A planned unit outage provided one petrochemical client in Texas with the ideal timeframe to replace a large tower head—if the transport and lift could be completed in a timely manner. The tower head weighed 280,000 pounds (shipping weight) and measured 54’ L x 30’ W x 30’ H.

During project planning, Deep South selected a setup location for the 2,500-ton VersaCrane TC-36000 that would allow the head lift to be completed while also supporting other turnaround scope. The planned lift weight was 350,000 pounds, which included tray installation on the tower head.

Onsite Adjustments

As the start of execution grew closer, Deep South was asked to assist the project team in identifying ways to expedite execution, as the head fabrication was behind schedule. Our team reviewed the plan and determined that the TC-36000 could be relocated and reconfigured to facilitate nearly full dress-out of the head (410,000 pounds), while staying under 90% of chart (per client request).

This change narrowed the available tail swing of the TC-36000, reducing the scope of additional lifts it could perform—but it maximized the dress-out on the head, effectively reducing the overall schedule. Our client liked this approach, and to complete the other in-scope lifts, we provided a 550-ton LTM 1450-8.1 all-terrain crane.

Transported and Staged

The tower head was transported by barge from the fabricator in Catoosa, Oklahoma to Beaumont, Texas. Once it arrived, the team rolled off the vessel head using a 24-axle-line Scheuerle SPMT and transported it over the road to the first lift location.

Within the plant, overhead obstructions prevented direct transport to the TC-36000. A 1,000-ton VersaCrane™ CC-12000 crawler crane was used to upright and lift the tower head over live process (equipment? structures?), and set it vertically on another SPMT transporter for relocation to a staging area. There, it could be dressed out with insulation, piping, ladders, and platforms. A 500-ton Liebherr LTM1400-7.1 all-terrain crane was used for tailing.

Once fully-dressed and ready for placement, Deep South’s team used a wireless compression load cell weighing system to weigh the vessel and verify the final lift weight.

Placed with Precision

Due to the load conditions and limited setup area, the team opted for a 2,500-ton VersaCrane™ TC-36000 pedestal crane with 450’ of main boom to remove the existing head and set the new one across the unit at a 390-foot lift radius.

Deep South completed the project safely and within the timeline of the unit outage.

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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, 2022 Best in Class Safety Excellence Award in Crane and Rigging, and 2023 Mentor Award; 2020- 2023 Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance (GBRIA) Safety Excellence Award; 2021-2023 Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SCRA) Crane & Rigging Group Safety Award, Crane Operator Safety Award, Rigger Safety Award, Driver Safety Award; 2018-2023 Louisiana Worker's Compensation Corporation (LWCC) Safest 70); 2021 and 2022 Texas Mutual Platinum Safety Partner Award; and 2021 Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Silver Level Contractor Safety Performance Award.