70 ton crane not big enough

Courierguy

Courierguy

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Location
Idaho
A few weeks ago I assembled the steel components on the 30,000 lb bell tower thats going on top of the five story largest museum in the country devoted to cleaning. A few days ago the 70 tonner showed up to set it, and it got a little ugly. It was a new/newer Terex, a real nice rig with tandem fron axles and a 4 section boom. Unfortunately I did not have my camera, so no closeups of it. I went home to get the camera, jumped in the plane and flew back to town and got these pictures. Keeping at the legal limit of 1,000' still show what happened. Before pick.
 
In the first shot, he is just starting to take the load, even from 1,000' I could see the boom deflection. Its going up on top near the scaffolding. This shot show it underway.
 

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Here's where it gets ugly, he ran out of boom, and still had to go a little higher, now the load is actually in contact with the bottom of the boom...not good. They did manage to get it into place, using come alongs to drag it, but it took until dark and was not a good deal. I feel sorry for the crane guy as from the look of his equipment he gives a damn. Another 4' of boom or setting up a few feet different would have made it a 15 minute job. A 100' tape and some accurate measuring could have avoided this (easy for me to say).
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Whats the difference between that crane and the crane thats mounted on an AT carrier?

[/ QUOTE ]

Capacity. AT generally have a stronger chart compared to a boom truck, or truck crane of same size.
 
While the Grove AT load charts are very impressive, (I want one..)I believe the problem was in boom length, not capacity.

I use the plane (a kitplane/homebuilt Rans S7S) a lot for crane work, no kidding! For example, I have a job coming up at the state womens prison, that will involve reaching all the HCAV units, the picture I took allows me, in the comfort of my office, to plan out how to reach everything, and hopefully spot any potential problems. I can fly and take a picture cheaper then driving, its very cheap to fly.
 

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I just downloaded the second Grove spec sheet, the six section 141' boom one, you are correct sir, that would have done it easily. What a capable machine in such a compact package. I think the 70 ton Terex had 120 or 124' maybe. Using his jib was not an option I'm thinking, capacity wise.
 
that's what I was getting at MOST AT have more main boom, as well as stronger charts. not to mention the endless list of other reasons why an AT surpasses truck cranes and boom trucks.



lets see that plane!
 
applaudit.gif
"De plane Dep plane"
 
previous shot was the top of the runway, 12% grade 300' long
The vortex generators on top the front of the wing make it a very capable short field machine, they keep the airflow attached longer, allowing higher angles of attack/lower speeds, it'll fly in the low 30's and cruise at 100.
 

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loaded for solo cross country, the rear passenger seat removed. The bike is a 21 speed Montague mt. bike, also handy to throw in a car trunk
 

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I agree with courierguy on this one you could have an identical crane mounted on a truck, an AT carrier, or an RT carrier and the charts would be very close, the truck may actually have a better chart if it has an over the rear chart too.
 
Same model. Shawmut is our dealer, and they love us, as we love them. I am sure they borrowed the pic from our site. its nicer than the one on Groves site!

believe it or not we aren't the only ones who own a 2004 3055 in this area. just the only tree service.......
 
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