100-Ton Link-Belt HTC-86100 Helps Construct Two-Story Cruise Terminal

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“The HTC-86100 gives us the capacity and reach that we need for the greater radius steel assembly without moving the crane,” says operator Ray Schonk. (Photo courtesy of Link-Belt.)

Florida Atlantic Ironworks was recently awarded a contract for the largest port project in Port Canaveral, Florida, history, a job that required lifting and placing 1,600 tons of steel. The port project created a new 188,000-square-foot, two-story cruise terminal to dock a new Mardi Gras Carnival Cruise line ship. In addition to supporting the 20-deck cruise ship, the cruise terminal also included a six-story, 1,800-vehicle parking garage. Florida Atlantic Ironworks purchased Link-Belt’s 100-ton (90-metric-ton) HTC-86100 telescopic truck crane to lift and place the steel.

Up & Over

Prior to steel erection, up to 60-foot (18.2-meter) tilt wall panels were placed and fortified on the structure. It was the HTC-86100’s job to lift up to 7,200-pound (3,265-kilogram) columns and 4,000-lb (1,814-kg) beams to connect structural steel to precast exterior. Operator Ray Schonk used the crane’s 140-ft (42.6-m) main boom, with an additional 35-ft (10.6-m) of attached jib to give the HTC-86100 the capacity and reach to fly steel over the concrete tilt walls.

“The reason we went with the HTC-86100 instead of our smaller HTC-8675 (Series II) 75-ton (70-mt) crane is because of the high walls surrounding the crane,” says Schonk. “In order to hoist the 57-ft (17.3-m)-tall columns rigged vertically (for placement) over the tilt walls, we needed to have a lot of reach.”

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The HTC-81600 telescopic truck crane features a 140-foot main boom. (Photo courtesy of Link-Belt.)

Precision Placement

During steel placement at the furthest radius from the crane, radio communication and camera visuals helped Schonk lift and place. The open, two-way communication was critical for lining up bull pins and bolts used for connecting steel.

“I especially like one camera pointed at the drum once I lock my load and it’s coming down,” Schonk says. “When they need a fraction of an inch, I can give it to them. Having that camera there helps a lot more than just having a thumper in your hand. This way, I’m able to see so I can give them the precise measurement.”

Source: Link-Belt