Cape Town-based lifting equipment manufacturer BB Cranes is preparing to deliver the final two cranes of a five-machine order from water technology designer and contractor PCI Africa.
The two four-ton underslung cranes, spanning five metres, will be installed in new upper and lower screw pumpstations that form part of the Zandvliet Wastewater Treatment Works’ expansion.
PCI Africa is managing the multimillion-rand expansion of Zandvliet’s daily capacity from 72-million to 90-million litres.
Zandvliet is responsible for the southern parts of Kuils River, Delft, Blackheath, Blackheath Industria, Blue Downs, Eerste River, De Wijnlanden, Thembokwezi, Mxolisi Phetani and Khayelitsha.
BB Cranes, which is majority- owned by Condra, ergonomically designed both machines to facilitate manual control of the long-travel, cross-travel and lift.
The company has already delivered a four-ton, 14.7 m double-girder electric overhead travelling crane for the dewatering building and two articulated hoists for the poly-storeroom and service-water pumpstation.
BB Cranes has worked closely with PCI Africa over the past three years to tailor its products to meet the project’s requirements, which include paint and other anticorrosion specifications unique to the operating environment, says BB Cranes GM Stephen Brink.
Meanwhile, the company expects an increase in demand for cranes, hoists and other lifting equipment associated with pumpstation upgrades and increasing wastewater purification capacity.
“Beyond the recent deliveries and orders, the two companies have together submitted tenders for lifting equipment required by a number of other pumpstation projects in the Western Cape, as well as in Botswana and Namibia,” he highlights.