Press Releases - 2005

Emmert International Picks Two 240,000-pound Diesel Engine Generators From 55' Below Ground Inside A Nuclear Plant

Emmert used a gantry/strand jack system to lift the 240,000-pound engines from three stories below ground (on left) and used a double crane pick to load them on railcars (above) for transport 2,000 miles by rail to their destination

March 2005 - A Texas based utility company asked Emmert International if it was feasible to harvest two diesel engine generator systems from 55' below ground inside a mostly completed nuclear generating facility in Washington State, then transport them to Texas. Many companies refused to bid this job, but the Emmert design team was up to the challenge, and developed a procedure utilizing three different pick and move systems to do the job.

Significant challenges included:

• Extensive demolition had to occur on multiple floors of the building to provide even minimal clearance sufficient for the job
• In order to move the engines into position to take them out of the building, the vertical clearance variation was 1" over 20' of height
• The engines had to be moved four different directions to relocate them from their original position to the door of the building
• The space limitations inside the building did not allow for normal setup and Emmert engineers had to design alternative methods for installation of the equipment within the restrictions
• Lifting equipment had to be placed precisely over the interior structural support to ensure that the weight would be properly distributed
• Inclement weather conditions, including snowstorms, windstorms, and blowing dust provided additional challenges during the process

Emmert successfully completed this job, which many felt was impossible. It stands as a testimony to Emmert's innovative approach to difficult challenges, our ability to develop creative solutions to impossible problems, and our love for challenges deemed too difficult to be done.

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About Emmert International
Headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon, near Portland, Emmert International is a leader in the heavy haul and rigging industry. Founded by Terry Emmert in 1964, Emmert has over 40 years providing hauling and rigging services to customers worldwide.