It’s Our Privilege – The Multilift and the WWII Memorial

The town of Worcester Massachusetts made many sacrifices during World War 2, as did many others who were alive during this time. Worcester, lovingly referred to as the “Heart of the Commonwealth” sent 24,000 soldiers to the war; many of whom never made it back home. The members of the community that did not leave for war contributed in their own way with 80 percent working in war-related jobs such as preparing and delivering clothing, boots, and artillery. The war affected so many that in 2008, 70 years after the end of the war, the town constructed a WWII monument in honor of all its veterans and war supporters.

Now in 2016, nearly 6 years later, this monument is seeing a major face-lift thanks to the major’s request for its enhancement in a BIG way. Originally, 6 very large and heavy granite piers surrounded a brick patio of sorts. Moving these piers was no easy task. Each required removal and placement to the side at the start of the project. This is where the Kenco Multilift came into play. Its scissor-style grip allowed for the workers to carefully clamp onto each piece. The pads gripped snugly without marring the surface which was of great importance. Each pier was then lifted safely out of the way.

Also needing removal were the granite steps that surrounded the perimeter of the original structure. The versatility of the American-made Kenco Multilift proved its value yet again. With a minor adjustment of the legs on either side of the lifter, the grip range was now suitable for the width of these steps. Each step was picked up using only one machine operator and a worker to help guide them.

As quickly as the monument was de-constructed, it was re-constructed. However, this time it was given some very unique and inspiring additions. For instance, 60 water jets were centrally installed. 2 large jets represented the Atlantic and Pacific, 6 medium jets stood for the six military branches, and the remainder were devoted to Worcester residents who lost their life in the war. Each pier was stamped with the seal of each of the military branches. There was also installation of additional monuments with the names of each and every Worcester veteran’s name.

June 4th, 2016 – the dedication event is in full swing. Veterans from town find their way to this new and improved monument, constructed with love and respect for their sacrifices. The National Anthem is sung by Eric Jaeger and rings in the day’s events. A time capsule becomes a vessel of truth with letters of veterans placed in it, not to be opened and read for another 100 years. Imagine the stories! Some stand, some lean upon their canes, others sit in their wheelchairs as they cast their eyes upon this beauty of a memorial, devoted solely to them. It’s a day to never forget and projects like the never go to wayside for us. It is with great respect, admiration and pride that we continue to serve those that serve us. Thank you for choosing our Multilift to help with your project and Thank You to our veterans for your continued service.

*We realize some of the images do not include the Multilift. Although we hope to show the relevance of our equipment to any project, we felt as though the scope of the project required even more focus than our attempt at a sales pitch. (Non-Multilift) Picture credit: WorcesterMag.com 

It’s a Tough Job – Gravestones and the Monument Lift

 

Selecting a monument is a demanding process within itself, so why should setting it in place it be? Most people probably don’t think much about what happens at the cemetery after you kick the bucket. Honestly, I don’t even want to consider any of the details! (Yikes!) Once you have been laid to rest, some type of grave marker needs to be placed to designate this new “home away from home” as your final resting place. Amazingly enough, it doesn’t magically appear there like elves hiding gifts. Sorry no elves here! Pardon me. Let me get serious for a moment. It is possibly the awkwardness of this discussion that is getting to me. So respectfully, I will move on…

Cemetery workers have the job of preparing and maintaining the memorial grounds where our loved ones have been laid to rest. They must mark each and every site with a grave marker or monument, often times without additional help. These granite monuments are heavy and often require more strength than a single person can muster. Kenco offers a couple of gravestone handling and monument lifting solutions. One is a smaller version of our well-established barrier lifter called the Kenco Monument Lift, while the other is our scaled down Multilift.

The Monument Lift has a 1500 pound capacity and can be attached to a mini excavator, skid steer or any other machine with lifting capabilities.  The granite can be moved from the delivery location to the grave site safely, with little interruption to the surrounding landscape. A grip range of 3 to 12 inches is suitable for the majority of typical monument sizes. Non-marring elastomer pads provide a secure grip on the polished stone. In addition, a rubber pad cushions the top of the stone.

Another alternative is the Multilift, which can be attached to any of those same machines. It boasts a 3000 pound capacity, plus the legs can be manually adjusted to grab from 5 to 32 inches in width. It also has the same non-marring elastomer pads to ensure a tight grip and prevent damage to the polished surface.

Either of these Kenco lifting products will streamline the process and allow a single person to do the job without worry of damage to the granite, therefore saving the workers’ back in the process.  

 

Patching Roadways with the Kenco Slab Crab

In a perfect world a roadway would never need repair. It would withstand all elements including mother nature and the wrath of daily vehicular slaughter. However, a short drive down nearly any interstate will prove this is simply not the case. Orange cones and construction sites are a common sight and rightfully so. To put it in perspective, the Pennsylvania Turnpike feels the impact of at least 500,000 vehicles per day. That’s over 3.5 million vehicles per week! With today’s heavier freight loads and the increasing number of drivers on the road, imagine the wear and tear our roadway system sees every year.

With this type of abuse, comes the need for repairs with the safety of all travelers being the utmost concern. A very common practice to fix large cracks, holes, or structurally failing roadways is to patch them. Patching first requires the removal of the concrete surface down to the subbase. The damaged section of concrete will first be saw cut into a manageable size. Then a hammer is often used to break apart these slabs into smaller pieces. After switching out machines or construction attachments, a bucket removes the rubble. This process requires strenuous hours and additional time to repair the disturbed subbase misplaced by the digging action of the bucket.  

So the question is – could there be a concrete removal machine to keep workers safe, cut down time, and keep the subbase intact? There most certainly is! And the great news is you may already have this tool in your toolbox. What is it? The Kenco Slab Crab of course! You didn’t think this excavator attachment was just for bridge deck removal, did you?

When it comes to assisting in concrete removal for patching of roadways, sidewalks, or even pathways, the Kenco Slab Crab shines in its multi-purpose glory. Just like a typical attachment, it is sized specifically for your machine or quick attach system. However, what makes it entirely different is heavy duty ribbing making it far more rugged than any conventional bucket. The elongated base frame reduces the digging effect on the subbase and allows for the slab to be loaded in a single horizontal movement. The sides are cut deep towards the back of the throat assuring the slab’s width will be fully supported in a cantilever fashion. The bucket teeth of the Kenco slab crab can also be used to provide optimal force to pry the slab up and break it loose if need be. And best of all, the slabs can be loaded onto a truck for easy removal. No rubble or broken concrete to  fuss with.

Click photo to see the video of HRI removing the slabs

Click to see video of HRI removing the slabs

For more information on the Kenco Slab Crab, contact our sales department. Toll free 800-653-6069, Option 1. 

Introducing the Pipe Hook with Box Culvert Wings

Pipe Hook with culvert wings         Pipe hook with wings lifting culvert box       Pipe Hook with culvert wings

 

The Kenco Pipe Hook was originally designed specifically for the lifting, moving, and setting of concrete pipe and has since become the leader in the pipe-handling market. With such great success, comes a new “addition” that aims to add more versatility for higher productivity on the jobsite.

Currently both round and square box culverts are lifted by connecting and disconnecting a special rigging system or bridle to perform every lift and release sequence. This takes unnecessary time and in the current fast-paced construction field, time means money equating to money lost.

What if there were an easier way? What if one lift could do more than just one job? Now, there is just that. Meet the Kenco Pipe Hook with detachable box concrete culvert pipe lifter wings.

These box culvert wings are designed specifically for the job at hand. They are attached via a keyway system to each side of the hook’s main body. The mechanics of the lift process remain the same as for lifting RCP. The operator approaches the culvert from the side to insert the hook. The wings will help to stabilize and balance the culvert box, assuring that no tilting or twisting occurs during the lift process. Each lift happens in a single smooth motion with the set and release step occurring just as quickly. It’s a safe and efficient way to increase your productivity while saving you from purchasing multiple lifts to do each job individually.

There is no doubt that this ‘dual purpose’ Pipe Hook is going to become the next best “tool in your toolbox”. And if you already have a Pipe Hook, contact us about a weld-on kit so you too can take advantage of this new design improvement. This can be the best investment you’ve made in a long time to make the job go more smoothly.

Introducing the Kenco Double Barrier Lift

Now you can lift TWO barrier walls at a time with the Double Barrier Lift!

  • Move barrier wall twice as fast with the new Kenco Double Barrier Lift. This automatic lifter machine can grab two walls at a time, or it can also be used to handle single wall sections.
  • This automatic lifter machine has a fully automatic action to allow hands-free operation. It grips when it is set down, and will not release until the wall has been placed into position.
  • The Double Barrier Lifter is ready for immediate operation on any type or model of machine with lifting capabilities. No need to attach additional hydraulics. It hooks up with a typical sling and shackle assembly (not included).
  • Alignment legs extrude from one side of the lifter so the operator can guide the lifter onto the wall.
  • The pad angles swivel to match the slope of the wall being lifted, and elastomer pads ensure a secure grip, even in wet weather.
  • Grip ranges and capacities are engineered to meet specific requirements.

Kenco furnishes attachments for excavators from mini to 200,000 pounds, wheel loaders from 1 to 40 yards, dozers, and skid steer machines.

 

Crazy Horse Memorial meets the Kenco RockLift

Crazy Horse, one of the most notable Native American war leaders in history, could have never imagined how he would someday be memorialized. A man who had been characterized as being shy or aloof now towers over 500 feet above the Black Hills in South Dakota. The Crazy Horse Memorial finished product will surpass Mount Rushmore as having the largest sculpture of the human head measuring a whopping 87 feet tall! It will also be the largest sculpture in the world upon completion but this project hasn’t come without delays.

For years Crazy Horse sat untouched, waiting for funding to finish the project. But with every few steps back, comes several more forward, and once again the mountain is buzzing with excavators and workers. You can imagine the absolute honor and privilege it was when Kenco was contacted for help. They needed a way to move rock atop the mountain from the place it has been cut to a safe location away from the job site, with the safety of their workers being at the utmost concern. Kenco of course, had a solution and within a short time period, our Rocklift was put into action. Images and videos of the site show the nearly completed face of Crazy Horse almost casting a watchful eye as each rock is meticulously chipped away and carried with ease. Workers are safe and the mountain has been awoken once again.

Not every Kenco Rocklift will be as lucky to be a part of such a project, but every Rocklift will perform like the last – safely and consistently. No matter the size of the project, there truly is a lift for it and this project is a true testament to that.

Kenco Pipe Lift in Colombia

Butler Tech setting pipe in Columbia

PL2250 to set the Surelock pipe system in Columbia        PL2250 in Columbia

Kenco PL2250 Pipe Lifts are being used on the largest project currently underway in Colombia, South America. This is the first project where they have laid this size of pipe in Colombia utilizing the Surelock mechanical pipe joint system. Butler Tech has been contracted for the project, and they are seen in the photos working near the coastal village of Tolu.

Gabe Guevara of Surelock had this to say about our pipe lifting tongs: ‘Thought you might to see your Pipe Lifts in action. They work great. Best and safest lifts we’ve ever used. These pipe lifts in Columbia project have increased our productivity by more than 25%, and we’ve received praise from our client for the safety and ease of operation. We are extremely proud of these lifts.’

 

Horse power is still used in construction in Tolu, Columbia           The coastal village of Tolu, Columbia

Kenco at ICUEE 2015

 

Make plans to visit us in Louisville, Kentucky for the ICUEE Trade Show, exhibiting from September 29th – October 1st, at the Kentucky Exposition Center. We will be displaying our incredible Kenco lifting products and attachments in the South Wing, booth 3626.

Precast Show 2016

The Precast Show is being held in Nashville, Tennessee from March 3rd to March 5th, 2016 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Kenco will be displaying and demonstrating a variety of their incredible lifting attachments. Stop by to visit them in Booth 1070.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017

Kenco will be exhibiting and demonstrating our incredible line of lifting attachments at Conexpo 2017 in Las Vegas, March 7 – 11.