USA projects round up

Tri-Cities, Washington
A Tadano ATF 130G-5 all terrain crane was used at the 2015 HAPO Gold Cup to handle four of the competing hydroplanes.

This year's event marked the 50-year anniversary of the annual Unlimited Hydroplane Racing event, held on the Columbia River and contested between Richland, Kennewick and Pasco, Washington.

The crane was donated to the event by Ray Poland & Sons, which purchased the ATF 130G- 5 in March 2015. The company also supplied an operator, a water truck, a small fire truck, and a compressed air foam system for tackling any methanol fuel fires.

The four hydroplanes handled by the crane included Oh Boy! Oberto, the overall winner of the Gold Cup.

Clarksville, Tennessee
Kentucky's Sterett Crane & Rigging transported a 140t vessel from Tennessee to Michigan using a combination of six and eight axles of Scheuerle's Highway Giant trailer with 150t-capacity bolsters.

The integrated folding mechanism of the Highway Giant enabled the company to load the vehicle modules onto standard trailers for transportation between its Owensboro, Kentucky headquarters and the Clarksvillle, Tennessee site without any special permissions required.

Tres Sterett, owner of Sterett Crane & Rigging, said of the Highway Giant: "This vehicle concept has put us ahead of the competition as a freight forwarder. We can react faster to customer requests and, what has become very important in our market, pass on our savings to the customer to offer him the best possible price."

Atlanta, Georgia
A Maeda mini crane was used by contractor Brasfield & Gorrie to remove large structural components from the Georgia Aquarium.

The Alabama-based company moved the components out of the aquarium -- the largest in the US, at more than 600,000 sq ft -- to create space for a new sea lion enclosure.

Due to limited access, the contractor rented a Maeda MC 405 CRME mini crane from Maeda distributor ML Cranes & Equipment. The trackmounted crane has a maximum lift height of 67ft 10in, a capacity of 8,400lb, a 54in width and an outrigger spread that fits within a 20ft square area. Brasfield & Gorrie used the full reach of the five-section telescopic boom, and moved loads of up to 5,400lb.

Todd Hamby, project superintendent, said: "Initially we thought of cutting a hole in a wall for crane access but the Maeda crawled right into the freight elevator and powered itself into position.

"We are gutting an existing space which is below grade. This includes elevated concrete slabs and structural steel that was part of the original display. It would have been a lot harder without the Maeda. The schedule is pretty aggressive on this project and we have been able to get a few days ahead with the help of the mini-crane."