Case Study: eme Cantilever Gantry Crane

Kingston, Ontario, Kingston Gas, Kingston Water and Wastewater

Problem: The City of Kingston required a portable lifting device that could be utilized in several locations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to lift a variety of Pumps, Motors, Blowers and Valves. It also needed to be used at any Pumping Station which had no lifting device, as well as being available for use at the Gas-Monitoring Stations around the Kingston area.

The Gas-Monitoring Stations were the main challenge because there were Valves up against the walls. These Valves needed to be removed, but were inaccessible due to piping below and their location against the walls.

Solution: The City of Kingston contacted eme and requested a site demonstration of equipment and an examination of the problem. After reviewing the lifting situations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, eme Staff attended a meeting at the Gas-Monitoring Station to examine the piping layout and location of the Check-Valves against the wall.

After considering the needs of both the Wastewater Maintenance Staff and the needs of the Maintenance Staff at the Gas-Monitoring Station, eme Staff recommended the following:

One eme 4400M Aluminum Gantry Crane with 15-ft, 12-ft, 8-ft and 6.5 ft-Beams which could be interchanged and using only one set of the GANTRY-Crane Legs. eme also recommended the use of the Cantilever Package to allow the removal of the Gas-Check Valves from against the wall.

The eme Cantilever Package consisted of a specially drilled-and-marked 8-ft Beam, with the overhanging cantilever section rated at only 900 lbs. Also supplied were ten, 26-lb weights which were placed on a removable cross-brace.

The eme Cantilever Package was easily transported along with the GANTRY Crane, and when not required, could be removed and stored. This allowed the GANTRY Crane to be used as a normal Crane (capable of lifting 4,400 lbs), when lifts were between the legs. The Cantilever Package is a cost-effective, versatile option that can be retrofitted to any eme GANTRY Crane for special-purpose jobs.