 SHIPLEY, NR. HORSHAM, WEST SUSSEX
One of the smoothest operations I have seen took place recently when two of Shipley's 34ft sweeps were replaced, together with a new 42 ft stock.
|
 |
The crane was booked for 8 am, as the weather forecast was for wind - however this never materialised. I arrived at a quarter to eight to find that the crane driver had beaten me to it, and was deep in conversation with Neil Medcalf, the millwright.
The crane backed down the mill drive and into place without sinking into the ground, and was quickly set up. One problem quickly appeared, as, although the crane had a jib extension, it was impossible to find the necessary 60 ft of clearance to swing it into position, so it was necessary to rely on the main jib, which was only 105 ft maximum height.
However the combination of sweep and stock needed raising to a height of 110ft off the ground !
This meant that the crane needed attaching rather lower down the stock, and, and in spite of this, the whole was lifted surprisingly quickly into the air. Between the crane driver and millwright there was some frantic juggling to get the tip of the stock into the canister, and - suddenly it was in, and being lowered into place.
 |
Neil had fastened the oak clamps onto the stock with a single bolt, so they were located at the same time as the stock. He climbed the top sweep and released the crane hook, and the first stage was complete. I looked at my watch - it was only five past nine !
A pause while the stock was bolted in, and the second sweep followed about a hour and a half later, with Neil climbing it while it hung on the crane, armed with the two long bolts. He pushed these through, and fitted the nuts, and the major part of the operation was complete, with the crane packing up soon after eleven.
|
The only hiccup was when the crane started to leave and sank into the ground - our four big steel mesh sheets soon sorted that, and the crane went on its way. My only regret was that I had booked the crane for a full day instead of a half day !
Jim Woodward-Nutt 
|
|
