E-Cranes are unloading barges worldwide at rates of up to
2,000tph (tonnes per hour), often in ‘mission critical’ applications
where the E-Crane is the only means of unloading. E-Crane
barge handling systems with hoppers and/or other equipment
can be a crucial factor in the speed and economy of the whole
unloading operation. E-Crane has provided this for numerous
customers as part of E-Crane turnkey engineering services in
bulk material handling sectors.
The following is a brief outline of a ‘typical’ barge-haul system
for moving loaded coal or limestone barges.
This design provides ‘utility grade’ unloading equipment proven
on job sites many timesover. The barge-haul system can move
one or two loaded 35ft x 195ft jumbo barges with a capacity of
1,500 metric tonnes.
Available travel distance is ±145m.
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” diameter steel
cable that includes two master links with a hitch rope for tying
to the material barge. The barge can be secured against drifting
away from the river cell or dock face by a continuous barge-breasting
cable. This is the fastest and safest way to handle and offload a barge.
The two winches are mounted to the dock-cell tops with high-strength
epoxy groutand 20 anchors. Each winch has a ratedcapacity of 14,000lb
on a single layer (21,000 lb starting) at a variable rope speed of 0–30
feet per minute. Winch motors are 15hp, 0–1,800rpm, 460v, 3-phase,
60Hz, inverter duty, totally enclosed blower cooled with dust and
water-tight motormounted disc brake, and 1,024ppr encoder for
motor speed feedback.
The barge-haul system can be operated from inside the
E-Crane operator’s cab or from a remote location by ground
personnel while an empty barge is substituted for a full barge.
E-Crane® barge handling: often a critical factor in efficient unloading
The 1500 B-Series E-Crane with barge-haul system and
hopper engineered and constructed as a turnkey
project.
Two opposed winches (upstream/downstream)
work in tandem to position one or two
1,500mton-capacity barges.
Local controls are mounted at each winch. The push button
station inside the E-Crane cab is located for easy, convenient
use; and a foot switch provides for hands-free barge hauling
while the operator is simultaneously unloading the barges.
The control system uses dual vector drives, commanded by a
PLC, to electrically co-ordinate both winches for maximum
control over the barges. The operator’s station allows for
independent or tandem operation of the winches. In tandem
mode, the forward winch pulls rope in while the trailing winch
pays rope out under controlled back tension. Winch motor
speed is continually monitored by the PLC to eliminate
freewheeling or loss of payout control. Acceleration and
deceleration ramps with brake delays are programmed into the
system to prevent shock loading of equipment.
The system also includes a NEMA 4 vector electrical control
enclosure with all appropriate auxiliary equipment for the bargehaul
drive control system, transformer, distribution panel and
other electrical equipment.
Each E-Crane (equilibrium crane) and auxiliary
equipment/systems are custom engineered for the customer’s
specific application type, production goals and profit potentials.
Thus the barge-haul system specifics may vary from application
to application, depending also on peculiarities such as the river
current speed, water level fluctuations, convoy sizes, space
available for unloading equipment, and any harsh environmental
conditions.
If the infrastructure, environmental issues or other
circumstances do not favour a permanent installation, the
complete material and barge handling package can be mounted
on a floating material handling platform. In this case, E-Crane
employs an experienced naval architect and qualified barge
builders to assure compliance with all regulations and to assure
a high quality, cost efficient offloading solution.
The floating material handling platform is the ideal solution
where there is little or no existing infrastructure; when
environmental issues prohibit the construction of a permanent
infrastructure; or if the flexibility of a floating, moveable system is
desired.
E-Cranes excel and have unprecedented life in applications
requiring heavy-duty production cycles and difficult working
conditions. They are available in several models with outreach
up to 150ft (45m) and duty cycle capacity up to 50 tonnes. Field
service technicians and parts/service support for E-Crane
equipment is available 24/7 from E-Crane locations in the USA
and Europe.
E-Crane’s unique parallelogram design features a hydraulic
pivoting, mechanically linked counterweight that keeps the
E-Crane in near-perfect balance at all times. This reduces
horsepower consumption and power requirements up to 50%.
E-Cranes are available on pedestal, rail, crawler or barge mounts.