28
RIGGINGREVIEW
ACT
DECEMBER2014
beanythingover254,000pounds,wehave
transportedobjectsoverpublichighways
thatwere ten times that size.”
Regarding twoof the larger vessels
thecompanyhas transported, ina
simultaneous convoyno less, Burkhalter
spokeof dimensions that areabsolutely
staggering.
“Each [of thevessels]hadagross
configurationweight just under2.6million
pounds andwere28 feet tall, 22 feetwide,
and346 feet long.Anything thatmassive is
obviouslygoing toposechallenges:weight
capacitieson roadways andbridges, load
distribution, crossingunderutility lines,
turn radiuses andobstructions suchas
road signsor trees, just tonamea few.”
When loads are that bigand that heavy,
almost anythingcanbecomeapotential
hazard.WhenWolfeHouseandBuilding
Moverswaspreparing for theReeseHouse
relocation, therewereconcerns that the
underground sewer andwatermains
wouldbecrushedunder all thatweight.
Which way to go
ForBurkhalterRigging, however, the
concerns aredifferent, butnot bymuch.
Theageof someof the roads andbridges
theyneed tonavigatecanbecomea
deciding factoron the route.
“Ourbiggest challenges are route
feasibilityandpermitting, especiallywhen
travelingbetween states,” saidBurkhalter.
“Wehave tocoordinatewith the states
tomake sureeachagreeswecancross
borders at the same timeandplace.Also,
structural analysisplays abigpart in the
permittingand the route.”
Froma riggingand securement
perspective, superloads alsoposedifficult
challenges.Howmuchengineering is
required ina typical superload?Anywhere
from threedays toayear, Burkhalter said.
“It reallydependson the load,”he said.
“Extensiveengineering is requiredwhen
dealingwith load securement, fabrication,
and loaddistribution.”
Burkhalter said they facechallenges
with superloads that are similar to the
challenges they faceonother transport
jobs, just onamuch larger scale.
“Superloads require innovation–each
job isuniqueand rarely straightforward.
But thenagain, if itwas simpleand
straightforward, everybodywouldbe
doing it.”
■
Superloads are a regulart part of Burkhalter’s business. The companywon the SC&RA
Hauling Job of the Year in 2013 for transporting two 1,425,730-pound hydrogen sulfide
(H2S) absorbers.
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