Hitachi uses Grove for installing stream generators

Vanguard's GTK 1100 telescopic all terrain crane will operate around the clock, lifting between two boilers.

It is installing boiler components for six 800MW steam generators over two years.

The 100t GTK 1100, with the ability to reach heights of up to 146m, has a footprint of 18 by 18m, Manitowoc says.

Vanguard shipped the crane from Melbourne, via Singapore, to South Africa.

Manitowoc sent an engineer to remove the boom in preparation for shipment.

After reaching South Africa, the disassembled crane fit into 10 truckloads, arriving at Medupi Power station five days later.
Craig Pace, general manager at Vanguard, said:

"By the time the 100-metre high boilers are built, coal conveyors will run parallel to the boilers blocking crawler cranes from exiting the site.

"The advantage of the GTK crane is that the boom can simply be lowered and then driven out beneath the coal conveyors, unlike the crawler cranes that require a large area for disassembling the boom.

"It can negotiate gaps of just 3,.5m and its self-erecting tower contributes to extremely fast set-up - ready for operation in just four to six hours."

Pace said the crane's small footprint meant it had applications in the petrochemical industry, the erection of windmills and in-harbour rigging.