US-based Liftech, a well-known name in the field of crane design, has developed a new crane concept working in collaboration with Shanghai-headquartered crane manufacturer ZPMC – the Articulated Balance Crane.
The Balance Crane has reduced wheel and tie down loads compared to a standard ship-to-shore (STS) container crane. The design originated by Liftech is in the order of eight per cent lower than a standard crane in terms of total weight and the wheel loads, in both operating and stowed modes, are around 15 per cent lower. The boom is continuous from the landside legs to the boom tip. The landside girder is connected to the boom with a parallel linkage.
To clear the vessel bridge, the boom and upper works rotate as a unit about waterside. The machinery house and shortened trolley girder landside of the landside leg remain horizontal while translating in a downward arc. The net result, Liftech underlines, is a “stowed crane with a lower centre of gravity and reduced overturning moment due to stowed wind loads. In the operating position,” the company further points out, “there will be reduced trolley rail hinge maintenance due to fewer trolley cycles crossing the hinge relocated to the landside. The Liftech Web Site features a video showing the key design features and ability of the Balance Crane’s boom to be raised in line with operational requirements as well as other key actions.
