Raise a glass to perfect brewery tandem crane lift
A lifting team from Hird has installed three tanks at a new brewery in Kent by carrying out tandem lifts with Valla pick and carry cranes.
The machinery moving project was completed in just one day at the brewery being built in the centre of Ashford.
A Valla 120E mini crane and a Valla 90E mini crane worked in unison to lift the 6.2-metre-long, 3.7-tonne tanks off lorries and install them inside the main brewery building
Hird Technical Manager Jason Timmins said: “The Valla pick and carry cranes were perfect for the task, combining the right lifting capacity with excellent manoeuvrability in a confined space.
The Valla 90E, which has a maximum safe working load of nine tonnes, was used to lift the base of each tank and the Valla 120E, which has a SWL of 12 tonnes, the top.
Hird’s two mini crane operatives, supported by a slinger and signaller, carried each tank into the brewery, where a top and tail procedure was carried out.
Jason explained: “The Valla 90E mini crane held the base of each tank, just off the ground, while the Valla 120E lifted the top through 90 degrees until it was vertical.
“The Valla 120E could then lower and precisely position each of the tanks, allowing them to be fixed into position. The lift demonstrated the capabilities of Valla industrial cranes and the skill of our teams.”
The lifting project that required precise coordination within a confined space. Each tank was 2.7 metres in diameter. There was also only 1.3 metres of head space above each tank.
Both pick and carry cranes were fitted with fly jibs to provide additional reach – which was vital during the top and tail lift and during final positioning due to the low ceiling height.
Hird contract lifting and machinery moving services are available across the UK. The company can mobilise a full range of crane technology from large mobile cranes to material lifts and simple skate systems.
For more information, call Hird today.
Northern 01482 227333
Central 01302 341659
Southern 0203 174 0658