The largest flat-top crane in North America has been erected at Paducah/McCracken County Riverport Authority (Riverport) in Kentucky.
With a maximum jib length of 60m, the Linden Comansa 30LC1450 can lift a maximum load of 48 tons to a height of 34.5m, or 37.2m in its Powerlift configuration. The new unit will replace the 20-ton capacity Linden 8000 flat-top tower crane that has been working at the port for almost four decades.
“Our Linden 8000 was erected in 1977 and served us well over a considerable length of time,” said Ken Canter, executive director of Riverport. “The 20-ton lifting capacity simply wasn’t enough for where we anticipate our port to go in the future. With our new Linden Comansa 30LC1450, we have greater market capabilities for the container on barge movements to the Ohio Valley. It’s also pretty impressive to have the largest flat-top tower crane in North America to serve traffic to our port.”
Riverport boasts two dock facilities and can handle up to three barges with different products, including bulk and general cargo. The facility has a conveyor system with a 30-foot belt that can move 500 tons per hour to warehouse or outdoor storage.
“When we were looking to expand our port and add a marine cell, Linden Comansa was always one of the top contenders in our search for a new crane,” Cantor explained. “Both Linden and Linden Comansa have proven themselves with service, competitive pricing, and reliability. We are also looking forward to continuing the partnership we have enjoyed with Heede Southeast.”
North Carolina-based lifting specialist Heede Southeast refurbished Riverport’s original 1970 series Linden crane in the late 1990s, and continued to provide maintenance until Cantor and his colleagues decided to replace the veteran unit.
“In the early days, working with a 60m or 75m crane that was the first flat-top model erected in North America, we really thought we were doing something special,” commented Dennis Kenna, president of Heede Southeast. “Now, with new equipment, and over 20 years of history with Paducah Riverport Authority, it just makes sense that we should continue that relationship going forward.”
Although the largest of its kind in North America, Riverport’s latest heavy lifter is no slouch. The new Linden Comansa 30LC1450 flat-top tower crane features a 200kW high-speed motor, and offers a maximum speed of 259m per minute. Its Powerlift system allows for a 10% improvement of the load chart when operating at reduced speeds.
“The differences in tower crane technology between the old 8000 and the new 30LC1450 are dramatic,” explained Bill Carbeau, vice president of business development for Linden Comansa America. “Digital readouts for wind, radius, and weights, are clearly displayed, and crane operators can easily monitor all functions for proper operation. In addition, the frequency drives for slewing, trolley, and hoisting movements, allow for much less consumption of electricity.”
The amount of container cargo handled by Riverport is expected to increase along with the completion of the Panama Canal expansion. It is hoped that the Linden Comansa giant will enable the port to cope with higher volumes of this type of freight.
