For Immediate Release

August 9, 2004

Manitiowoc Model 21000 Demonstrates Lifting Power in Gulf of Mexico

Manitowoc's Model 21000 completed what is believed the first solo lift of an offshore platform deck in Latin America.

A Model 21000 crawler owned by ESEASA, Mexico’s largest crane rental company, has significantly cut construction times associated with an offshore oil drilling platform intended for the Gulf of Mexico. It is believed to be the first time in Latin America that a single crane has been used to lift the platform deck instead of multiple machines. The crane was deployed by joint venture contractors ICA Fluor Daniels Construction who acted on behalf of state-owned oil and gas company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex).

Equipped with a MAX-ER™ trailing counterweight attachment and boasting 1,000 USt of lifting capacity, the Model 21000 easily picked the 500 t (551 USt) prefabricated deck assembly onto the platform’s eight legs. The advantage of lifting an offshore platform deck in one large section was that all pipe work and other systems could be installed easily and safely at ground level. This, plus the single lift into position, were what reduced construction times.

It was decided to use the Model 21000 with 73 m (240 ft) of boom, as the drilling platform was being built in a congested area of the fabrication yard, where required movement of the deck section necessitated the use of a single large crane. “We had no other option but to use one big crane,” said Richard Conliffe, ICA Fluor Daniel’s site supervisor. “But if ESEASA hadn’t had its Model 21000 at our disposal, we would have had to erect the 500-ton platform in much smaller pieces. The 21000 saved both time and money, by allowing us to build entire modules on the ground rather than in multiple pieces high up on the platform itself.”

Having only one crane to control also brought the advantage of not needing to coordinate several cranes in unison for a controlled lift. “It was more straightforward,” explained Conliffe, “we lifted, rotated, and ‘walked’ the platform section about 20 m (66 ft).”

Of course, the advantage of having just one crane had to be balanced with considerations about ground-bearing capacity. To overcome any potential problems, ESEASA laid a layer of timber matting on top of compacted ground. Its Model 21000 was also fitted with an eight crawler OCTA-TRAC® attachment to minimize ground-bearing pressure.

The single-section deck pick took a little over five hours from initial lift to final setting. “Everything went exactly as planned and we encountered no problems,” said Conliffe.

About The Manitowoc Company
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes, tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line of cold-focused equipment for the foodservice industry. In addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the US maritime industry.

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For More Information Contact:
Tom Cioni
Manitowoc Crane Group
Tel: + 1 920 683 6510
E-mail: tcioni@manitowoccranes.com

Ben Shaw
SE10 Creative
Tel: +44 1829 549609
E-mail: shaw@se10.com

About The Manitowoc Company
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is one of the world's largest providers of lifting equipment for the global construction industry, including lattice-boom cranes,tower cranes, mobile telescopic cranes, and boom trucks. As a leading manufacturer of ice-cube machines, ice/beverage dispensers, and commercial refrigeration equipment, the company offers the broadest line of cold-focused equipment for the foodservice industry. In addition, the company is a leading provider of shipbuilding, ship repair, and conversion services for government, military, and commercial customers throughout the U.S. maritime industry.

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For More Information Contact: