Page 48: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2020)

HEAVY LIFTERS “We proof test every individual lifter. Not one in a batch, every single lifter gets proof tested ... We are serious about proof testing because lives are at stake.”

John DiMartino

President, Tandemloc

Photos: Tandemloc to different lengths for different lift ap- Caps, a kit that enables the user to change evaluates whether or not a particular set plications. Those that are not in stock spans quickly and simply, instead of of caps or pipe is usable for other lifts can be shipped in 5 to 7 workdays. Ca- having different lengths of spreader pipe and also provides working load infor- pacities are up to 100,000 pounds in this on hand. “Our design is an improvement mation for our telescopic pipe kits as delivery window, greater capacities are over a ‘modular’ spreader beam design you change spans.

possible with longer lead times.” that incorporates fixed length sections Another, the “Modular Autoloc,” is

Outside of heavy lifting the company of flanged pipe weldments and requires transported on a shippable pallet in- is active in specialty container products, the user to mix-and-match the sections side a closed van, saving the significant such as VI-SO Connectors, Container to get the desired length and then fi- freight costs. It also takes up less real

Casters and Hydraulic Lift Caster Sys- nally bolt the sections together to make estate for storage. The unit can be as- tems. VI-SO clamping connectors offer a spreader,” said DiMartino. “With our sembled to lift 20-ft. containers or 40- a rigid connection which in certain ap- design the incremental length adjust- ft. containers. “It’s ‘pin-together’ design plications is necessary, such as contain- ment is in inches, versus the modular makes for fast assembly for either size,” er living modules. system’s foot-length adjustability. This said DiMartino. “Just like our standard

Finally, its Hydraulic Lift Casters are has been well received in the field, en- Autoloc spreaders, this nonpowered wheeled jacks that fit into the corner abling the end user tremendous versatil- spreader is considered semi-automatic, fittings and hydraulically lift the con- ity while saving labor time.” as it has simple mechanical operation tainer up to 13.5 inches off of the deck To help the customer select the correct with no electronics or hydraulics. The and provide mobility in a very compact End Caps along with sizing the pipe and twist locks unlock or lock when the package. the correct length to cut, Tandemloc of- crane operator slackens the sling wires,

Most recently Tandemloc developed fers an App on our website which makes providing for safe operation with mini-

Telescopic Spreader Pipe Kits for End this process easy and foolproof. It also mal personnel involvement.”

Tandemloc designed and manufactured and tested as possible. In the end, the operator’s force required to the AT09 “Rocket” Adjustable Spreader Beam. With move the load on the final design was approximately 25 a capacity rating of 170,000 pounds, the beam was lbs,” said Bill DiMartino, Tandemloc Executive VP required to provide a critically specific adjustment range and Director of Engineering. Per industry standards, while “under load.” A mechanical single-operator design, prior to its first use out in the field the beam was proof the adjustments are made via an 80 ft. pull chain that tested to 212,500 lbs, inspected, and certified. Despite drives the beam’s padeyes and horizontally shifts the the critical and high-profile nature of the lift, DiMartino sensitive product so that it can be accurately placed found peace in the company’s testing program. “I felt in a special carriage. The design’s most challenging quite calm when the product went into service, because

Case Case Study aspect was that “they wanted to keep the force required I knew the product was made correctly, and the proof by the [pull chain] operator to be 40 lbs or less. This testing went off without a hitch,” said DiMartino. The required very precise engineering and manufacturing “Rocket” beam has continued its successful lifting career so that all of the moving parts met as little resistance in a secure and unnamed location.

48 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2020

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