Sarens takes to the air with Boeing lift
12 February 2015 by Daniel SearleThe South African division of heavy lift specialist Sarens has lifted a Boeing 737-300 aircraft across a highway.
The crane company used its LTM1400, AC500 and AC200 hydraulic cranes to lift the 25t aeroplane, which had its engines removed and portions of the wings and tail clipped, making the vehicle 33.35m long, 18m wide and 5m high.
The 737-300, which was moved on behalf of South African aviation company Comair, was transported from the OR Tambo International Airport across the R21 highway in Kempton Park, to the Comair training centre where it will be used as a real-life evacuation trainer.
The project took place overnight, with several roads temporarily closed including the main access route to the airport.
Glen Warden, commercial operations manager for Comair, said: "This operation is the first ever of its sort in South Africa, probably even in Africa. The project co-ordination between the various parties has been paramount. Especially the professionalism and operation excellence shown by the Sarens team, which is something to behold. Whenever you see a large Sarens crane at any site around the world, people should know how much of a specialist job this is."
