BIG MOVES: REPLACING A MASSIVE AUTOCLAVE

Walker Brothers’ partner company, Omega Morgan, provided invaluable expertise when a manufacturing firm based in Arlington, WA needed to upgrade their telephone pole pressure treating equipment with minimal production downtime. The manufacturer’s existing autoclave, which measured at 150 feet long, eight feet in diameter, and weighed a massive 230,000 pounds, needed to be replaced with a larger system to boost production capacity.

The full project objective was to remove the original autoclave, transport the 230,000-pound new autoclave from Sandy, OR to Arlington, WA, and install it in a below-ground pit within a covered pole barn. The machinery moving division of Walker Brothers’ partner company accepted the task and got to work quickly.

MACHINERY MOVING STARTS WITH LOGISTICS

In preparation for this complex machinery move, Walker Brothers’ partner company coordinated with their specialized transportation and crane services teams to plan the logistics of the heavy lift and transport. The first of these logistics involved obtaining superload permits from authorities in Oregon and Washington State. This process typically takes 45 to 60 days, so it was crucial to get these processes moving early on.

Another logistical issue that needed to be sorted was planning how to install the new autoclave into the existing space. While the new autoclave maintained the same length as the former, it was two feet wider in diameter. The teams made several site visits before designing a plan for removal of the old autoclave and installation of the new vessel that accommodated for the wider diameter.

The next step was to focus on the transportation side of logistics. The partner company’s specialized transportation team opted for a custom-built modular dual trailer setup for the haul between Sandy and Arlington. This particular trailer would ensure safe and efficient movement of the oversized autoclave.

MULTI-STEP HEAVY EQUIPMENT MOVING

With plans in place, project execution began, starting with the removal of the existing autoclave. To perform this removal, the partner company’s machinery moving crew used jacks to lift the autoclave inside the pit. They then skated the autoclave over pads that would support its base. Next, they jacked up the autoclave even more until it cleared the pit. Using a tri-lifter, the crew pulled the autoclave the rest of the way out. Finally they were able to slide the SPMT under the vessel and transport it out of the work area.

While the moving crew in Arlington removed the old autoclave, crews in Sandy worked to lift and transport the new vessel. Walker Brothers’ partner company’s transportation crew coordinated with their crane services crew to lift the new autoclave onto two custom-built trailers. After expertly securing the load, they began the three-day journey to Arlington, WA guided by pilot escorts. With road closures and the help of traffic controllers, the transport arrived safely and was ready for the next step in the replacement process.

To install the new autoclave into the underground machinery pit, the partner company’s machinery moving crew used tri-lifters to lift the autoclave off the trailer and position it over a slide track. The crew then worked for six days carefully maneuvering the autoclave into the pit using a jack and slide system.

HEAVY MACHINERY MOVERS WHO PUT SAFETY FIRST

The manufacturing firm was very satisfied with the crews’ work safely replacing the autoclave with minimal production downtime. Like Walker Brothers, their partner company holds safety as a top value and makes every effort to ensure safe handling throughout every project. This massive move was a perfect example of those efforts. Despite the complexities, the multiple steps, and the heavy equipment and machinery involved, the crews maintained safe job sites, delivering results and a job done right.