When you purchase a new 300 ton crane, one of the most important supplemental investments one can make is in the training of the operators and crew who will be working in and around this machine on a daily basis. That’s why Crane Tech was called in, to get this team up and running and most importantly comfortable with their new Grove GMK5250L.
So where in the world is Crane Tech? The Falkirk Mining Company (FMC) in Underwood, ND which is an operating branch of the North American Coal Corporation.
FMC purchased the crane to assist with the maintenance of draglines and other equipment used in their mining operations. With 230 ft of boom, another 69 ft in the swing-away jib which can be extended with either a 26 ft boom extension, two 26 ft jib inserts or a combination of both for a total maximum jib length of 121 ft with a 5° to 50° offset—the GMK5250L has nearly limitless configurations (Crane Tech’s words, not Groves’).
Other features that make this crane interesting include the five outrigger positions to provide ultimate flexibility for sites with tighter spaces, a self-rigging auxiliary hoist, and ability to move while carrying its full counterweight of 80 tons of counterweight. Another fun fact? Usually cranes will have one or two manuals, in this case there are five. One Operating manual, one instruction for extensions, and three for load charts. Of course there is a special case in the operator cab to keep them with the crane and store them out of the way.
During this week of training, Crane Tech focused on getting FMC’s experienced operators up to speed on how to assemble/disassemble the crane, load the 11 counterweight pieces, attach and reeve the luffing jib, familiarize themselves with the set-up process, cover load charts, set up and work the computer and electronic systems, etc. “The training was great. My guys got a lot out of it. Crane Tech’s instructor was very knowledgeable and his experience helped educate my team on how to use this new crane,” stated FMC’s maintenance manager.
“With the almost infinite possibilities this crane has, one of the best investments FMC has made is in properly training their operators. This will allow them to maximize usage and minimize down time, while maintaining safety of the machine and mining operations, “ stated Jeff Ellis, Crane Tech’s Instructor. “With this customized program Crane Tech provided, each crew had the opportunity to put the crane together, operate it, and take it apart. I think FMC will be very happy with this crane and it should serve them well for many years to come.”
If you have a new crane on the way, need to update your teams’ operating skills, or have a concern regarding safety of lifting operations, Crane Tech is here for you. From customized On-Site Training, Field Coaching or a System Gap Analysis, Crane Tech has been imparting Safety through Education for nearly 40 years. Call 800-290-0007 or contact us today to find out how we can assist in meeting your material handling needs.
