Building Maintenance Equipment from E.W. COX

Sydney Harbour Bridge Maintenance Gantry

E.W.Cox has completed the design, manufacture and installation of 4 maintenance access cranes to Sydney's landmark Harbour Bridge. The cranes run on top of the aches of the bridge and are used for the painting and general maintenance of the bridge.

In order to maintain the heritage appearance of the bridge, the specification required the new cranes to recreate the silhouette profile of the old cranes being replaced. Whilst retaining an 'old' appearance, the cranes are fitted with state-of -the art control systems together with a 40 year design life. The crane motions are driven by hydraulics, with PLC control of every function.

Two work platforms are provided on each crane to provide access to both sides of the bridge trusses. Each cradle has a separate twin rope hoist located inside the crane, and the jibs of the crane automatically adjust for the varying angle of the arch. The rated safe working load capacity of each jib is 2500kg.

Each crane climbs up the arch of the bridge using a twin rope drum winch located inside the crane. The ropes for this winch are diverted to each side of the crane, and are anchored at the top of the arch.

As each crane traverses up the arch of the bridge, the cabin automatically adjusts to provide a level platform for the operators.

The cranes each have a special walkway beneath the crane, to allow operators and other personnel to travel past the crane in a safe manner, with out interrupting the operation of the crane.