Clark Rigging & Rental Corporation - Lockport, Rochester & Syracuse NY - (800) 439-6390
IN THE FIELD
Winter, 2023
An urgent situation recently unfolded at Nucor Steel when
an electrical transformer suddenly failed sending most of the facility
into darkness. The operation of this 150,000 lb. transformer is
critically important in keeping the Auburn, NY facility's furnaces
functional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Clark Rigging's General
Foreman Gunter Minges received the urgent call from Nucor and was
immediately sent to meet with the plant's officials and access the
situation. Upon evaluation, a plan was devised that required
around-the-clock coverage of teams of riggers, crane operators, oilers,
and truck drivers.
Clark Rigging's new 500 ton Tadano AC 7.450-1 and 60
ton Liebherr LTM 1055-3.2 cranes were also required to safely hoist out
the failed 75 ton transformer and replace it with an operational unit.
Within hours, Clark's crews and equipment began arriving at Nucor's
facility as Clark Rigging's Regional Manager, Paul Goodman coordinated
the dispatching and mobilization of cranes from across New York State.
Once all cranes were setup and in place, crews immediately began work to
swap out the failed transformer. Working through the night, Clark's
team successfully replaced the large unit and power was quickly restored
to the steel plant by the next day.
Fall, 2022
Clark Rigging was recently contracted to assist with the ship offloading, handling, and staging of large wind tower components at
the Port of Oswego.
After much consideration, Clark Rigging's experienced Project Manager, Mike Dombroski determined the use of
crawler cranes to be most efficient for the majority of this project.
Clark dispatched a total of five crawler cranes - (2) 440 ton Manitowoc
16000 cranes, (2) 250 ton Link-Belt 298 cranes, and (1) Sany SCC 1000
crane.
This project also occasionally required the use of several
mobile cranes like the 400 ton Terex AC 350-6, 240 ton Terex AC 200-1,
110 ton Liebherr LTM 1090-4.2, and 60 ton Liebherr LTM 1055-3.2 cranes.
Having the right equipment made the job of handling large, bulky wind
tower components extremely safe and efficient. Clark Rigging
specializes in providing the right solutions to unusual lifting
projects.
Contact us today to discuss your next project and see what we
can do for you.
Summer, 2022
HARBEC, a well known sustainable manufacturing company located along the NY-104 corridor in Ontario, NY, is widely recognized in their efforts to minimize negative environmental impacts, and conserve energy and earth's natural resources.
HARBEC recently called on Clark Rigging to assist in the repair and rebuilding of one of their two onsite wind turbines. These turbines are mounted on vertical towers hundreds of feet in the air, and generate power when wind rotates the propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator, which then creates electricity.
To work on such large wind turbines requires highly skilled personnel and the use of several cranes to dismantle and lower the blades, hub, rotor, and generator to the ground. Clark Rigging dispatched their 245 ton Demag AC 220-5 and Terex-Demag AC 40-1 cranes to assist in the project. After extensive preparation and planning, crane operators Jay Davis and Joe Wheaton successfully dismantled and lowered all tower components safely to the ground.
After the tower's generator is rebuilt, Clark will return to hoist and reassemble the tower to then make it fully operational.
A special Thank You to Harbec and Boulter Industrial Contractors for their cooperation in this project.
Clark 245 ton Demag AC 220-5 and Terex-Demag AC 40-1 cranes
Winter, 2022
Clark Companies Annual Safety Meeting 2022 Each year Clark Companies puts on a mandatory safety meeting for its employees. The meeting consists of a presentation/discussion done by a guest speaker or speakers on a certain safety topic chosen by Clark Companies management.
Following the presentation Clark Companies' Safety Manager presents the company safety statistics from the previous year and discusses any areas to improve upon for the upcoming year. This year's guest speakers were Ryan and Jim from The New York State Department of Transportation. Ryan and Jim are commercial motor vehicle inspectors/safety specialists.
At this year's meeting, Clark Companies wanted to focus on what to expect when a driver goes thru a DOT stop as well as the importance of on the road safety. Ryan and Jim's presentation touched on topics such as documentation (medical certificates, licenses, etc.), pre-trip inspections, hours of service and tie-downs/load securement.
At Clark Companies, safety is our #1 priority and we use these meetings to refresh and reinforce our commitment to safety to our employees and customers.
Clark Rigging's other Link-Belt cranes have also been working on this expansion project, namely the 100-ton Link-Belt HTC-86100, and 110-ton Link-Belt HTC-86110 truck cranes to name a few.
Clark Companies Annual Safety Meeting 2022
Fall, 2021
Western New York Energy is one of the largest biofuel producers in the Northeast, and is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion at it's production plant in Medina, NY.
One of Clark Rigging's newest cranes to enter the fleet, a Link-Belt 298 HSL Series-2 Lattice Boom Crawler Crane was recently dispatched to the processing plant to perform a series of critical lifts over the next few months. The 298's long boom length and compact size make it an ideal crane for the congested work site.
Clark Rigging's other Link-Belt cranes have also been working on this expansion project, namely the 100-ton Link-Belt HTC-86100, and 110-ton Link-Belt HTC-86110 truck cranes to name a few.
One of Clark Rigging's newest pieces of equipment was
recently utilized to perform a series of transformer replacements at
several electrical substations throughout Western New York.
These
electrical substations had failed transformers located inside a roofed
bay enclosure, or directly under live overhead power lines which limited
the use of a crane to move them out. As an alternative solution, a 150
ton capacity Hydra-Slide XLP150 slider beam system was used as a safe,
cost-effective method of moving heavy loads along the ground in areas
where overhead space is limited and clearance counts.
The XLP150 system
consists of a hydraulic power pack, a push/pull mechanism, and a modular
slide surface. It is completely hand-portable, simple to assemble,
requires limited jacking, and can push or pull up to 150 tons. With the
use of the Hydra-Slide XLP150, Clark Rigging was able to perform a
series of these transformer replacements at multiple locations with only
a one-day turnaround for each.
150 Ton Capacity Hydra-Slide XLP150
Slider Beam System
Summer, 2020
Several of Clark Rigging's newest cranes recently teamed
up on various projects at Syracuse University's Carrier Dome in
Syracuse, NY.
The facility is currently undergoing a multi-million
dollar renovation project on improvements that will include a permanent
roof, a vertically hung scoreboard, air conditioning and other
amenities.
Clark Rigging has dispatched several cranes to assist with
the high-reach work, namely the new Liebherr LTM 1090-4.2, Terex-Demag
AC 140, Liebherr LTM 1055, Terex AC 200-1, and Link-Belt HTC 86100
mobile cranes to name a few.
Fall, 2019
Clark Rigging recently teamed up with Boulter Industrial for a unique project at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. A new 8,000 square foot Sci-Fi technology exhibit was scheduled to open on October 11th which featured a full-scale replica of the iconic
Delorean time machine from the famed 'Back to the Future' movie. This vehicle and other large exhibit items had to be brought into the museum through a side third floor access door.
Clark assisted Boulter by providing the crane service and custom lift platform required to hoist the vehicle and other exhibit items into the building.
A word of gratitude to Boulter Industrial and the RMSC for their support in this story!
Spring, 2019
Two of Clark Rigging's newest cranes recently teamed up
on a project in Niagara Falls, NY to hoist and set a pedestrian bridge
over Cayuga Creek along Buffalo Avenue.
Liebherr LTM 1200-5.1 and LTM
1300-6.2 cranes were chosen for the far-reaching work to safely set the
steel span in place.
Fall, 2018
A tense situation recently occurred at the Salamanca
Allegany Casino when a suspended outdoor window washing scaffold
malfunctioned, stranding two workers 120 feet in the air.
Luckily, no
one was injured in the mishap as firefighters quickly responded and
rescued the window washers within the hour.
However, the window washing
scaffold remained suspended as it hung precariously from the side of the
Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino. Clark Rigging's Project Manager
Jordan Kydd received the call for assistance in retrieving the stranded
scaffold.
Access to the dangling scaffold was limited, so Jordan
developed a plan using two cranes to retrieve the unit. The proposal
utilized a 150 ton Terex mobile crane to safely hoist a crew up
alongside the scaffold. The riggers would attach rigging from the
scaffold to the hook of a second larger crane - a 300 ton Terex machine,
which would safety hoist the scaffold away from the side of the
building.
To visualize this plan and identify any potential problems,
Jordan utilized 3D Lift Plan (Critical Lift Planning Software) to create
detailed three-dimensional simulations and renderings of all the lifts,
from start to finish. With 3D Lift Plan, potential issues can be
identified and addressed in the earliest stages of a project.
Clark
Rigging customers can "see" a successful lift before a crane ever
arrives on site, resulting in increased efficiency on the job-site and
on the bottom line. Most importantly, thorough lift planning improves
lift safety by improving foresight and real-time lift accuracy.
Clark
Rigging understands that customers are looking for more than just
equipment. They need the confidence that comes from an experienced and
technologically advanced partner that will get the job done efficiently
and safely. Contact us today to discuss your next project.
Summer, 2018 Music superstar couple Beyonce and Jay-Z brought their
"On the Run 2" tour to Orchard Park, NY for a summer stadium show at New
Era Field.
This event not only featured the power celebrity couple, but
also one of the largest stage shows ever. Thousands of lights, giant
bridges and catwalks, and enormous four-story tall video screens all
needed to be transported into the stadium and safely erected in mostly
tight quarters.
Erecting this immense stage was an undertaking which
required immense resources. Clark Rigging was asked to assist in this
monumental task of setting up the stage prior to the concert, then
dismantling it all after the show.
Utilizing three cranes (60 ton, 100
ton, and 110 ton capacity machines) strategically positioned around the
stage, Clark's equipment and crews quickly and efficiently assembled the
framework of the massive stage piece by piece.
Just as stadium concerts
grow bigger each year, count on Clark Rigging & Rental to grow with the
needs of their customers!
Spring, 2018
Clark Rigging and their 400 ton Terex crane was recently
called upon to provide crane service to replace a far-reaching cooling
tower from the Destiny Mall in Syracuse, NY.
The crane was mobilized
and setup with 200 feet of luffing jib and 257,000 lbs. of counterweight
to safely perform the farthest pick.
February, 2018
Clark Rigging kicked 2018 off with a large coordinated project at the SUNY Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse, NY. Erie Mechanical Contractors, Inc. was contracted to replace almost two dozen over-sized HVAC units located near the center of the busy Cancer Center complex. Because of their immense size, these units presented a logistics challenge to not only get them to the hospital in a coordinated manner, but also not disrupt the daily flow of people and emergency traffic at the facility.
For a solution, Erie Mechanical called upon Clark Rigging & Rental. Clark's experienced project management team in Syracuse, NY devised a five step plan to safely accomplish the task at hand:
Step 1 - Ship all new HVAC units from factory directly to Clark's Syracuse facility and store.
Step 2 - Erect a 400 ton crane at the Cancer Center one day prior to setting units.
Step 3 - Reload all new units onto twelve of Clark's trucks and dispatch each to Cancer Center in a coordinated fashion.
Step 4 - Use the crane at the Cancer Center to offload and set new rooftop units in place.
Step 5 - Dismantle the crane and demobilize all equipment from SUNY Upstate Cancer Center.
Because of the large volume of traffic typically found at the SUNY Upstate Cancer Center during daytime business hours, Clark Rigging opted to minimize their impact on the medical facility by beginning work on a Friday night and working straight through the weekend during off-peak hospital hours.
After months of meticulous planning, the date was set to put the plan into action. All Clark Rigging crews and equipment were dispatched, and within 36 hours, all were back safely to the Syracuse yard with job completed as planned. This is just another example of how Clark Rigging & Rental can help you accomplish most any difficult challenge.
October 2017
Clark Rigging was recently called upon to provide crane service needed for the deck refurbishment of the River Street bridge over Tonawanda Creek in Batavia, NY. The task seemed simple - remove and replace the bridge beams with a crane from each side. However, because of the length of the bridge, large cranes with extensive reach situated on both sides of the span were needed for the removal and replacement of each concrete encased steel girder. Clark utilized their 300 and 400 ton cranes for the work. Working in unison, both cranes were used to carefully pick, slide, then load each beam onto awaiting trucks. Because of how efficiently the beam removal went, Clark was again called upon weeks later to set the new deck beams on the bridge. As expected, all went well and Batavia's newest bridge is expected to be open to traffic soon!
April 2017
Most of us take for granted the utilities we rely on that enrich our lives daily. We may not understand the huge utility system that’s in place to give us uninterrupted electrical service each and every day. And, when our infrastructure ages, it becomes unreliable and eventually obsolete. Therefore, utility companies must continuously invest in new critical components to assure uninterrupted service for us all. The Clark Companies are also investing in the tools and equipment needed to assist the utility companies in the installation of these valuable components.
In a recent example of this, Clark Rigging was contracted to remove and replace a 200,000 lb. transformer for National Grid in a live powered, fully-functioning switch yard. The task of moving giant transformers in a facility surrounded by live electricity can be daunting and dangerous without proper planning, the right equipment, and experienced personnel. The key equipment used in this project was a brand new 500 ton capacity Hydra Slide jack-and-slide system. This system enables the smooth, seamless, and safe movement of large, heavy equipment that utilities demand. After weeks of detailed planning, the project began and was completed without a hitch.
By continuously investing in such specialized equipment, this illustrates the commitment and respect for this important market that the Clark Companies have become proficient at. As with all equipment that Clark acquires, careful study precedes any purchase to make sure it is industry leading and appropriate for the high expectations for utility companies. Public and private utilities need professional expertise to complete these critical maneuvers, and Clark is continually making the necessary investments to help maintain the services that we all use every day.
November 2016
Clark Rigging was recently involved in a very successful public/private partnership project. The New York State Thruway Authority desperately needed to replace a damaged bridge on the I-190 overpass interchange, located just outside of the City of Buffalo. This is an extremely busy section of expressway, and the repair could not significantly interrupt traffic in a chaotic shut down. State engineers had initially brainstormed a plan which proposed using a very large crane to sit along side the thruway and reach over traffic lanes to remove and replace the damaged bridge span. The strict parameters set a time line that minimized thruway traffic delays. Unfortunately, state officials did not realize the scope of work that would be needed to use this approach. In meetings with private contractors, it was evident that the state engineer’s plan wasn’t feasible due to the huge financial cost and time consideration. To alleviate this, Clark Rigging suggested the use of a large mobile crane to perform the work while positioned on the thruway directly under the overpass. It became obvious that this idea could meet all the goals of the state plan, but in a much less expensive and shorter time frame.
State engineers now realized that with the right contractor and equipment, the entire bridge section could be removed and replaced with minimum disruption to thruway traffic. A detailed plan was established between Clark Rigging and the New York State DOT to work through the night hours when traffic is typically at a minimum. With detailed planning and the usual professionalism of Clark Rigging’s personnel, a 600 ton Demag AC 500-2 mobile crane was quickly mobilized to remove and replace the bridge section during one twelve hour shift. Everything went as planned, as crews and equipment worked tirelessly on through the night until completion. The entire project proved to be extremely successful, and normal traffic resumed by the morning hours.
Because of the efficient results by working together, our hope at Clark Rigging is that these public/private endeavors will become the norm. Clark specializes in finding solutions to unusual lifting projects and continues to be relied on for their great efforts to get the tough jobs done safely. It’s what Clark has done for six decades and continues to strive for in the future.
State University at Buffalo
Transformer Failure
October 2016
Recently the University at Buffalo had a big problem. A 40-year old transformer failed and threatened the power supply to the huge athletic complex in Alumni Arena. UB is a division one competitor in the midst of an active season of sports. The roof mounted transformer (one of two) needed to be replaced as soon as possible. If the remaining transformer failed, the facility would become paralyzed.
Years back, the university wisely anticipated for such a problem, and then prepared for this unfortunate outage by calling on the reputable team of Clark Rigging and O'Connell Electric to rig a spare transformer unit into nearby storage. So when the transformer went down, both companies were called upon again and responded immediately.
Shawn Foti received the initial call from O'Connell and promptly met with anxious UB staff who explained the significance of the problem. After making careful measurements and observing the site, Shawn laid out a workable plan to remove and replace the transformer. Noting that the 25,000 lb. unit was located on the roof of an enormous building, it was determined that this work would require Clark's largest crane (600 ton) with special attachments to fulfill this time sensitive project.
Once the plan was accepted, the wheels literally started turning. The professionalism of Clark's personnel made it possible to get the crane and its' 14 truck-loads of components on site, and be erected within one day. The logistics were challenging to say the least. Trying to fit a huge crane in a small area, assemble it, and be ready to go at a busy college campus took intense planning. With the experience and support of all Clark's trusted team, Shawn knew it could be done and promised the customer that Clark would complete the swap out in UB's time requirement. The relieved staff at UB could now watch as Clark and O'Connell took over and delivered as promised.
This is why our customers exclusively use Clark Rigging. They know if a critical situation arises, Clark will be there with whatever it takes. The huge fleet of cranes and equipment, to the experienced project managers and impressive safety program, Clark Rigging can accomplish the most aggressive projects consistently. Clark has so many worthy projects that happen day in and day out that it's great to mention just how things get done when it's crunch time. Clark Rigging is very proud of its ability to achieve the results that make difficult situation look routine. Our customer’s success makes Clark Rigging a success!