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E-Crane Worldwide is a modern, state-of-the-art engineering andheavy equipment construction company, based in Adegem,Belgium and with subsidiary companies in the Netherlands(E-Crane International Europe) and Ohio, USA (E-CraneInternational USA).

The standard E-Crane product line consists of five series ofbalanced hydraulic cranes (E-Cranes): 700 Series, 1000 Series,1500 Series, 2000 Series, and 3000 Series. The E-Crane is a trulyrevolutionary material handling machine as its main designfeature is a parallelogram style boom configuration which allowsthe machine to be in near perfect balance throughout the dutycycle.

E-Cranes are unloading barges worldwide at up to 2,000tph(tonnes per hour), often in ‘mission critical’applications where the E-Crane is the onlymeans of unloading. Now E-Crane offersbarge-haul equipment designed to increase thespeed and economy of the overall unloadingoperation.

The following is a brief outline of a ‘typical’barge-haul system for moving loaded coal orlimestone barges. This design provides ‘utilitygrade’ unloading equipment and can move oneor two loaded 35ft x 195ft jumbo barges witha capacity of 1,500 metric tonnes. Availabletravel distance is +/-145m.

The vector-opposed barge-haul systemconsists of two opposed winches — oneforward, one trailing (upstream/downstream)— that work in tandem with a continuous 7/8-diameter steel cable that includes two masterlinks with a hitch rope for tying to the materialbarge. The barge can be secured againstdrifting away from the river cell or dock face

by a continuous barge-breasting cable. This is the fastest andsafest way to handle and offload a barge.

The two winches are mounted to the dock-cell tops withhigh-strength epoxy grout and 20 anchors. Each winch has arated capacity of 14,000 lb on a single layer (21,000 lb starting)at a variable rope speed of 0–30 feet per minute. Winch motorsare 15hp, 0–1,800rpm, 460V, 3-phase, 60 Hz, inverter duty, totallyenclosed blower cooled with dust and water-tight motor-mounted disc brake, and 1,024ppr encoder for motor speedfeedback.

The barge-haul system can be operated from inside theE-Crane operator’s cab or from a remote location by groundpersonnel while an empty barge is substituted for a full barge.

New E-Crane® barge-haul systems improve unloading efficiency

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Local controls are mounted at each winch. The push buttonstation inside the E-Crane cab is located for easy, convenientuse; and a foot switch provides for hands-free barge haulingwhile the operator is simultaneously unloading the barges.

The control system uses dual vector drives, commanded by aPLC, to electrically co-ordinate both winches for maximumcontrol over the barges. The operator’s station allows forindependent or tandem operation of the winches. In tandemmode, the forward winch pulls rope in while the trailing winchpays rope out under controlled back tension. Winch motorspeed is continually monitored by the PLC to eliminatefreewheeling or loss of payout control. Acceleration anddeceleration ramps with brake delays are programmed into thesystem to prevent shock loading of equipment.

The system also includes a NEMA 4 vector electrical controlenclosure with all appropriate auxiliary equipment for the barge-haul drive control system, transformer, distribution panel andother electrical equipment.

Each E-Crane (equilibrium crane) and auxiliaryequipment/systems are custom engineered for the customer’sspecific application type, production goals and profit potentials.Thus the barge-haul system specifics may vary from applicationto application, depending also on peculiarities such as the rivercurrent speed, water level fluctuations, convoy sizes, spaceavailable for unloading equipment, and any harsh environmentalconditions.

If the infrastructure, environmental issues or othercircumstances do not favour a permanent installation, thecomplete material and barge handling package can be mountedon a floating material handling platform. In this case, E-Craneemploys an experienced naval architect and qualified bargebuilders to assure compliance with all regulations and to assurea high quality, cost efficient offloading solution.

The floating material handling platform is the ideal solutionwhere there is little or no existing infrastructure; whenenvironmental issues prohibit the construction of a permanent

infrastructure; or if the flexibility of afloating, moveable system is desired.

E-Cranes excel and haveunprecedented life in applicationsrequiring heavy-duty production cyclesand difficult working conditions. Theyare available in several models withoutreach up to 150ft (45m) and dutycycle capacity up to 50 tonnes. Fieldservice technicians and parts/servicesupport for E-Crane equipment isavailable 24/7 from E-Crane locations inthe USA and Europe.

E-Crane’s unique parallelogramdesign features a hydraulic pivoting,mechanically linked counterweight thatkeeps the E-Crane in near-perfectbalance at all times. This reduceshorsepower consumption and powerrequirements up to 50%. E-Cranes areavailable on pedestal, rail, crawler orbarge mounts.

Barge haul drive

Breasting trolley

Continuous breasting cableBarge haul cable

Barge haulconnection

Breasting lineconnection

Haul rope take-up