Acculift, a firm specialising in lifting systems, has installed a 60t overhead crane at PTI Transformers’ manufacturing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, replacing equipment that had been in operation for nearly a century.
The company led the project, which required the removal of sections of the building’s roof and the use of a 300t crawler crane to manoeuvre heavy components in and out of the active plant.
PTI Transformers, based in Winnipeg, describes itself as Canada’s largest fully Canadian-owned transformer manufacturer, focusing on custom liquid-filled transformers for North American infrastructure.
The company’s manufacturing process involves handling transformers weighing up to 500t, making reliable lifting systems essential to its operations.
The original crane system, featuring dual 51ft bridge girders and operating at a hook height of 55ft, had been in service for approximately 100 years before a major component failure led to its replacement.
Acculift advised a full system upgrade after reviewing options with PTI, citing the benefits of enhanced reliability, safety, and operator control.
Removal of the old equipment and installation of the new system presented significant logistical challenges.
To remove and install the crane without substantial disruption to production, contractors needed to take out roof sections and use a crawler crane positioned outside to reach roughly 70ft inside the facility.
Phoenix Crane joined the project as a partner for critical lifting operations.
The work involved lifting, rotating, and removing the original crane components onto transport vehicles, then installing the new dual 30t girder bridges on the existing runway system.
During installation, clearance issues caused by support angles on the runway were quickly addressed by Acculift, allowing the project to continue without delay.
Post-installation, the crane passed load testing with water bag weights and has since been commissioned for operational use.
The new system features a 60t lifting capacity, CMAA Class D duty rating for heavy use, variable frequency drives, load summation devices, blue footprint safety lighting, and integrated illumination.
PTI Transformers facilities manager & maintenance supervisor Alastair Webster said: “This particular project was executed very well.
“There were some hiccups along the way, which you can expect on every project, especially one this large. They were handled professionally and efficiently by everyone involved, and to me, this project was a big success.”
Acculift began supplying lifting equipment and services to the manufacturing sector in 1985, managing projects from planning through installation. The company offers a range of lifting solutions, including overhead cranes, jib cranes, magnets, and hoists.
Last month, Acculift installed a 10t overhead crane with a 64ft span for an undisclosed client in the Tillsonburg region of Ontario.
