New 33m spreader beam completes first job

The new MOD 1100/2000t spreader beam at 33m span, which was the latest addition to Modulift’s modular range of DNV Type Approved spreader beams, has been used in its very first lift in Dover in the UK. The successful first lift was carried out by its new owner, heavy lifting rental company, Safe Lifting Europe BV for its customer Bonn & Mees Floating Cranes.

The new modular spreader beam was transported using two trucks from the yard of Safe Lifting Europe BV to Bonn & Mees Floating Cranes in Rotterdam. Bonn & Mees Floating Cranes used two of its largest floating sheerlegs to lift and store the MOD 1100/2000t spreader beam before it was shipped to Dover where the spreader beam would be lifting two parts of a bridge.

As part of the lifting configuration, an additional two Modulift MOD 400 spreader beams were used. The assembly of the MOD 1100/2000 took the team at Safe Lifting Europe BV one full working day using an electric torque wrench, enabling them to work at a much faster pace.

Giovani Vroegop, technical commercial manager for Safe Lifting Europe BV says, “It was incredible to see the new MOD 1100/2000t spreader beam up in the air for the first time. The team at Modulift did a great job with the design and manufacture of the beam. The sheer size of the beam can only be really appreciated when you’re up close, it really is huge. Our team and Bonn & Mess Floating Cranes worked meticulously hard to ensure the lift was a success.”

John Baker, commercial director for Modulift says, “We were delighted to be a part of this success and look forward to seeing the MOD 1100/2000t being used in many more lifts in the future. Part of the project to supply this ‘beast’ of a beam, required Modullift’s compressive test bed to be extended to 33m and increased in capacity to 2300t which was quite a project in itself. The MOD 1100 /2000t spreader beam really is impressive to see and our in-house engineering team are already looking at further opportunities with Safe Lifting in the super heavy lifting market. Watch this space.”