R&M Materials Handling, Inc. and Reading Crane Partner to Solve a 200-Ton Lifting Requirement for Rhoads industries.

R&M Materials Handling, Inc. was selected by Reading Crane for this 200-ton crane project based on the ability to meet the specifications outlined by the customer, within the budgeted time frame and with a competitive price.

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

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 R&M’s SXL Hoist product offering. In addition, the application demanded precision controls for all motions, including micro-speed and inching/indexing capabilities.

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 Crane 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. The two SXL hoists were also reeved into a large, single hook block assembly, designed by Reading Crane, to achieve a single pick point. By partnering together, Reading Crane and R&M provided Rhoads Industries with the unique design and functionality they need to fabricate their largescale steel fabrication projects.

For more information about R&M products, solutions, and services, visit our website www.rmhoist.com, email us at rm.communications@rmhoist.com, or call us at 800-955-9967.

Contact:

Ashlee Shulman

937-328-5100

R&M Materials Handling, Inc.

4501 Gateway Blvd

Springfield, OH 45502