Mantis’ Largest Model Brings Power Back to the Gulf Coast

Enlarge Image With a 128-foot, four-section boom, the 100-ton Mantis 20010 is the company’s largest telecrawler to date.

Subject: Four Mantis telecrawlers

Date: Fall 2008

Equipment Owner: Scott Powerline & Utility Equipment, Monroe, La.

Job Location: Plaquemine, La.

 

January 13, 2009 – After Hurricanes Gustav and Ike assaulted the coasts of Louisiana and Texas, the need was immediate for manpower and equipment to help restore devastated areas. When the largest crawler crane Mantis has introduced yet, the 100-ton 20010, joined Scott Powerline & Utility Equipment’s fleet in Monroe, La., it arrived just in time to go to work on hurricane relief efforts in its own backyard.

 

In the fall, the crane was rented out to North Houston Power Line Corp. (NHPLC), based in Houston, Texas, to help restore power in Plaquemine, La., immediately following Hurricane Gustav. Primarily a power line contractor, NHPLC was called on to replace 24 lattice steel towers representing 500Kv of electricity each.

 

“The work was performed for Entergy, who is one of our customers,” explained Frank Ingram, superintendent for NHPLC. “Entergy called us in as part of the mutual assistance program that has been set up between the power companies and contractors for storm response.”

 

Enlarge Image Four Mantis machines easily handled tricky lifts on this power recovery project in Plaquemine, La.

Four Mantis telecrawlers were used on the project: a 40-ton 8012, two 70-ton 14010 telecrawlers, and the new 100-ton model 20010. The 20010 was configured with an extension and single-part line for the majority of the picks, according to Ingram. The fly jib was installed to work on two river-crossing towers, which were 180 feet tall. The lift made on the fly was 11,200 pounds at 165 feet with a 40-foot radius.

 

“This allowed us to set the bridge, which is approximately 6’x6’x75’,” Ingram said. The towers ranged in weight from approximately 22,000 to 30,000 pounds overall, and were from 150 to 180 feet in height to the static peaks. The major challenge to the job was the need to re-energize the line in as short a time frame as possible. “The 500Kv line is a major link in Entergy’s electrical grid,” he said. “Consequently, we have worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week for six weeks with a 30- to 60-man crew trying to re-energize the line.”

 

The big muscle

With the muscle to lift 40,000 pounds at a maximum tip height of 196 feet, the 20010 is equipped with a versatile heavy-duty telescopic boom and hydraulically extendable crawlers. The 20010’s compact dimensions allow for real flexibility in getting closer to a job and under overhead obstructions. The crane has a 128-foot, four-section boom with a maximum tip height of 137 feet, and a 35-foot swing-away lattice extension and 25-foot jib. The maximum tip height on the jib and extension is 196 feet.

 

In addition, the new Mantis has a load-sense hydraulic package offering 4,900 psi. It is also equipped with dual-swing drives and a full-view cab that provides up to 20-degree operator tilt, rear and winch view cameras and an electronic control module.

 

The 20010 was delivered new to the worksite in mid-September. “We selected this machine for the additional capacity and reach vs. the 14010,” said the NHPLC superintendent. “Mantis is our crane of choice due to the versatility of their machines” as well as the service provided by Scott Powerline, he added.

 

“These companies and crews are doing an amazing job,” Tom Scott Jr., founder and president of Scott Powerline, said of the recovery work that took place all along the Louisiana and Texas coasts following both Gustav and Hurricane Ike. “They are working incredibly hard, long hours, staying in cramped quarters or in their trucks sometimes. It’s truly remarkable. Scott Powerline & Utility Equipment proudly salutes these utility companies and their crews for all their valiant work to help Louisiana and Texas recover from these terrible storms.”