Crane boom realignment.

NXGEN were contacted by our client to assist them with the realignment of a container crane boom.  The boom had been damaged by a container vessel.  Our clients scope of work was to repair and realign the crane boom. 

The first stage of the project was to jack down the boom. Our engineering team completed the design of the jacking and skidding scheme to ensure that the vertical loading remained within the allowable ground bearing pressures. Load spreading mats and steel stands were set out at predetermined positions in preparation for NXGEN’s climbing jack system to safely undertake the jacking activities. The crane boom required adjustment to a high tolerance with precise movement, the boom and was then surveyed and in order to achieve the required tolerances, NXGEN mobilised our hydraulic skid shoes, each skid shoe has a capacity of 125Te, which would prove to be an ideal solution for our clients challenges. 

Once the survey was completed a plan was made to realign the crane boom.  Firstly the fixed end of the boom was fixed to the support steelwork.  Plates were welded for security and slowly the skid shoe main cylinders were activated to lift the boom a few millimetres clear. The push pull rams were then activated to move the boom approx. 300mm back in line.  A survey was retaken and the levels checked, once all was OK, the temporary support steelwork was re aligned.  The skid shoe main cylinder was then lowered, the crane boom levels and alignment were finally rechecked. NXGEN provided strength and stability checks for all of the temporary conditions throughout the operation, as well as providing the method statements and risk assessments to complete the operational activities.

Once in the final position our client continued to repair the crane boom.  On completion of the required repairs, NXGEN returned to site to jack the crane boom back to the original height ready for transport back to the crane.