For Immediate Release

May 3, 2005

Manitowoc lattice boom cranes work power plant

Manitowoc Model 777 at WE Energies Pleasant Prairie power plant.

A host of Manitowoc lattice boom crawler cranes are working at We Energies Pleasant Prairie Power Plant. The cranes have been supplied by Dawes Crane & Rigging – an All Erection company – to project management company Washington Group International. The list of Manitowoc iron is impressive, comprising Model 4100, Model 777 and Model 888 units, as well as a Model 18000, the second largest crawler crane available from Manitowoc Crane Group. It is fitted with the Manitowoc’s MAX-ER attachment, boosting capacity from 600 t (660 USt) to 750 t (825 USt). In addition, a 90 t (100 USt) Grove 9100 rough terrain buzzes the job site, picking and placing materials upon demand.

The cranes are on long-term rental by Washington Group from Dawes to lift in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) modules. Each module contains 96 bundles of catalyst These units are integral components to remove nitrous oxides from the flue gas.

One of the most impressive displays of engineering on this job site is how Dawes rigged its 181 t (200 USt) capacity Model 777 Series II crawler in an area no wider than around 21 m (70 ft) among a maze of pipes and components. “We had to strip the crane of boom and reassemble it again,” says Mike Wood, sales manager at Dawes, “allowing it to squeeze in between pipe racks and two power plants.”

The Model 777 has been rigged with 42 m (140 ft) of main boom and a 33.5 m (110 ft) luffing jib that allows up and over movement. It is fitted with the maximum counterweight of 84 t (186,000 lb) and is hard at work erecting SCR support and access steel. A Manitowoc Model 888 Series II, rigged with 45 m (150 ft) of main boom and 33.5 m (110 ft) of luffing jib, and a Manitowoc Model 4100 Series II are erecting steel for a Flue Gas Desulphurization system.

Star of the show is Manitowoc’s Model 18000 – one of two Dawes has in its rental fleet. Washington Group International had previously utilized a Manitowoc 2250 with MAXER when performing SCR work on the Unit 2 section of the power station some two years ago. Now it chose the mighty Model 18000 rigged with 80 m (260 ft) of Manitowoc # 55 main boom and 64 m (210 ft) of # 79A luffing jib. The biggest lift the Model 18000 has performed to date was lifting in a 50 t (110,000 lb) load at 80 m (260 ft). Pick and placement of an SCR module takes about 45 minutes in total.

Dan Price, Washington Group’s site manager at the project is pleased with how the cranes have performed. “The challenge has been to get the SCR units up and over a conveyor that provides coal to the power plant, but the Manitowoc cranes made it possible. Dawes and Manitowoc worked well for us when we worked on this site in the past and we built up confidence in the dealer and manufacturer. The service each provided has been top notch.”

High Resolution Photo (1.23 MB)

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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