Crane manufacturer Condra Cranes is refurbishing a 40 t electric overhead travelling crane that was manufactured and commissioned 39 years ago.

The 21-m-span double-girder crane has been used for maintenance duties at an Mpumalanga power station since being delivered and installed in 1985.

Its three-week overhaul and refurbishment, being undertaken at Condra’s main factory in Germiston, with delivery back to the power station scheduled for late in March, will ensure continued operation into the future.

The crane was upgraded 11 years ago by the fitment of an additional, faster, 16 t hoist to be used for smaller workshop tasks.

While the smaller auxiliary machine will be retained, the refurbishment will see the replacement of two 20 t hoists with a single 40 t unit reeved to deliver a central lift, powered by a two-speed 36kW/12kW motor.

Originally, the twin 20 t hoists were reeved together and mounted on the same crab to achieve the 40 t capacity, while the single 40 t replacement hoist will be installed on an improved crab delivering a variable cross-travel speed of up to 20 m a minute.

According to a Condra spokesperson, the hoist itself has fixed lifting speeds, but will be equipped to allow fitment of variable speed drives in the future. Lifting height is eight metres.

Overhaul of the long travel is to be carried out by the customer.

“When the upgrade is complete, the reinstalled crane will deliver a precise and substantially improved handling capability, and carry the same two-year warranty as a new crane,” the Condra spokesperson said in a statement issued to Engineering News & Mining Weekly.