Tandem Lift

Client: Baltic Distribution – Baltic Wharf, Rochford, Essex

A 21 metre – 14 tonne tannalising vessel had reached the end of its useful life. Unfortunately, the window to replace it had come during a period of nationwide high winds causing a spike in demand of the fence posts, panels and timber, produced by the process. This meant the client needed the absolute minimum of down-time. Also, various crane hire companies had been to view the project and demanded that the roof section above the vessel be removed to allow clear vertical access. The client was very reluctant to do this, not only because of the cost, but the age and construction of the warehouse and the invasive nature of the partial demolition that was requested would have in all probability, rendered the structure useless.

So they contacted TruckAndCrane and between us we worked up a plan to send 2 vehicles – a VOLVO Unit c/w PM50 -50 tonne metre and an MAN 4 axle rigid c/w FASSI 660 – 66 t/m. We overnighted nearby and arrived at 08.01h as the last batch was removed from  the vessel and the fluid was drained down.

We positioned & rigged and performed a tandem lift, bringing the tank to the outside of the bund wall.

With both cranes having full-remote control, the operators could position themselves relative to the load and each other, allowing safe working & ease of communication between them.

The trucks moved off, allowing the customers own forklifts to remove the old tank and return with the brand new one.

Once back in situ, the new tank was placed precisely where the old unit came out.

Job done… and the engineering team had the rig back up and running shortly afterwards.