3rd. Ave. Bridge...Up...Up...and Away!

[Venchka]

It's not everyday that a small company in the Swamp gets to take center stage in the Big Apple. Glad we could help out! That is our rigging between the derrick barge hook and the bridge structure being removed.



Wayne
In the Swamp.

[mmd]

Cool!!

Big toyz is such fun!

[Venchka]

You got it! And we have some really neat big toys!

Wayne

[Smacksman]

In the UK we have simpler ways of opening a bridge for navigation.

Give me a call and I'll put you right

[Mike DeHart]

*crackle* "Third Avenue bridge, Third Avenue bridge, this is inbound service barge requesting an opening, over."

"Inbound barge this is Third Avenue bridge. We have a time restriction on openings. You will have to wait another four hours for the next opening, over."

"Third Avenue bridge, you wouldn't want to make a wager on that four hour wait time, would you? Out."

[Ken Hutchins]

Mike, LOL

[Donn]

I get charged up watching the barge crane moving mid-20's boats. I wouldn't be able to contain myself watching lifts like this.

[Venchka]

I'm sorry, but I didn't know when these lifts were scheduled. I'll do better next time.

[J. Dillon]

It looks like just one half of the span . Where is the other half ? Maybe a yankee moved it to show the rebs how to do it


JD

[Venchka]

Our rigging was used for two lifts. I'm assuming this photo is one of two spans lifted.

Wayne

[J. Dillon]

Congratulations Wayne, Looks like a job well done. BTW how did your rigging outfit enjoy the stay in the "Big Apple" the Harlem river and all that river & road traffic ?

[Venchka]

We only rent the rigging equipment. The only person who went along is our marketing guy/photographer. Lucky individual. On winch projects, we send people. Places like West Africa. Yuck!

[Gary E]

Nice job Wayne, well done.

Now for a short story.

Friend of mine owns a small shop and got the job to build a beam sorta like what you have in that photo. Beam to be used to lift the pilot house on and off of surface ships for the Navy, this pilot house thing is built by then RCA - General Electric, now Lockheed Martin.

Built the beam no problem but part of the contract is proof that it will do the job. Ummm.. what now.... Joe driving down the road one day and there is a heavy equipment dealer, you know bulldozzers, cranes, etc. So Joe whips in there and asks if they have a doser the wgt he needs. Got one bigger or smaller. Make a long story short, they took pics of the rig hoisting that oversize doser and the documation of the weight from Cat. Job done and best part. The check cleared.

[ 07-14-2004, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: Gary E ]

[Venchka]

Real world testing to 150%-200%-300%, whatever the client requires, is a major factor in our quality control. One reason we haven't dropped anything in 22+ years. Yet. We continue to test.

A major treat around here are the testing jobs when the guys get to break things. It's amazing what 3,000,000 pounds of force will do.

Wayne

[Venchka]

WHOA! Look here...we made the cover. Not exactly centerfold material, but hey, this place supports my habits.



And a nice article inside about the company, too.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Bruce Hooke]

Well done!

[Venchka]

Thank you!

[Steve Lansdowne]

Only thing missing that would have made this a perfect photo is a shot of your boat in the water safely moored under the whole contraption.

[Venchka]

Yikes!

[NormMessinger]

Most interesting. What keeps the barge from dipping down in front? Seems to be sitting pretty level with the load.

[ 10-09-2004, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: NormMessinger ]

[Venchka]

Usually water in the other end.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[NormMessinger]

Ah, so. Simple.