Custom-built material handler installed at steel mill
Ideal for unloading incoming scrap from barges, the E-Crane Series 1500-B is a custom-built hydraulic-electric material handler designed for economy, quietness and low maintenance. A recent installation at Kinder Morgan’s SeverCorr steel mill in Columbus, Missouri, uses an E-Crane 1500-B with an 18.2 ton duty cycle capacity. It is equipped with a scrap grab, clamshell bucket and magnet for greater versatility, and includes quick-change capability to provide the most efficient method for transloading the material. The unit is also built high enough so trucks can drive under it for loading. In their Co- lumbus application, Kinder Morgan transfers scrap and other materials from barges onto trucks for transport to their nearby SeverCorr facility.
The E-Crane’s counterweight is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder so it pivots back and forth on its axis. This movement is transmitted to the stick by means of a rigid connecting rod, which keeps the E-Crane nearly always in equilibrium during its working cycle. Units are designed with the outreach, height, visibility and load capacity for big jobs, and feature easy operation with two joysticks in a roomy, air-conditioned cabin. Plus, the E-Crane features a monitoring system that provides operators with important machine status in real-time. “We looked carefully at several manufacturers’ equipment, considering each machine from the standpoints of design, construction, reputation, service life, and overall operating efficiency and economy, as well as parts and service backup,” said Kinder Morgan Director of Operations and Engineering, Thomas Ruff, Sr. “Our choice was the E-Crane Series 1500-B, Model 11264 High Portal mounted on a Rail Lower. Our E-Crane uses less power, and its durability and longevity will help keep our costs to a minimum. The maintenance is straightforward and we like that it’s compatible with many Caterpillar components, especially for the controls and hydraulics. Cat parts can be found anywhere in the world, and if we need service help from E-Crane, they’re always available.” “We have been using the E-Crane at Columbus for a short time now, as it’s still in the startup and testing phase; but we’ve unloaded approximately 15 to 20 barges, and everything looks great. We estimate we’ll be able to offload 400 tons per hour, depending on the product. Our new E-Crane can easily handle present loads with no problems, and it gives us extra capacity for growth down the road.”
The E-Crane’s counterweight is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder so it pivots back and forth on its axis. This movement is transmitted to the stick by means of a rigid connecting rod, which keeps the E-Crane nearly always in equilibrium during its working cycle. Units are designed with the outreach, height, visibility and load capacity for big jobs, and feature easy operation with two joysticks in a roomy, air-conditioned cabin. Plus, the E-Crane features a monitoring system that provides operators with important machine status in real-time. “We looked carefully at several manufacturers’ equipment, considering each machine from the standpoints of design, construction, reputation, service life, and overall operating efficiency and economy, as well as parts and service backup,” said Kinder Morgan Director of Operations and Engineering, Thomas Ruff, Sr. “Our choice was the E-Crane Series 1500-B, Model 11264 High Portal mounted on a Rail Lower. Our E-Crane uses less power, and its durability and longevity will help keep our costs to a minimum. The maintenance is straightforward and we like that it’s compatible with many Caterpillar components, especially for the controls and hydraulics. Cat parts can be found anywhere in the world, and if we need service help from E-Crane, they’re always available.” “We have been using the E-Crane at Columbus for a short time now, as it’s still in the startup and testing phase; but we’ve unloaded approximately 15 to 20 barges, and everything looks great. We estimate we’ll be able to offload 400 tons per hour, depending on the product. Our new E-Crane can easily handle present loads with no problems, and it gives us extra capacity for growth down the road.”
