northbound span. In 1992, both spans opened and have remained in use to this day.
A labor-intensive process
Up to 250 workers at a time will be present during construction. A small ferry carries them to locations where the bridge pilings are installed. Large holes are drilled into the hard sedimentary rock (called chert), some of them extending 200 feet below the surface of the water. The rock’s toughness is more evident on the Hillsborough County side of the bay. Cranes use large hammers to drive pilings into the holes. Drilling takes place at night while most other construction happens during daylight hours. Over the next few months, beams will be placed followed by concrete poured for the bridge deck. Cement mixers will operate from the current bridge to reach the first half of the new bridge.
"Everything looks easier when you're just watching from afar," said Greg Deese, a Florida DOT engineer. "The logistics that it takes just to transport people to the work zone, to get materials, and also try to do this while not impacting traffic — it's a very drawn out, very complex process that requires constant coordination."
Beams will be placed starting late Spring 2022, followed by deck construction early Summer 2022.
The numbers:
- Project length is 6.4 miles
- 3,006 piles measure 40 miles end to end
- 1,727 beams measure 46 miles end to end
- More than 172,000 cubic yards of concrete
- More than 36,674,636 pounds of rebar
To date:
- Approximately 41% of all pilings for the bridge foundations have been driven
- Bridge footings - 95 of 549 have been constructed
- Bridge columns - 80 of 549 have been completed
- Bridge pier caps - 26 of 226 have been completed
Information courtesy of Tampa Bay Business Journal, click here for the complete story. Additional details found at WFLA’s website here. Information about the bridge’s history can be read here. Image above courtesy of Wikipedia.
February 17, 2022