The import/export shipping specialist, TIBA Group, was managing the delivery of three locomotives scheduled to arrive at Chile’s Terminal Cerros de Valparaíso (TCVAL) in November 2021. Knowing that they had to unload the three engines as quickly as possible to control costly port fees, TIBA Group contacted Engineered Rigging (ER) and our South American partner TECNOGRUAS, to develop a lift plan that would safely expedite the removal of the three train engines from the ship, transport them 1 kilometer to the port’s railway system and lift them onto the railroad tracks.
The train engines were massive, each one weighing 150 tons and measuring 21 meters long and 4.5 meters high. Our engineers quickly went to work, assessing the load, ship dimensions and port guidelines, and conducting several engineering studies. The winning plan identified the use of an Enerpac Super Boom Lift (SBL500) gantry, an Enerpac SSU300 powered slide shift, and two Goldhofer PST/SL-E6 self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). With 12 axles and pivoting wheel assemblies, the SPMTs can move forward, backward and sideways. The locomotives would be removed sequentially.
On November 23, the cargo arrived as planned on the M/N Maryland, and ER/TECNOGRUAS had technical personnel on site to set up the gantry system and a power side shift adjacent to the railroad track. They also positioned the SPMTs next to the cargo vessel.
On November 24, our ER/TECNOGRUAS crew of nine put the plan into action. Once the first locomotive was placed onto the nimble SPMT, our technician navigated the trailer through the port to the gantry. Our technicians secured the load and expertly lifted the 150-ton locomotive off of the SPMT using the gantry equipped with the powered side shift. The technical team then used the powered side shift to move the locomotive above the railroad tracks. The gantry system then lowered the locomotive onto the tracks The team repeated the maneuver two times. The three locomotives were unloaded and transported to the tracks in just nine hours.
“By combining innovative engineering with our in-house fleet of heavy lifting rental equipment, Engineered Rigging and our Latin American team at TECNOGRUAS completed the locomotive project at TCVAL in a fast, safe and efficient manner,” shared Arnol Salicetti, ER’s representative in Chile.
Featured Equipment
Hydraulic Gantry
- Precision lift and position of heavy loads
- Self-contained hydraulics
- Intelli-Lift wireless control
- Optimizes safety
- Lifting capacities from 110 to 1178 tons
SPMTs
- Modular design
- Remote wireless control
- Equalized suspension
- Hydraulic power units
- Fast & easy delivery
Getting to know Mike Beres
Mike Beres, a native of Michigan, has worked for Engineered Rigging since summer of 2020. As Director, Mike is heavily involved in projects within the company working on internal continuous improvement initiatives as well as external signature projects helping to lead the company into the future. What does Director mean? Really it depends on the day, but Mike’s strong background in heavy lifting equipment and technology allow him to be involved in a bit of everything helping poise Engineered Rigging for growth.
“It’s exciting working with Engineered Rigging’s founders Christopher Cox and Eddy Kitchen, and the entire ER team to put ideas into application,” shared Mike.
Besides work, Mike is an avid runner on a streak running at least two miles every day since April 1, 2020. He’s quickly approaching the 700 continuous day marker. Recent running accomplishments include running his first half marathon in November 2021 with his sister Martha, her husband Mark, as well as Engineered Rigging’s Christopher Cox, who are also on a running streak of their own and part of his support team. In addition to running, Mike actively cheers on his three children at their sporting activities and works on never-ending home remodeling projects.
Have a new challenge or project opportunity? Reach out to Mike at mberes@engineeredrigging.com or 810-588-7442. You can also connect with Mike on Linked In.
