Removing large equipment from steel building

[nutbutter]

I'm just fishing for some ideas. I'm looking into a way to remove 3-4 very large diesel generators from a steel building. The generators are going to be replaced and it is proving difficult to find a way to remove the old generators from the building.

There is one overhead door and there is a 20-ton gantry crane inside the building. Can large diesel generators be taken apart into smaller pieces? These generators are Cooper Bessemer, about 3 MW apiece. Very large. I would think that they could be broken down into somewhat smaller elements. Does anyone know if this is the case?

If they can't be then there are going to have to be some extensive requirements to the existing building in order to create an opening large enough to remove these generators.

Any advice would be helpful.

Peace,
NB

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Generators can be disassembled, but if the intent is to reassemble and reuse / sell them, it will be VERY expensive. Making building modifications will probably be more cost effective - anyway, sounds like you need to have a way to bring in the replacements.

A typical way to move large, heavy machinery, in one piece, is to use Hillman rollers. Here is a link to info on some of their larger units:

http://www.hilmanrollers.com/pdfs/KS03.pdf

Of course to use this type roller, you may also have to construct heavy-duty concrete slabs outside and / or inside the building.

Some projects are not easy or cheap, no matter how hard you try

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Almost anything can be taken apart - even if it comes down to cutting torches.

Take the roof off?? and lift it out

Dig a big hole - push them in and cover them??

Good Luck

 

[bimr]

You can take anything apart.

As previous posters have noted, the easiest solution is to use rollers.

Suggest you talk to a Contractor experienced in moving equipment.

 

[nutbutter]

Thanks for the ideas. It sounds like rollers is the best option at this point. I'll look into it a bit more. Thanks again for the ideas.

NB

 

[nutbutter]

Oh, I forgot to ask...how do you get the generators up on the rollers if there's no room for a large enough crane?

 

[bimr]

You would probably lift the generators with jacks and then put rollers under the generator.

Suggest that you contact a professional rigging service like those listed below. They should be able to answer your questions.

http://www.bigge.com/pdf/ACT-Feb-2008-Cleco.pdf

http://www.primerigging.com/photos.shtml

http://www.indppc.com/services/boiler-a-turbine-erection

 

[chicopee]

I worked for a rigging outfit for a few years and it was not unsual to make holes thru walls, place the items on rollers and remove with hydraulic cranes. naturally crane operators and riggers must be able to interpret crane load charts nad use proper rigging.