An Igo 50 self-erecting crane from Potain has replaced the foundations of three large caustic storage tanks at an awkward and hazardous job site in New Zealand.
The 4 t capacity Igo 50 was erected between the tanks and lifted materials and equipment over a 2 m tall perimeter wall, which encloses the hazardous area. Adding to the challenge, each tank was suspended 4 m off the ground by a temporary steel frame, effectively adding a second perimeter fence high off the ground.
Manitowoc’s New Zealand dealer Tidd Ross Todd supplied the Igo 50 to contactor Brian Perry Civil for the six-month job, which took place at a chemical processing plant near Tauranga. The crane was central to the success of the project, as Ben Ackerman, project engineer at Brian Perry Civil, explains:
“The Igo 50 was the perfect solution for this logistical nightmare,” he says. “With no way of accessing the site other than through the air, we needed a crane with a small enough footprint and precise load control to carefully maneuver loads around the job site. We were very impressed with the crane’s performance, which enabled us to complete the project on time.”
The Igo 50 was placed between the tanks by a 300 t capacity Grove GMK6300L, also provided by Tidd Ross Todd. Once in position, the team used the Igo’s remote control to lift and place loads carefully, while maintaining optimal visibility throughout the lift process.
The Igo 50 is the largest self-erecting crane in Potain’s Igo range. It features a 40 m jib and can lift 1.1 t at jib end. It is designed with a small rear slewing radius to ensure maneuverability even at the most congested job site.
Tidd Ross Todd is a transport and lifting specialist based in Hamilton on the north island. Established in 1967, the company’s 160 employees provide the complete range of Potain tower cranes, Manitowoc crawler cranes, Grove mobile cranes and National Crane boom trucks to customers throughout New Zealand.
The chemical processing plant is run by Orica, New Zealand’s largest supplier of chemical products.
