Mega Crane Repairs
How to Replace Burned Out Lights on a Floating Mega Crane’s Boom in Just Two Hours
What was the challenge?
The 328-foot-high mega crane dubbed “Left Coast Lifter” is one of the world's largest crane barges, capable of lifting 1,750 tons. It was used during construction on New York’s historical Tappan Zee Bridge and serviced at the Staten Island Port, one of the biggest ports operating on the East Coast. The floating crane underwent an inspection and, as a result, required replacement of burnt-out safety lights.
- To perform lightbulb replacement on the crane’s boom, the client’s strategy was to lower the crane to the ground. Due to the crane’s monstrous size and length, this project would require the closing of a large ground area, a special permit, and police guards. This plan had all the makings of a long, time-consuming, and expensive project.
- The construction crane operator engaged Alpha Platforms’ all-inclusive rental service to reach the floating crane with a super-long boom lift to replace the lights without lowering the crane to the ground.
What was the solution?
What was the outcome?
The smooth and steady cage maneuverability allowed for the contactless yet super-close approach to the crane boom fixtures. The lift operator expertly and continuously adjusted the approach to account for the crane's small movements in the water.
The original plan would have required ground closure, perimeter preparations, large-scale permit, and a sizable police operation, costing the client at least $100,000. Choosing Alpha Platforms significantly minimized the client’s workload on this challenging job to just climbing into the cage and replacing the lights, saving an incredible amount of time and budget. Our all-inclusive service significantly reduces the amount of effort and costs to our clients, helping them reach their objectives of major savings and project acceleration.
- 12-foot extra large cage
- 1,322 lbs lifting capacity for crew, equipment, and materials
- Cage rotation 2 x 200°
- Side reach up to 130 feet
- Unique "under and up" or "up and over and back" access
- Smooth controlled motions to move close to and around glass and fragile structures
- Jib length 49’2’’
Alpha Platforms has helped hundreds of teams like yours
Customer Testimonials
from Case Studies
We wanted to give it a try and see what this boom truck could do. We loved the idea of a wide basket that could reach up to 30 feet and get to the brick wall over the roof. The main reason we loved the truck was how it maneuvered the boom to lower the bricks inside a dumpster, which was located behind the truck. It saved us at least one extra day of work. It all went great.
The project was performed successfully, and we were really glad to have contactless means of reaching the building, as we all know that pipe scaffold might damage the structure, in this case, very very sensitive.
Alpha has the most efficient and leanest site setup time I’ve ever seen. My brother, who is the top climber of our group, first struggled to understand how this cage could go around the tower better than the crane - and when it did the whole 360°, he became a believer. Also, each laborer said how incredibly safe they felt - very different from the small crane basket. We were able to secure and push back the panels in place without the basket ever moving.
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