Heavy Lifting News
Case Studies on Innovative Problem Solving
SyncHoist Provides Precise Positioning of Asymmetrical Bridge Beams
04/15/2025
How do you replace a 1.1-mile railway bridge, a relic of 1889 stretching across Chile’s Biobío River, while keeping both commuters and trains on the move? The answer, involving the precise placement of 334 pylons and 62 steel beams, was a complex enough process handled by two cranes and a specialty beam launcher, however a special challenge was posed by three uniquely asymmetrical beams. Their installation, a delicate operation above a busy highway and active railway, demanded an ingenious solution within the tight constraints of a single crane’s reach.
Tecnogruas, the Latin America leader in heavy load handling, was contracted to lift and place the three asymmetrical beams which weighed 118 tons, 152 tons and 195 tons. To accommodate the congested work area and safely balance the load, Tecnogruas opted to rent four Enerpac Synchronous Hoists (SyncHoists) from Engineered Rigging’s Latin American rental fleet. The Enerpac Synchronous Hoist, a below-the-hook lifting device, provides precise vertical load positioning when used with a crane. PLC-controlled hydraulics control this high accuracy load positioning system.
Prior to the specialized lifting operation, the SyncHoist cylinders were attached to the crane between the heavy rigging slings and the beam via shackles earning the cylinders the name “sling-adjusters”. (see photo below). The SyncHoist Cylinders adjusted to the middle of stroke range were set and the crane operator snugged the load via the heavy lift crane. Once in the air, the operator adjusted the individual SyncHoist Cylinders via the PLC Controlled Diesel Hydraulic Power unit, leveling the load before lifting the beam into position. The SyncHoist system optimized safety and efficiency by accurately positioning each beam with a single lift and no unnecessary rigging changes.
When completed, the new railway bridge will connect the communities of Concepción and San Pedro de la Paz and will feature 1.1 mile-long, two-track ballasted bridge which will allow passenger and cargo trains to cross at speeds up to 62 mph. To learn more about the Synchronous Hoist system, keep reading.
Featured Equipment: Synchronous Hoist
When properly specified the combination of a heavy lift crane and the Enerpac Synchronous Hoist System (also called a hydraulic turnbuckle) can be used to precisely position an unbalanced heavy load. A single operator can control the load leveling operation using a PLC controlled hydraulic unit via pendant control or even a wireless unit. In addition to automatic lifting and lowering, each cylinder can be managed independently for leveling, positioning and tilting heavy loads.
The Enerpac SyncHoist range includes standard cylinders with 60, 94 and 120-ton lifting capacities and strokes of 39.4 and 59 inches with high precision position accuracy of +/- 0.04 inches. Specialty cylinders are available with alternative capacity and stroke.
Key Features
- Load capacities up to 375 tons per point and beyond
- Strokes ranging from under 1’ to 5’
- Manual, automatic and wireless models
- Load and stroke monitoring
The innovative Synchronous Host system is used in a variety of settings including bridge construction, steel erection, port upgrades, refineries, shipbuilding, power & energy plants, and stadium construction. Curious about the Synchronous Hoist System? Contact our heavy lifting experts at 844.474.4448 or sales@engineeredrigginggroup.com.
