September 15 - Yu Sin Engineering has used a Hydra-Slide HT300 skidding system to move a tunnel boring machine (TBM) underground for a major subway infrastructure project in Singapore.
The TBM components, which ranged in weight from 28 to 128 tonnes, were lowered down a 100 ft (30 m) shaft onto the Hydra-Slide system using a Terex AC700 crane.
When assembled, the TBM will weigh 461 tonnes and measure 22 ft (6.96 m) in diameter.
In order to move the machine approximately 66 ft (20 m) to connect it with the launch shaft, Yu Sin decided to employ the HT300 system, which was shipped from Canada to Singapore by air for the job.
Robert Young, director of operations at Hydra-Slide, claimed that the underground work was the perfect application for the HT300 system, due to its modular design, low weight and ease of assembly.
"No extra ground testing was necessary as the bottom of the launch shaft was poured concrete that was capable of supporting the weight of the HT300 and loads. This was the first time our equipment was used to move a TBM and we see future potential in this area, especially after the success of this project."
