Tilting Spreader Beam for Coal Container
Discharge at ABP Swansea.
Associated British Ports (ABP) at Swansea required a device
to discharge coal from containers into the holds of ships. The
key requirements were defined as:
 |
The ability to operate from
a single point of suspension and attach to a standard size
20 foot ISO container. |
|
Capability of tipping the
spreader 20 degrees in one direction to relieve the pressure
on the door of the container and 45 degrees in the other
direction to discharge the contents. |
|
A lift capacity of 27 tonnes
including the dead-weight of the container of 2.2 tonnes. |
|
Maximum tipping speed of 45
degrees in 20 seconds. |
Seward Wyon solved the problem with an innovative design comprising
the following features:
|
Proprietary spreader unit
with modifications to accommodate the 45 degree tilt angle. |
|
Suspension system comprising
a pair of central chains mounted on drive wheels and connected
via two short spreader beams and a matched set of four chain
slings to the corners of the spreader frame. |
|
A drive assembly consisting
of a hydraulic motor/gearbox unit, which rotates the drive,
wheels via the support shaft. |
|
A suspension frame with a
top connection to the crane hook and containment for the
motor/gearbox unit, the drive shaft and the hydraulic powerpack. |
|
The whole system was assembled
commissioned, proof load tested and certified on site at
the Swansea Docks. |
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