Platform power

Rental company Aguado used a Manitowoc Model 18000 crawler crane for the heavy lift work on a new offshore platform under construction in Cabezuela Bay, Cadiz, Spain. The crane carried out 10 major operations for client Dragados Offshore, the largest of which was a 350 tonne lift of three turbo-generators.

For the lifting work the 18000 was rigged with 61 m of main boom and 48 m of luffing jib. The capacity-enhancing Max-Er attachment, with 210 tonnes of counterweight on the tray, provided additional lifting capacity. The crane was rigged with a 450 tonne hook block.

Juan Aguado Sr, Aguado general manager, said planning on the job was meticulous but even the heaviest lifts were no problem for the Model 18000

“Safety was a very important factor for our customer on this job,” he said. “The lift was planned for the day when the lowest wind speeds were expected and two surveyors monitored the whole 4.5 hour lift using laser guidance systems. The factors of safety were extremely high, but they proved no problem for the Model 18000. Although handling large loads, even the biggest lift used only 63% of capacity when lifting at a 22 m radius.”

In addition to the 18000, Dragados used its own Manitowoc 7000 as well as two 4100W cranes for other lifting work.