22
ACT
JANUARY 2015
RIGGINGREVIEW
bypouring a concretemixdirectlyon the
ground.Wewere concerned that the sand/
soilmixture couldnot take thepressure
and that thepontoonswould crush
through the ground,”he said.
The trailer also featuredoutriggers that
extendedperpendicular to the trailer.
The sideoutriggers provided side-to-side
stabilityonly anddidnot take any load
weight, explainedKlein.
Crane industry solutions
Prior to the successful launch in June
inHawaii, Klein’s team fromColumbia
ScientificBalloonFacility conducted
several test runs at aU.S.NavyBase in
NewMexico. Kleinwas still searching for
a solution to the groundbearingpressure
issueswhen the they tookdeliveryof the
launch tower.
“It took four 18-wheeler loads to
deliver all the components andmast.
As themobile craneswere settingup to
assistwith assembling the launch tower,
Iwatched as the craneoperator used
DICAoutrigger pads under the crane’s
outriggers,” saidKlein. “Theoperator
saidheuses them all the time and that
theywere indestructible.”Constructed
of engineered thermoplastic, SafetyTech
outrigger pads andmats provide
exceptional strength anddurability.
Klein calledDICA todetermine if the
outrigger padmanufacturer had aproduct
that couldwork for theLDSD application.
“Theywere very specific about the
groundbearingpressures and thedesire
todisperse the load to less than30psi.We
worked through themathand calculations
for ground force todemonstratehow the
SafetyTech® outrigger padswouldmeet
theirneed,” saidChrisHingst,DICA
fitting specialist.
Ultimately theLDSDvehicleoperated
perfectly, saidKlein,whowill continue
touse SafetyTechmats for the two
additional test launches planned for 2015.
“SafetyTechOutriggerPads are an
excellent solution tohelp spread the
loadof outrigger supported equipment.
Whether the application is in theutility
industry, construction, roadbuilding,
ormaintenance activities, Safety
Techoutrigger pads provide a strong
foundation,” saidKoberg.
“DICA calculates pad andmat
specifications basedon the customer’s
equipment, outrigger reaction force,
soil bearing capacity, and application,”
saidKoberg. “Theoutrigger pads used
on theLDSDproject are a custom
solution createdbyour teamworking
in collaborationwithNASA engineers.
TheDR422pads usedbyNASA in
the crawler-transporter upgrade are a
standard item inour product line.DICA
is veryproud tohave a continuing role in
the safe setupof launch andmaintenance
programs forNASA,”he said.
■
ABOUTDICA
DICA, based in Guthrie Center, Iowa, is a
family owned and operated company. They
specialize in engineered outrigger pads and
cranemats that aremade in the U.S. DICA
specializes in creating engineered solutions
for improving equipment stability
and ergonomic safety,
DICA outrigger pads and cranemats
are used in 20-plus countries and on
six continents around theworld in
construction, maintenance, electrical utility,
oil and gas and tree care aswell as local,
state and federal government agencies.
Learnmore at
Spreader&
Lifting Frames
SpreaderBeams
LiftingBeams
HeadOffice:+44 (0)1202621511
US tel:011441202621511
Experts in thedesignand
manufactureof standard
andcustomdesigned
LiftingEquipment
t
ModularSpreaderBeamsup to400t
instockandavailable forworldwide
distribution
t
ModularSpreaderBeams for
2-5000tandspansup to100m/330ft
t
Experts inCustomLiftingSolutions
andprojects requiringhighQA
standards
t
Qualityassuredproducts,
all fully testedandcertified
t
DNVDesignApprovedasstandard
