Felbermayr gets moving on SPMT

Felbermayr relocated an 18 metre-high gantry crane in the port of Duisburg, Germany

Mid-December saw transport and lifting specialist Felbermayr relocate an 18-metre-high gantry crane in Duisburg, Germany.

It was the work of Austrian specialist Felbermayr’s recently opened Engineered Solutions division. Moving the 300 tonne crane in one piece eliminated time-consuming and costly disassembly and mounting work, the company said.

In Addition, the gantry crane suffers significant downtime where it is unavailable to carry out its usual work. In this case, however, the relocation of the crane only took about two hours, Felbermayr said.

Self propelled modular transporter (SPMT), heavy duty towers and other equipment was assembled at the Port of Duisberg in readiness for the relocation.

Kees Kompier, Felbermayr divisional manager, said this type of operation was used for the first time at the company and it required meticulous preparation in terms of the forces acting. “The interaction of the technology used had to be taken into account through engineering know-how. This was the only way to ensure that the crane could be moved safely,” Kompier explained.

Complex structural calculations were made prior to the relocation

The SPMT was arranged in two parallel columns, each with twelve axle lines and a Powerpack to drive them. The heavy duty towers were arranged on top, two at the front and two at the back. Steel beams were set up parallel to the SPMT to lift the gantry crane.

The beams were connected to the second SPMT with two horizontal steel tubes each at the top and bottom. Extra stability for the structure was provided by steel bracing cables arranged diagonally.

This transport configuration formed a rough cube shape with sides about 20 metres long. “Calculating the suitability of this configuration was somewhat of a challenge,” Kompier commented. Modification had to made to add attachment points.

When the time came the SPMT was driven under the portal of the 51 metre-wide gantry crane and it was lifted hydraulically using the suspension of the SPMT. At its destination the new crane tracks were 1,700 mm above ground level. A temporary embankment was built at the new crane parking area to accommodate it.

“From lifting to setting down on the crane’s new track, about 700 metres away, only about two hours had passed,” explained Kompier.

Felbermayr said the SPMT meant it only took a few minutes to place the gantry crane wheels on the track