Manitowoc MLC650 cranes on the Champlain Bridge site
Two Manitowoc MLC650s are working on a project to replace the Champlain Bridge that spans the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Canada.
The engineering consortium - Signature on the Saint Lawrence Construction (SSLC) – is assigned to the task. The capacity and reduced ground preparation made possible by the MLC650’s VPC-MAX attachment – as well as the ease of use of its Crane Control System (CCS) – are helping the team stay on schedule.
The Champlain Bridge connects one of North America’s busiest roadways, with more than 50 million cars, buses and trucks crossing its 3.4km span each year.
Replacement of the bridge is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Canada and the neighbouring US. The 42-month project began in June 2015 and is scheduled for completion in December 2018.
SSLC was chosen by the Canadian government to carry out design, construction, financing, operations, maintenance and rehabilitation of the New Champlain Bridge Corridor Project. SSLC consists of Montreal, Quebec-based SNC; Toronto, Ontario-based4761 Dragados Canada; Richmond, British Colombia-based 2758 Flatiron Constructors Canada; and L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec-based EBC. The initiative is being conducted under a public-private partnership agreement with the government of Canada.
Andre Mylocopos, approaches manager for SSLC, said the company chose the 650tonne MLC650 because of the Variable Position Counterweight’s (VPC) ability to enable high-capacity lifts with minimal adjustments. The crane needs to be setup only once and its counterweight is adjusted automatically based on each lift. The optional VPC-MAX attachment raises the crane’s capacity to 700tonnes using fewer components and assembly steps than traditional attachments.
“The MLC650 has better chart than other cranes in its class for the work envelope defined on this project,” he said. “We are able to perform most lifts at less than 90% capacity, so this gives us a comfortable safety margin.
“The VPC-MAX is instrumental in giving us that headroom without having to drag a wagon behind the crane. We actually eliminated a number of cranes from consideration because they couldn’t meet our needs without a wagon, which is a major constraint due to the limited work area. The MLC650s were ready to go upon erection.”
The cranes are tasked with lifting 200tonne steel girders for the bridge’s east approach. The dual MLC650s will then be used to lift 80tonne precast concrete segments to construct the cable-stay bridge pylon, followed by a tandem lift to erect the 400tonne lower cross beam.
After the completion of the cross beam, the MLC650s will be used to construct temporary support towers and erect 200tonne pier caps and additional girders.
The MLC650 features the CCS system which maintains a standardised operating platform across all of2123 Manitowoc’s newer crane models. Yan Duguay, a crane operator for SSLC, said that the company’s operators found the MLC650 easy to use, thanks to the intuitive controls made possible by CCS.
“Our operators are enjoying the MLC650’s controls,” he explained. “Compared to other cranes I’ve used, the computer system in the MLC650 seems easier to operate. That simplicity is crucial on a site where time and safety are utmost concerns. Since we’re using just Manitowoc cranes for the bridge replacement, the uniformity of easy-to-use controls makes the job site more productive.”
As with all Manitowoc cranes, the MLC650 also performs well in low temperatures, making it particularly well-suited for tough jobs in Canada.
“In Canada, we need cranes that can stand up to the elements. Manitowoc cranes perform well in extremely challenging weather conditions, which makes them ideal for the Canadian climate,” Mylocopos explained.
“When you combine those factors with intuitive controls, you can see how Manitowoc cranes are helping SSLC maintain uniformity and productivity on the job site. We’re on track to complete the bridge in 2018 and we’re counting on the MLC650 and the rest of our Manitowoc fleet to be a big part of that success.”
The MLC650s are not the only Manitowoc cranes aiding SSLC in its bridge building efforts. The construction team’s fleet also includes a 270tonne Manitowoc 2250, four 400tonne Manitowoc 16000s, two 1,300tonne ringer-enabled Manitowoc M250s, seven 136tonne Grove RT9150Es and two 118tonne Grove RT9130E-2s.
The M250s, each equipped with an M-1200 ringer attachment, will be installed on barges nearly 2,800m² in area to lift pier caps and girders on the water. The Grove cranes will perform smaller tasks, such as general loading and unloading, support, access and erection of smaller structures and components.
SSLC procured the MLC650s from Strongco, a seller and renter of industrial equipment for multiple industries including construction, road building, mining and forestry. Founded more than 40 years ago, the Mississauga, Ontario-based company is the sole distributor of Manitowoc cranes across Canada and the northeastern US.
The engineering consortium - Signature on the Saint Lawrence Construction (SSLC) – is assigned to the task. The capacity and reduced ground preparation made possible by the MLC650’s VPC-MAX attachment – as well as the ease of use of its Crane Control System (CCS) – are helping the team stay on schedule.
The Champlain Bridge connects one of North America’s busiest roadways, with more than 50 million cars, buses and trucks crossing its 3.4km span each year.
Replacement of the bridge is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Canada and the neighbouring US. The 42-month project began in June 2015 and is scheduled for completion in December 2018.
SSLC was chosen by the Canadian government to carry out design, construction, financing, operations, maintenance and rehabilitation of the New Champlain Bridge Corridor Project. SSLC consists of Montreal, Quebec-based SNC; Toronto, Ontario-based
Andre Mylocopos, approaches manager for SSLC, said the company chose the 650tonne MLC650 because of the Variable Position Counterweight’s (VPC) ability to enable high-capacity lifts with minimal adjustments. The crane needs to be setup only once and its counterweight is adjusted automatically based on each lift. The optional VPC-MAX attachment raises the crane’s capacity to 700tonnes using fewer components and assembly steps than traditional attachments.
“The MLC650 has better chart than other cranes in its class for the work envelope defined on this project,” he said. “We are able to perform most lifts at less than 90% capacity, so this gives us a comfortable safety margin.
“The VPC-MAX is instrumental in giving us that headroom without having to drag a wagon behind the crane. We actually eliminated a number of cranes from consideration because they couldn’t meet our needs without a wagon, which is a major constraint due to the limited work area. The MLC650s were ready to go upon erection.”
The cranes are tasked with lifting 200tonne steel girders for the bridge’s east approach. The dual MLC650s will then be used to lift 80tonne precast concrete segments to construct the cable-stay bridge pylon, followed by a tandem lift to erect the 400tonne lower cross beam.
After the completion of the cross beam, the MLC650s will be used to construct temporary support towers and erect 200tonne pier caps and additional girders.
The MLC650 features the CCS system which maintains a standardised operating platform across all of
“Our operators are enjoying the MLC650’s controls,” he explained. “Compared to other cranes I’ve used, the computer system in the MLC650 seems easier to operate. That simplicity is crucial on a site where time and safety are utmost concerns. Since we’re using just Manitowoc cranes for the bridge replacement, the uniformity of easy-to-use controls makes the job site more productive.”
As with all Manitowoc cranes, the MLC650 also performs well in low temperatures, making it particularly well-suited for tough jobs in Canada.
“In Canada, we need cranes that can stand up to the elements. Manitowoc cranes perform well in extremely challenging weather conditions, which makes them ideal for the Canadian climate,” Mylocopos explained.
“When you combine those factors with intuitive controls, you can see how Manitowoc cranes are helping SSLC maintain uniformity and productivity on the job site. We’re on track to complete the bridge in 2018 and we’re counting on the MLC650 and the rest of our Manitowoc fleet to be a big part of that success.”
The MLC650s are not the only Manitowoc cranes aiding SSLC in its bridge building efforts. The construction team’s fleet also includes a 270tonne Manitowoc 2250, four 400tonne Manitowoc 16000s, two 1,300tonne ringer-enabled Manitowoc M250s, seven 136tonne Grove RT9150Es and two 118tonne Grove RT9130E-2s.
The M250s, each equipped with an M-1200 ringer attachment, will be installed on barges nearly 2,800m² in area to lift pier caps and girders on the water. The Grove cranes will perform smaller tasks, such as general loading and unloading, support, access and erection of smaller structures and components.
SSLC procured the MLC650s from Strongco, a seller and renter of industrial equipment for multiple industries including construction, road building, mining and forestry. Founded more than 40 years ago, the Mississauga, Ontario-based company is the sole distributor of Manitowoc cranes across Canada and the northeastern US.
