Southern Crane Helps Construct Raleigh Ice Rink

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December 8, 2011–Southern Crane, Raleigh, N.C., hoisted chillers into place for the Raleigh Winterfest ice rink downtown, and participated in the Raleigh Christmas Parade. Early last week, Southern Crane lifted the large chillers used to freeze the Winterfest ice rink, which opened in downtown Raleigh on Dec. 3.

Southern Crane used its 190-ton crane, “The Bear,” to easily hoist into place the heavy chillers for rink creators Magic Ice USA.  Installing chillers is the most crucial part of constructing the 45-foot by 90-foot rink, given Raleigh’s average December temperature of 54°.

Southern Crane also joined Raleigh’s annual Christmas Parade as the first crane company to participate. The company’s 100-ton crane was decorated with a giant wreath adorned with 75 feet of fresh pine garland and a Christmas tree on top of its boom.

In a few weeks, Southern Crane will also help the Raleigh celebrate another of its traditions, lowering the city’s iconic giant acorn, at First Night Raleigh. The acorn sculpture is made of copper and steel and weighs 1,250 pounds. Southern Crane has lowered the acorn at the stroke of midnight every year since the inaugural First Night Raleigh held in 1991.