Capital Equipment News March 2015

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS MARCH 2015 17
LIFTING
Connecting two tunnels on opposing sides of the expansive Arazim
Valley near Jerusalem requires building a record-breaking bridge
that is as impressive in its height as in its length. The landmark
€35 million project relies on six Potain tower cranes that are able to climb
to final working heights of up to 115 m. The rugged and uneven terrain
on site added another challenge for the Kokhav Ya’ir-based Potain crane
owners, COMASCO, tasked with installing tower crane foundations to
ensure they were erected securely and in ample time for the bridge to
progress on schedule. Working approximately 12 hours a day, six days a
week, the top-slewing Potain tower cranes are performing general lifting
duties and pouring concrete to build the girder bridge. The Potain cranes
at the project include a 16 t capacity MD 365 B, two 8 t capacity MDT
178s and three 12 t capacity MD 285s. The cranes offer maximum jib
lengths from 60 m to 75 m and can lift between 1.5 t and 3.2 t at jib
end. The milestone project is a fitting tribute to COMASCO’s 50-year col-
laboration with Potain, as Mr Haim Danon, managing director, explained.
“Over the past 50 years, our work and our cranes have built some of the
most iconic projects in Israel, and we are very proud to reach this mile-
stone,” he said. “Thanks to our excellent people and the strong partner-
ships we have with the world’s best equipment manufacturers, like Potain,
we work on the country’s most important projects – and this bridge is the
latest example of our achievements.” The Potain tower cranes arrived on
site in June 2013 and will remain at the project until the end of 2015. All
six cranes are climbing units, anchored to the pylons they are building.
Due to the varying gradient of the terrain, the cranes stand at different
heights and their final working heights will extend up to 115 m. As part
of the Israel Rail Road Project, the bridge is a crucial part of what will
be a vital 70 km rail connection between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Once
completed it will be the tallest and longest bridge in Israel. b
Potain Tower Cranes
REACHES NEW
HEIGHTS AT TALLEST
BRIDGE IN ISRAEL