Creating a New Lifting Solution on Metro Tunnel Project

Creating a new lifting solution on metro tunnel project

Kennards Hire's Lift & Shift has partnered with Pacific Hoists to create a unique remote control system, allowing a 70-tonne load to be lowered into place as part of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel project.

A first for the hire industry, the innovative system has proven to be a precision solution for end client, CYP Design and Construction. It was also delivered to a very tight deadline.

The DC electric over pneumatic JUUKO remote system gives a single person instantaneous control over four air hoists - all at once or in any combination. Previously, each hoist would need to be operated by a different user, with critical delays of several seconds.

This ground-breaking system, created by Pacific Hoists, is now offered through Kennards Hire to customers requiring the most efficient, large-scale lifting solutions currently available.

Meeting the 70-tonne lifting challenge

According to Ricky McGaw, Operation Product Specialist at Kennards Hire's Lift & Shift, the remote system was created to meet the challenging unique requirements of the Metro Tunnel brief

Pacific Hoists designed and built the remote system, while Kennards Hire supplied the four JDN 30-tonne hoists required for the lift at Town Hall Station. One week prior to the operation, the team undertook a demonstration at Kennards Hire's Port Melbourne Branch.

“The demonstration was critical to prove the system was both safe and effective," Ricky says.

"Once cut free, the platform couldn’t be put back. With our detailed planning and analysis, both the demonstration and the lift itself went 100% according to plan.”

The success of the operation relied on disciplined teamwork, involving ongoing consultation and on-site checks as the project progressed.

“We initially toolboxed it with the customer to find out exactly what they wanted, and how we could meet their needs. Then we toolboxed it on-site with Pacific Hoists, CYP and their rigging crew, and all the relevant OHS people.”

The solution was designed, demonstrated and delivered on-site in record time, creating a template for other major project lifts in the future.

Game-changer for major tunnel projects

For Steve Purves, Group Technical Manager for Pacific Hoists in Australia and New Zealand, this was the opportunity he’d been waiting for.

For several years, he’d been exploring better ways to operate a pneumatic hoist. The Metro Tunnel project gave him the chance to put these ideas into practice.

Steve is delighted by the success of the remote system.

“I knew it could be a game-changer for lifts. By giving one operator control of all four hoists individually or all together at the click of a button - with response in less than 50 milliseconds - the precision level is greatly increased," he says.

“It was the only possible way to lift and lower the platform exactly. We designed and built it in three days. On the fourth day, we flew it into Port Melbourne, for the demonstration.

“Kennards Hire has now bought the system, and can hire it out as a single, tandem, triple or quad air hoist remote control. It’s a much safer and more efficient way to deliver major tunnel projects.”

As the world’s first carbon-neutral lifting company, Pacific Hoists is dedicated to innovation and creativity.

“We have very similar values to Kennards Hire, always looking for better ways to do things. That’s why we work so well together. We aim to deliver not just products or services, but a genuine, all-round solution to the specific challenges of the job in hand.”

Helping to reduce risk, delays, costs

From the customer’s point of view, there was zero margin for error. With rigorous safety standards to uphold, CYP Design and Construction engaged in extensive consultation with the two main partner companies from the outset.

According to CYP Project Engineer Oscar Savage, it was a very positive experience, with Kennards Hire and Pacific Hoists “extremely helpful” through all stages of the process.

“They helped us overcome the trifecta of challenges – OHS, time and cost. We were able to condense two to three weeks of medium-to-high-risk lifts, down to a single, controlled lift," he says.

“This saved us time, disruption and labour hire. We also achieved a successful buy-back of the scrubber units, to recycle and reuse in another project.

“It was an amazing outcome, involving very professional organisations. I can’t fault them. We worked closely together, from start to finish, with a great dry run in Port Melbourne. It all came together within the deadline, which helped us accomplish our mission.”

Up for the challenge, every customer, every time

Kennards Hire's Lift & Shift and Pacific Hoists have had a long and successful working partnership.

In Ricky McGaw’s words: “As long-standing partners, we value the expertise and commitment of Pacific Hoists very highly. They are solutions-based, just like us.”

Steve Purves sums it up like this. “Like us, Kennards Hire is an established family business, with strong ethics. It’s not just about selling or hiring, it’s about quality solutions for challenging projects. We both have a customised approach, so it’s not just in the box, but what’s out of the box that’s important. This is how we harness creativity, between ourselves and the Kennards Hire team.”

Kennards Hire Lift and Shift is available alongside other specialist solutions including site solutions, pumps, power, access, concrete care, traffic management, and test and measure to provide complete end-to-end solutions and technical guidance for our large commercial customers across multiple industries.