Removing silo ducting safely
RCL Foods animal feeds mill has four tall silos located in the Willowton area in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. These imposing structures, which are well known in the area, presented a particularly challenging operation.
What was the project?
Reef Rigging needed to remove the 3 stainless steel ducting pipes, measuring 50m high, from the concrete silos to make way for an alternative moisture method to the grain feed inside the silos.
What major equipment was used for the installation?
- mobile crane 150t,
- crane truck,
- riggers,
- fitters, and
- man cage.
What obstacles were there?
There is always a risk when working at height, but this project presented a challenge because of the serious height elevation for riggers, who were suspended in a man cage under a mobile crane hook at 62m height. The riggers worked at the unbolting of 5 steel brackets along the vertical silo wall.
How were these overcome?
This challenge was managed with careful cooperation between the crane operator and riggers in the man cage, communicating with two-way radios to guide them to each work site on the silo wall.
What time period did the project take?
One day of 12hrs duration.
If you are looking for a professional and experienced team to work at height with precision rigging, give us a call to make your project work. You can contact us at reefrigging.co.za/contact/.