SQ25ZA5T Marine Crane Fitted on a Ship Pedestal in Uruguay

A black knuckle boom crane on a tall black pedestal on the red deck of a ship, with grain loaders on the shore behind: photos from our customer in Uruguay show a BOB-LIFT SQ25ZA5T marine crane being fitted and then unfolded on board.

At a glance: SQ25ZA5T 25 t knuckle boom marine crane · Uruguay · tall pedestal on a ship's deck · 3 customer photos.

What the photos show

• The fitting. One photo shows the crane hanging from a port crane with chain hoists, while two workers guide its slewing base onto the bolt ring of the pedestal.
• Folded. Another photo shows the crane folded on its pedestal near the rail, with the BOB-LIFT logo and SQ25ZA5T in yellow on the boom, and grain loaders across the water.
• Unfolded. The third photo shows the boom unfolded with its extensions in front of the white superstructure and stacked cargo.

These are the customer's own photos. No load weights or comments came with them.

About the SQ25ZA5T

The SQ25ZA5T is an earlier 25 t knuckle boom marine crane. It is no longer in the current range, and the technical department has no current drawing for it, so this record does not quote load figures for it. For a new crane of this size, see the 25 t knuckle boom marine crane page, where each current model has its own dimension and load chart drawings.

Lifting moment is the load times its distance from the slewing centre. That is why the rated load drops as the boom reaches out. For example, a load the crane lifts easily close to the column can be too heavy once the extension is pushed out. Working radius is the level distance from the slewing centre to the hook. On a vessel or a quay, the pedestal takes the place of outriggers. It must be strong enough for the crane's weight and its full lifting moment. For general crane safety rules, see the OSHA cranes and derricks standard.

For a crane of this size, the pedestal is a tall steel column of its own, and the bolt ring on top must match the crane's slewing base before the lift. A 16 t marine crane waits for fitting in our delivery record from Chile, and a 20 t marine crane runs a test on a ribbed pedestal in our record from Kazakhstan.

Lifting a crane onto its pedestal

Setting a heavy marine crane on its pedestal is a planned lift of its own. Four points to plan for:

1. Check the flange first. Clean the pedestal flange and check that the bolt holes line up with the slewing base before the crane is lifted.
2. Plan the lifting gear. Use slings and shackles rated for the crane's own weight, and a lifting crane with enough capacity at that radius.
3. Guide it, never stand under it. Guide the crane with tag lines or at the base, and keep everyone out from under the load.
4. Tighten the bolts in order. Torque the slewing ring bolts in a cross pattern to the maker's value, and check them again after the first hours of work.

Sea water is hard on steel, so the marine cranes get an epoxy zinc primer with a polyurethane acrylic top coat. Other sizes are in the knuckle boom marine crane range, and the marine crane buying guide covers pedestal mounting in more detail.

What to send us for a marine crane

To match a current crane to your vessel or quay, we need a few details. Short answers are fine.

• The site. The vessel type and length, or the quay, and where the crane will stand.
• The lifts. The heaviest load, and how far from the crane it is picked up and set down.
• The power. The hydraulic power pack you have now, or whether you need a new one.

If you run an SQ25ZA5T today, a photo of its nameplate helps too. Send these through the contact page, and our team will check reach and load against the current load charts.

Record compiled by Achord Chan, Product Operations Director at BOB-LIFT, from the customer's photos.