The Whirley Crane, owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is a lattice boom crane that has been in service since the early 1950s. It is used by the Revetment Branch to transfer articulated concrete mattresses (ACM) from the casting fields to waiting barges on the Mississippi River. The crane currently is operated by two (2) diesel motors powering DC generators, an AC generator, and the hydraulic systems for the crane and its barge. The DC generators power the boom hoist and the swing gear. The AC generator supplies power for the house and the attached claw used to move the ACM. The crane also has hydraulic and pneumatic systems onboard that control the main hoist and air brakes.
The Government is looking for capable Contractors to produce a turnkey product with all updated AC electrical drives and motors, updated cab control system meeting the requirements of the updated main hoist, and removing any superfluous systems (hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.). The proposed system should integrate seamlessly with the components that will remain. The Contractor will be responsible for providing the design and specifications of the system they are offering.
