The Edinburgh tram network has enlisted Street Crane Company to install a double girder travelling crane at the company’s Gogar depot.
The 6.3 tonne crane will be used to maintain a fleet of 27 trams and also support the group’s Unimog track maintenance vehicle.
The Street Crane equipment is used to transport parts of the seven-section trams that each span 42.9 metres and weigh around 56 tonnes. According to the supplier, the 19-metre crane features a 5.5 metre height of lift, spans three tracks within the depot and nearly the full length of the building.
Such equipment is considered essential for access and maintenance of the tram roof pantographs and also to service the pods on the roof that contain air-conditioning.
The crane has been configured within a limited height envelope and as a result, a top running carriage is installed which permits a maximum height of hook lift, promoting stability when transporting loads.
Integral to the installation is the Street Crane ZX84 wire rope hoist, which features overload protection and a fully-enclosed lubricated gearbox.
The crane is also used to both load and unload the firm’s Unimog track engineering vehicle that straddles the track for maintenance and repairs.
Dual speed operation is featured on all crane motions, available with 40/10 metres per minute in long travel configuration and 20/5 metres per minute in cross travel.