When a critical motor and its cooler failed at a major LNG plant, the operators needed a fix to minimize downtime and production delays. Product was already filling holding tanks and trapped in the liquefaction process.

However, the failed motor was no ordinary piece of equipment. It weighed in around 680,000 lbs and had never been changed out. Adding to the complexity, the plant operator needed the removal and replacement to happen in a maximum of 15 days.

A Gantry-Based Game Plan

With an eye on speed and safety, Deep South developed a precise plan to remove and replace the motor and cooler around several core pieces of heavy lift solutions: a 700-ton gantry, a custom jack-and-slide system and a 6-axle-line, double-wide Scheuerle SPMT.

The gantry was purpose-built for exactly this kind of job with its 5' base, which provides the stability needed to safely execute heavy lifts in tight or sensitive environments, and a 39’ stroke that provided the necessary clearance to remove and replace the motor using the custom jack-and-slide system.

Executing Under Pressure

When the new motor and cooler arrived by barge, the Deep South team transported the equipment through the active LNG facility to the installation site, where the gantry and other systems had already been assembled.

The old motor was lifted using the gantry and then walked to a nearby staging system where the motor was lowered onto SPMTs and moved out of the unit. The process was then reversed: the new motor was positioned, lifted and set in place.

With the changeout complete, the old motor was rolled onto the barge and returned to the manufacturer for repairs.

The emergency replacement was completed in 12 days, three days ahead of the deadline. The facility owner personally thanked both the day and night shifts for their professionalism, hard work, and safe execution in getting the plant back online.

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About Deep South: Deep South Crane & Rigging is a leading provider of heavy lift and transportation services, serving a diverse range of industries. With a focus on safety, innovation, and technical expertise, Deep South delivers reliable solutions for complex projects while maintaining the highest standards of workforce protection. The company strives to equip its customers with the best tools to complete the task at hand and is home to the VersaCrane fleet.

The firm offers a complete range of services, from bare crane rental to turnkey heavy lift and transport solutions, serving clients across North and South America. It operates out of seven locations, including Baton Rouge, LA; Lake Charles, LA; New Orleans, LA; DeQuincy, LA; Beaumont, TX; Houston, TX; and Catlettsburg, KY. Sister company DS Americas operates out of Bogotá, Colombia.

Recent recognition includes: 2024 Industry Business Roundtable (IBR) Safety Excellence Award in Crane and Rigging, and 2023 IBR Mentor Award; 2023 and 2024 Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) Safety Excellence Award; 2023, 2024, and 2025 Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) Crane & Rigging Group Safety Award; 13 consecutive years included in Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation (LWCC) Safest 70; 2023 and 2025 Texas Mutual Platinum Safety Partner Award; Marathon's 2024 Exceptional Partner Award; and the 2025 Specialized Carriers & Riggers Foundation (SC&RF) Workforce Ambassador Award