A UK timber merchant has installed an unusual overhead crane with a rack and pinion drive system.
Donaldson Timber manufactures triangular roof beams for use in construction, but faced difficulties handling the larger completed roof sections. Up to four people were needed to move the wooden structures as there was no provision for access using a fork lift truck. An overhead crane system was deemed the most suitable solution to the problem, but the low sloped roof of the building meant this was difficult to achieve.
The company contacted the Rosyth branch of Lifting Gear Hire, which came up with the rack and pinion solution. The rack and pinion drive system for the crane, fitted to the existing roof beams, handles the 10° slope with ease. This enables the crane to drive up and down the tracks without any slippage and, according to Lifting Gear Hire, it has since performed effortlessly for the customer.
Lifting Gear Hire commercial manager Steve Constantine said: “The solution we presented demonstrates our ability in designing a bespoke solution for any lifting operation. In addition, the close working relationship we have with the fabricator was of vital importance to the success of the project.”
