Reading Crane and R&M Deliver Solution to Rhoads Industries

Reading Crane and Engineering Co. has installed a 200-ton capacity crane, equipped with two R&M Materials Handling Inc. SXL 100-ton hoists, at a Rhoads Industries heavy manufacturing facility. The building is used for steel fabrication and for assembly of large components for industrial contractors, such as Northrop Grumman.

Reading Crane has been engineering, designing, building, installing, inspecting and providing parts for overhead cranes and hoists since 1905. R&M was selected by Reading for this project based on the ability to meet the specifications outlined by the customer, within the budgeted time frame and with a competitive price.

The 200-ton capacity crane is equipped with two R&M Materials Handling Inc. SXL 100-ton hoists.

The challenges

Rhoads needed to utilize the existing 300,000 square foot building, runway rail, and below-the-hook spreader beam to maximize the functionality of the new crane and minimize costs. Dimensional requirements and needs for high capacity lifts presented design challenges that Reading Crane was ready to meet by utilizing the R&M product offering. In addition, the application demanded precision controls for all motions, including micro-speed and inching/indexing capabilities.

R&M was selected by Reading for this project based on the ability to meet the specifications outlined by the customer.

The solutions

To accommodate the relatively small existing rail for this capacity crane, Reading Crane chose a special 16-wheel bogie end truck design to spread out the load on the rails; while still providing the required 58’-0” hook height. With the restraints of the existing building, utilizing a single 200-ton capacity hoist and trolley to obtain the required hook height was not feasible due to the large size of the components.

Reading came up with a creative solution. They chose to use two 100-ton capacity SXL hoists which are linked mechanically and synchronized electrically to provide seamless tandem lifting of the two rope drums. This synchronization is paired with closed loop VFD controls, micro-speeds, and inching/indexing capabilities to obtain the precision movements required by Rhoads’ application.

Reading Crane chose a special 16-wheel bogie end truck design to spread out the load on the rails.

The two SXL hoists were also reeved into a large, single hook block assembly, designed by Reading Crane, to achieve a single pick point. Reading also installed a dual walkway to make servicing the equipment easier.

By partnering together, Reading Crane and R&M provided Rhoads Industries with the unique design and functionality they need to fabricate their large-scale steel fabrication projects.