UK lifting specialist Ainscough Crane Hire has removed a redundant 130-tonne kiln section and replaced it with its successor on behalf equipment installation specialist Grayton and Hanson Cement Works in Ribblesdale, Clitheroe, UK.
Complex in nature, the project took 18 months of planning and engineering from first accepting the job to completing the works. This was due to a confined operating area, the project’s location on a slope, and the large size and weight of the kiln section – which weighed 130 tonnes, measured 22m long and 4.6m in diameter, and ran at a four-degree angle.
When Ainscough arrived on site it used 24m of heavy duty EKKI mats to create a level platform for its 800t lattice boom crane, the heaviest crane in the company’s fleet, to operate on. The crane had an area of just 18m wide to fit into, with outriggers positioned between one and 1.5m in height to level the slope.
The crane took three days to rig and operated with limited jib length and a radius of 26.5m. There was only a metre spare in which to raise the boom. Once rigged, a further challenge was that movements were limited by a gas duct in front of the kiln. The lift itself took ten days, with four being written-off due to high winds and additional work having to be carried out by Graytons.
Graham Lindley, technical manager at the Ribblesdale site, said: “As the UK’s leading crane hire company, we pride ourselves on being able to accept pretty much any contract. This project, however, was the ultimate test of our expertise. There were many factors at play with severe consequences for mismanagement, but by adhering to our Make the Safe Choice principles we completed the job with minimal complications.
“Through rigorous planning and perfect execution we were able to safely and properly remove and install the kiln section working closely with the Grayton team. I’m incredibly proud of the team for the professionalism displayed throughout the process. I’d also like to thank Grayton Limited and Hanson Cement for their close collaboration, brilliant organisations to work with who enabled us to complete our work smoothly and safely.”
Cody Sixsmith, account manager at Ainscough, said: “This difficult project underlines so much of what makes Ainscough unique in our offering. We’re the number one lifting solutions company in the UK for a reason, through our industry-leading lift experts, our drive to succeed and through to our collaborative work with customers to deliver the best service for them. I’m proud of my team for their commitment in securing such a competitive job and exhibiting why Ainscough is best at what we do.”
Carl Meale, operations director at Graytons, said: “This really was a challenging project during the planning stages and the execution stage. It had everything, changes to plan, changes to scope, bad weather conditions and short daylight operating conditions. Throw into that an already complex lifting operation it was a great challenge.
Thanks to the support of Graham and the whole of the Ainscough team along with close collaboration between our onsite rigging team, this job was completed safely and successfully. We look forward to the next challenging project which I am sure won’t be too far around the corner.”
