Photographs of 100 ton lifting apparatus being prepared for a test lift in the 'New' Heavy Assembly Shop, Part 3 of 3

Taken in December 1970

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Gloucestershire Archives
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Gloucestershire Archives
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Gloucestershire Archives
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Gloucestershire Archives
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Gloucestershire Archives
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Gloucestershire Archives

Part 3 series of photographs illustrates the lifting apparatus that was designed primarily to lift a complete extrusion press assembly (minus die slide cylinder) from floor onto road transport.

This development reduced significantly the time required to strip each press prior to transportation.  The extra stiff construction of the fully pre-stressed 16MN and 20MN extrusion presses enabled this to be achieved.  

The 5th photo shows a 3 column extrusion press (c.80 tons) being lifted from its bedplates as part of the test.  The man in front of the press is operating  the crane by means of a radio controller.

The 6th photo shows a closer view of the radio controller, in this case being operated to move the main cylinder and housing assembly for Slobodan copper extrusion press. 

Comments about this page

  • Hi John!  In all these photos is John Pickernell doing the slinging, assisted by Chris Cruse in 2, 3 and 4 and a crane driver who looks familiar but I can’t put a name to the face unfortunately? The lifting jig was quite a bit of kit!  Chippy Aston.

    By Graham Aston (26/02/2014)
  • Hi Chippy! It is definitely John Pickernell doing the slinging, which he did for many years, mainly in Hyd 1 and latterly in the New Shop. I am sure you are correct in that it is also Chris Cruse in photos 2, 3 and 4. Hopefully, someone will identify the crane driver for us. John B

    By John Bancroft (26/02/2014)
  • Hi John! (and Chippy!) I remember the crane driver in this photo as Bill Green. When the new cranes were put in he was given the job of being the main man on the 100 ton remote controller. Very proud he was too! I seem to remember that a bit later on we built one or two smaller extrusion presses and the lifting beam was used to lift the complete finished press onto the lorry!  Pete.

    By Pete Charlton (26/02/2014)
  • Hi Pete!  Many thanks for completing the names.

    The lifting beam was primarily intended for lifting extrusion presses and you may well be correct that the three column presses were lifted this way since the 16/20MN four column fully pre-stressed presses were not around as early as 1970.  John B

    By John Bancroft (26/02/2014)

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