News
Power Move: Transformer Lift and Staging Rises to the Occasion
Posted: 01/25/2021
POWER MOVE: TRANSFORMER LIFT AND STAGING RISES TO THE OCCASION
In support of a power plant project in the Northeast, Deep South crews were tasked with transporting and staging four transformers, each 22’ high, 12’ wide and 14’ long and weighing 314,000 pounds.
Maintaining allowable ground bearing pressure and stability were primary concerns throughout the move. Deep South received the four transformers from ship’s gear onto 12-axle-line Goldhofer E-series trailers.
Once loaded, Deep South moved to a nearby storage location where the transformers were staged on 16 beams – custom-designed and built by Deep South – until rail cars were available for transport to the power plant.
When the rail cars were ready, Deep South reengaged the E-series trailers to move the transformers to the rail site for transport to the power plant. At the site, Deep South installed a 700-ton J&R gantry that has a maximum stroke of 39 feet. The gantry utilized Deep South-fabricated 40’ header beam. To accommodate site allowable ground bearing requirements, Deep South had to use a 20’ by 8 ’ steel mat base under each gantry leg. The gantry system was strategically placed to load out all four transformers in a timely manner.
“We needed to lift the transformers 12’ in the air in order to roll the rail cars underneath and then lower them onto individual cars,” says James Caskey, Transport Specialist at Deep South.
Deep South mobilized all equipment, transported, lifted and lowered all four transformers, and demobilized all equipment in three days. The entire job was completed on time and on budget. Most important, zero incidents!
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About Deep South: Deep South Crane & Rigging is a leading provider of heavy lift and transport solutions in the refining, chemical, and energy sectors and strives to provide its customers the best tools to complete the task at hand and is home of the VersaCrane fleet. The firm offers a complete range of services, from bare crane rental to turn-key heavy lift and transport solutions to clients in North and South America. It operates out of 7 locations including Baton Rouge, LA; Sulphur, LA; New Orleans, LA; Dequincy, LA; Beaumont, TX; Houston, TX; and Catlettsburg, KY. Sister company DS Americas operates out of Bogota, Colombia. Recent recognition includes 2018 Houston Business Roundtable (HBR) Best of the Best Safety Excellence Award, 2019 Mentor Award, and 2020 Finalist; 2018 Industrial Safety Training Council (ISTC) Safety Achievement Award; 2018 and 2020 Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) Contractor Safety Excellence Award, Crane & Rigging; 2019 Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) Workforce Development Best of Division OneAward; 2018 and 2019 Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SCRA) Safety Award; and 2018, 2019 and 2020 Louisiana Worker's Compensation Corporation (LWCC) Safest 70)
Pressed for Time
Posted:01/26/2024
A vehicle manufacturer’s large stamping press—a massive machine used for shaping body panels—is online and operational thanks to efficient installation by Deep South. The three primary components included a 181-ton press bed (27.72’ L x 16.4’ W x 13.12’ H), 250-ton press crown (28.38’ L x 16.4’ W x 13.12’ H) and a 92-ton press slide (21’ x 10.83’ x 10.5’).
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