Modulift Spreader Frame Lifts Iconic Horse Statues
Irish rental firm O’Carroll Haulage and Crane Hire used a Modulift modular spreader frame to lift two famous bronze statues and place them into temporary storage. The statues needed to be kept safely out the way while a major construction project took place at the Curragh Racecourse, located on the Curragh plain in County Kildare, Ireland.
The larger statue, complete with jockey, commemorates the legendary Vintage Crop, a British-bred, Irish-trained thoroughbred racehorse best known for becoming the first overseas runner to win Australia’s premier race, the Melbourne Cup.
The lighter statue represents Nijinsky, known in the United States as Nijinsky II, a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained thoroughbred and sire. Both statues had to be removed still attached to their concrete foundations.
What Equipment Was Used?
Co. Limerick-based O’Carroll utilised the Modulift CMOD modular spreader frame and supporting rigging gear. This was used below the hook of a 100t Palfinger PK 100002 Performance loader crane mounted on an articulated truck.
The crane and rigging equipment was sourced from O’Carroll stock but the modular spreader frame was provided by its familiar partner and Modulift distributor in Ireland, Irlequip. The CMOD 12 was used in this instance but the range spans CMOD 6 to CMOD 250, boasting a 300t capacity.
The fleet of loaders plus Liebherr and Grove mobile cranes are primarily busied by the construction and utilities marketplaces, but O’Carroll said the Curragh project epitomised the company’s “anything, anytime, anywhere” ethos. “Business is picking up but diverse applications like this challenge us to remain innovative in our above and below-the-hook solutions.”
How Did the Lift Take Place?
The statues were both lifted, one at a time, onto the truck, then secured and transported together to an on-site storage area approx. 500m away. Upon arrival, both statues were offloaded. A lift area and pathway for the vehicle were prepared with hardcore prior to the lifting team’s arrival onsite.
John Sisk & Son Limited, the main contractor for the work, presented O’Carroll with a challenging scope of work to remove the statues, weighing 6.7t and 4.5t respectively. Previously, it had been considered to simply protect them under a covering for the duration of the construction work, but they were deemed of too great a historical importance to the course to risk this.
The statues were lifted from the racecourse’s parade ring, which will be transformed by the new development. A new ring will ensure that more patrons can share in the excitement and build up to races.
The new Curragh will also see the creation of world-class facilities on par with any racecourse in the world. The centrepiece of the redevelopment will see the creation of a major new grandstand that will incorporate five-star corporate facilities.
Why Modulift’s CMOD Spreader Frame Was the Perfect Choice
Modulift spreader frames offer a versatile lifting solution, with a range of sizes available from the CMOD 6 to the CMOD 250. These frames offer a way to connect Modulift spreader beams together, with four corner units to complete the frame, offering a stable, strong lifting system.
The CMOD 12 was used for the Curragh Racecourse project because it was a suitable size for the lift and is a reasonably lightweight frame that is easily manoeuvred. The benefit of our spreader frames is that they can also be used in situations where height considerations are important as the rig is lower than a one-over-two configuration.
Choose Modulift for Diverse Lifts
No matter the project, Modulift have a range of lifting systems that can help with transporting even the most diverse cargo. From sub-sea spreaders to vehicles and modular buildings – Modulift spreader beams and lifting beams offer innovative solutions for otherwise challenging lifts. This includes custom beams designed specifically for your project.
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