including a new barge unloader. The company used an old gantry
rope crane to unload coal from barges for many years. But since
more efficient and more versatile barge unloading capacity.
weather. “This had caused us some real problems over the
years,” said utility supervisor Mike Barton. “Crews were forever
difficult circumstances. It was a time and safety factor that we
After investigation, however, it was determined that there was
a complete and easy solution to the increased material unloading
and river level problems: an E-Crane floating terminal consisting
of a 2000 Series E-Crane, two barges (one for the E-Crane and
one to support the conveyor), a hopper, a barge-haul system, and
a barge-breasting system. The E-Crane is equipped with a
25-yard bucket and can unload at rates of 1,500tph (tonnes per
hour).
“E-Crane designed and constructed it all for us on a turnkey
basis, including all electrical controls and wiring,” said
department supervisor Tom Noble. “The E-Crane system has
cut our unloading time in half, cut our maintenance time
dramatically, simplified operation and reduced our costs
substantially.
“Power plants, like most businesses, are always under
increasing pressure to reduce costs. The E-Crane system helps
to keep our costs as economical as possible.”
Barton agreed: “E-Crane maintenance is simple, quick and
easy. The E-Crane is much safer and more reliable. No more
ropes to change; what a huge time and cost saving that was!
And the E-Crane system is easy to operate; so the fatigue factor
is less. With the floating terminal, the barges are always at the
same level as the E-Crane; so it’s easy to bring them into
position, unload them, and move them on.
“I have much happier and more productive crews now,”
Barton said. “They like the E-Crane so much they really want to
take care of it.”
E-Crane’s hydraulically pivoting, mechanically linked boom
design keeps the machine in near perfect balance throughout the
working range. Having gravity work for you instead of against
you reduces horsepower requirements and power consumption
up to 50%. Five series of E-Cranes are available with outreach
up to 165 feet (50 metres) and duty cycle capacity up to 50
tonnes. A central lubrication system and accessible hydraulics
simplify maintenance.
E-Crane’s positive grab control allows for precision grab
positioning, while the push-down force ensures full grabs for
every cycle. The modular machine design concept allows
E-Crane engineers to tailor custom solutions for customers’
needs.
The barge-haul system provides ‘utility grade’ unloading
equipment and can move one or two loaded 35ft by 195ft jumbo
barges with a capacity of 1,500 tonnes. The vector-opposed
barge-haul system consists of two opposed winches — one
forward, one trailing (upstream/downstream) — that work in
tandem with a continuous 7/8-in-diameter steel cable.
The control system uses dual vector drives, commanded by a
PLC, to electrically co-ordinate both winches for maximum
barge control. Winch motor speed is monitored continuously by
the PLC to eliminate freewheeling or loss of payout control.
The barge can be secured against drifting away from the river
cell or dock face by a continuous barge-breasting cable. The
system can be operated from inside the E-Crane or from a
remote location.
“The E-Crane people were easy to work with — very helpful
and cooperative,” Noble said. “The E-Crane was delivered on
time, within budget, and worked perfectly right from the start.”
Barton added: “We went to the E-Crane International USA
facility in Galion, Ohio for several days of training on how to
operate and maintain the equipment. Then E-Crane personnel
spent a lot of time with us here at our Lowman plant when the
equipment was set up and operating. Steve Suter, E-Crane
service manager, has been an enormous help. I still call him
frequently for counsel on various matters. He’s always available
and always has the right answer.”