Valla Pick and Carry Crane for Shell Gas Application

Peter Hird and Sons Ltd, the sole UK distributor for Valla Cranes and UK distributor for 3B6 control systems, has supplied a Valla 120D pick and carry crane to Shell Ireland for maintenance work at a new gas plant. Shell used the crane to lift valve packs weighing up to 4,000kg.

Project managers and engineers are not always aware of the lifting solutions and maintenance capabilities pick and carry cranes offer. Often large cranes are used, adding huge hire costs and down time for relatively minor lifting problems.

Valla pick and carry cranes can get into very tight areas, where head room and access is a problem. It can often be a single point handling solution, lifting a load from point A and carrying it directly to point B, without the need for additional transport.

The 120D for Shell has a 12,000kg lifting capacity and diesel engine but Valla produces cranes with diesel power or DC electric power options. Shell opted for the 120D given its simplicity of operation for the maintenance staff who, after basic operator training, found the crane to be user friendly.

While such applications of the pick and carry crane simplify lifting operations, Valla pointed to the importance of a risk assessment, lift plan and method statement.

The crane had an additional hydraulic fly jib providing an overall maximum lifting height of 13m and 40 degree sweep, with a maximum load of 3,000kg. The crane can pick and carry up to a maximum of 12,000kg at minimum radius from the front of the crane. Throughout the load chart the crane can carry out a full range of pick and carry duties; the operator can see the weight carried at all times.

Hird operates from three locations in the UK, with each depot having access to a network of nationwide, factory-trained mobile service engineers. It has over 30 years of experience in the rent and sale of lifting and access equipment.