LNG sphere TransLift systems – Delivery Date: 1977

Client and End User: General Dynamics 

Location: Charleston, South Carolina, USA

TransLift systems moved 12-story-high, 1,000 ton, 120 feet diameter LNG spheres at the General Dynamics tank fabrication facility located at Charleston, S.C.

The TransLift systems moved the massive tanks out of the fabrication building to the hydrostatic test area, next to the insulation building, and then down a grade and onto a special transport barge for the journey to the General Dynamics shipyard at Quincy, Mass. The TransLift systems moved and positioned the spheres by “walking,” using the principle of alternate weight transference from center load supports, or feet, to outer supports.

Each system consisted of three TransLift units, composed of individual diesel-driven hydraulic power supply control console for operation of the hydraulic lift and moving cylinders. All units in a system were operated precisely in unison by one operator through a remote pendant control.

Because of the low-psi ground load footprint, the TransLift systems could be used over a variety of yard surfaces.