Successful Overhead Crane Beam Replacement in Steel Mill Using Advanced Hydraulic Jack-Up Systems
Hydraulic Jack-Up System, Strand Jack, and SPMT Applications for Heavy Lift Logistics
In heavy industrial environments, heavy lift equipment plays a critical role in minimizing downtime and ensuring operational safety. At a domestic steel mill in China, an overhead crane beam required replacement while production remained active. The beam was positioned approximately 20 meters above a second-floor platform, with only a 72-hour shutdown window. To support the project safely and efficiently, the contractor utilized a combination of modular lifting and transport solutions supplied by KIET Hydraulics.
Project Constraints and Equipment Application
From an equipment application perspective, several factors shaped the lifting operation:
Limited Vertical Clearance
The crane beam’s high placement required a lifting system capable of reaching nearly 25 meters while maintaining stability throughout the process.
Confined Working Area
Narrow corridors and limited floor load capacity made traditional mobile cranes unsuitable. Precise maneuvering of lifting equipment was essential.
Compressed Execution Schedule
To minimize production disruption, all lifting, placement, and removal activities had to be completed within the 72-hour timeframe.
Harsh Industrial Conditions
Elevated temperatures, dust, and continuous mill operations demanded durable, reliable equipment with inherent safety features.
These constraints guided the selection of a hydraulic jack-up systems, strand jacks, and Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT) for this operation.
Modular Jack-Up Towers and Strand Jack Integration
SPMT as Mobile Base
A 24-axle SPMT served as the mobile foundation, allowing the jack-up towers to be assembled in a more accessible area before precise positioning beneath the crane structure. Its multidirectional maneuverability was critical for navigating the confined second-floor platform.
Hydraulic Jack-Up Towers for Primary Lifting
Four 250-ton modular jack-up towers from Kiet’s JS Series were used. Each tower features stackable steel barrels that lock mechanically during lifting, forming a self-supporting load-bearing column. This design ensures stability without relying solely on hydraulic pressure.
Strand Jacks for Precision Positioning
Steel strand jacks installed at the apex of the jack-up towers enabled fine adjustments during the final positioning of the crane beam. By separating bulk lifting from precision placement, the system minimized misalignment risks and maintained safe load control.
Safety-Oriented System Characteristics
- Synchronous Lifting Control: All jack-up towers operated via a multi-point system, maintaining level lifting within millimeter tolerances.
- Mechanical Load Holding: Steel barrels lock the load mechanically, reducing dependency on hydraulic pressure.
- Side Load Resistance: The system accommodates minor lateral shifts or drafts, providing extra stability.
- Compact Layout: Self-contained hydraulic units minimize hoses and auxiliary equipment, keeping the work area organized and safer.
Safety-Oriented System Characteristics
- Zero safety incidents
- On-time completion within 72 hours
- Reduced operational costs, avoiding massive crane rentals and structural modifications
This demonstrates how KIET Hydraulics' modular systems, strand jacks, and SPMTs can effectively support heavy lift projects in confined, high-elevation industrial environments.
Explore Similar Heavy Lift Applications
KIET Hydraulics provides equipment solutions for:
- Engineering logistics services
- Project cargo transport
- Offshore module installation
- Oil & Gas heavy lifts
Discover more Steel Structure Projects, explore our SPMT solutions, or discuss your project requirements with our technical team.
Contact our team to evaluate system suitability and lifting configuration for your next heavy lift project.