BRIMMOND Group supplied three customised Effer compact cranes with bespoke hydraulic power units for the top of each of the new Queensferry Crossing’s three 220 metre high towers.
The Aberdeenshire-based firm, which specialises in hydraulic, mechanical and electrical engineering solutions, took on the 12-month project, which also required the supply of onsite installation, testing, training, service and decommissioning engineers.
Alan Glennie, technical director for the collective of organisations said, “This contract was an incredible project from start to finish. Our teams of experienced engineers were working hard to ensure each aspect of the project was delivered to our high standards and on time.”
The marine/offshore cranes were customised in-house by the company’s team in their Kintore-based workshop. This included the installation of load and wind monitoring devices and aircraft warning light systems, which were required due to the height of the towers and how close the bridge is to Edinburgh International Airport.
The cranes were placed on each tower and had a 15 metre outreach, which Brimmond said was primarily used to handle equipment, materials, scaffolding – and to support the installation of the cable strands on each of the tower pylons.
Challenges included time constraints, working at height in a confined space, limited tooling and the requirement of “bespoke” equipment designed to be dismantled into sections, to ensure a safe removal for the helicopter team.
For nine months, and right up to the last week of construction, the cranes were operational.
Alan added, “This project has involved our entire team from initial enquiry negotiations and design work – through to installing, training and decommission of the equipment.”
Brimmond Group, along with its collective of organisations Preffered Marine and Rigrun Europe, offers mechanical, hydraulic and electrical services and equipment covering a range of sectors including oil and gas, decommissioning, renewable, marine and oilfield services.
