Heavy Lifting News
Case Studies on Innovative Problem Solving
Synchronous Lift Enables Bearing Repair for 630-ton Coal Handler
11/21/2023
Typically, replacing a bearing is not a big undertaking. That was not the case at a power plant in West Virginia. Why? The bearing was in a coal reclaimer/stacker, underneath 630 tons of equipment. Not only did the top of the reclaimer/stacker need to be lifted and later lowered; it also had to be held securely in place for nearly two weeks while engineers replaced the bearing.
While the plant’s contractor had the expertise to do the bearing replacement, the company lacked the equipment for a load of this magnitude. They needed a quick solution. Getting the coal moving again was essential, as thousands of households and businesses relied on the plant to generate the region’s electricity.
The contractor turned to Engineered Rigging for bare rental of a synchronous lift system which featured four 223-ton dual acting hydraulic cylinders, a split-flow pump and a synchronization kit.
The system features a master network control panel that monitors the stroke sensors and pressure transducers to synchronize the four cylinders during the lifting and lowering operations. The system’s standard configuration can precisely control up to 16 lift points.
“This is a much more accurate system than what we have used in the past,” said the contractor’s onsite supervisor.
Engineered Rigging delivered the equipment to the plant in early September. We provided a trained, onsite technician to provide technical support when the contractor’s crew used the synchronous lift system to lift the top of the reclaimer/stacker and hold it in place. He returned in two weeks to oversee the lowering of the load.
“Engineered Rigging’s equipment came in great shape and was straightforward to set up. Having their technician on site kept us moving, and we did each movement in one day,” said the site supervisor. “This was turnkey. They shipped the right equipment and provided the expertise. I will definitely call Engineered Rigging again.”
Rental equipment was a practical solution for a number of reasons.
