New contracts for Konecranes UK

Konecranes UK has won four contracts for a total of 22 overhead cranes with a combined value of approximately $2m by July 2003.

Lifting capacities range from 10t to 80t and spans range from 10m to 28m.

Steelworks contractor Express Reinforcements has ordered 15 cranes for the Colnbrook Logistics Centre, which is supporting the construction of the new Terminal Five at London's Heathrow airport.

The cranes will handle rebar through the cutting, forming and finishing processes. Four of the cranes will have CXT hoists operating at M5-M6 classifications. Two of these will run a pair of 5t CXT hoists operating at fixed centres on the crane bridge.

Elsewhere, French contractor CNIM has ordered four cranes for a waste incinerator in Hampshire, UK. Under the $1m contract, two of the cranes are fitted with SM hoists and orange peel grabs. The specially-adapted trolleys are designed to reduce tension on the wire rope, and reduce the risk of snapping and snags. They work by feeding the power and control cables for the grab directly from the rope drum. They also wind the cable on the hoist drum so that it pays out at the same rate of feed as the hoist ropes, to avoid snags and damage. Because of the potential health hazards of working above waste matter, Konecranes has designed both units to be remotely operated by a single operator. CCTV, load print-outs and a touch-screen display will connect operator and cranes from an air-conditioned off-crane station. The control system can be made automatic later on, if required.

Konecranes UK's third new contract is from Foster Wheeler Energy, which has specified a 55t SWL and 80t SWL crane for the turbine halls of two new peat-fired power plants in Lough Ree and West Offaly, Ireland. Each crane will include premium condition monitoring to help minimise maintenance downtime and plot the cranes' performance over the expected lifetime. They also come with Remox remote control. This contract is worth in the region of $600,000.

Jaguar Cars at Halewood has specified a single 50t crane based on an SM hoist with DynAHoist variable speed control.

All of the cranes come with Konecranes' AC frequency control system, floodlights, platforms, motion limit switches, pendant controls, enclosed transmissions and festoon cables.