March 7 - Rapid Response Solutions (RRS) has used a 270-tonne capacity Hydra-Slide HT300 heavy track skidding system to remove and return a 20-tonne gearbox at a Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) power generation plant in Weymouth, UK.
RRS, which was named the international sales partner of Hydra-Slide, was contracted by Doosan Babcock to remove the gearbox from a plant room, deliver it for refurbishment and return it to the site for reinstallation.
The gearbox, which measured 2.6 m x 1.6 m x 1.9 m, was slid out approximately 3 m inside the facility and then carried by a Versa-Lift forklift to an awaiting three-axle Faymonville semi-low loader from the RRS fleet.
Prior to the removal operation, RRS jacked up the gearbox and placed four 50-tonne wireless compression load cells from Straightpoint underneath it to get an accurate weight measurement.
According to RRS, utilising the Hydra-Slide HT300 required extensive planning to overcome the confined space. Having jacked up and weighed the unit, RRS supported the gearbox with hardwood blocks, measuring 0.2 m x 0.1 m x 1 m, while a 12-tonne Valla from its mini-crane fleet lifted the skidding system's tracks. Once the tracks were in position, the gearbox was slid away from connectors before turning it 90 degrees so it could fit through the door.
