01. Project
Two 60te rail machines loaded in one day
A German rail company bought two rail machines in the UK and needed them loaded onto transport for export. Each weighed 60,000kg. We quoted straight away and carried out the lifts four days later.
The weight and length of the machines and the space on site led us to plan a tandem lift with two cranes rather than one larger crane, which was safer and cost less. Each machine was brought alongside the cranes on the track and raised just clear so its weight and stability could be checked, then lifted clear. The trailer was reversed underneath and the machine was lowered on and secured. Once the first was away, the second machine drove itself into position along the track and we repeated the lift. The machines had to reach the port on time, so the lift had to work first time.
02. 3D View
Explore the lift in 3D
A model of the lift, built to the figures in our lift plan. Drag to spin it round and tap a number to see what each part of the job involved. Press Play the lift to watch both machines loaded, or Lift plan to see the key dimensions.
Illustrative model based on our lift plan.
03. Resources
Cranes, tackle and team
Cranes
A Demag AC 100-4L with 39.5te of counterweight and 24.8m of main boom working at 8m radius, and a Terex AC 140 Compact with 43te of counterweight and 25.4m of main boom working at 10m radius. Each machine was shared equally between them, 30te to each crane. The Demag was set up on an 8.1m by 7.2m outrigger base and the Terex on 7.2m by 7.0m.
Ground and Set-up
One crane set up on a modular outrigger matting system, so it could fully rig straight away and then offload steel pans for the second crane to set up on. The Demag’s maximum outrigger load of 48te went down on 1.8m by 1.8m modular mats, a ground bearing pressure of 14.8t/m², and the Terex’s 73te on 2.5m by 1.5m mats, 19.5t/m².
Tackle
Each crane carried a 2.5m, 50te modular spreader beam on two 4m endless slings, assembled on the ground and torqued up. A 12m endless sling passed under the machine at its lifting point, about 1m in from each end.
Team
Our Appointed Person planned the lift and acted as lift supervisor on the day. On site we also provided two crane operators, a slinger/signaller and a rigger/banksman, all working by two-way radio.
04. Timeline
From enquiry to both machines loaded
05. Outcome
What it meant for the client
Both machines were loaded on time for their journey to the port. A tandem lift adds complexity, but with the right plan it can be the safer and more economical answer to a heavy, awkward load.
06. Gallery
Photos from site
Two cranes set up for a tandem lift
60te rail machine lowered onto a trailer