Now We've Seen an Elephant Fly...
Not an everyday job, the team take on the heavy lift and transport of a 10 Tonne life sized Indian elephant.
A slight deviation from their usual daily routine of manufacturing pumps and valves for mining, mineral processing and power industries, local company Weir Minerals have been busy in the foundry, creating a life sized female Indian elephant. Weighing in at 10 Tonnes and measuring 4m (L) x1.5m (W) x3m (H), the sculpture will eventually be situated in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park gazing towards Govan and Clyde, but for the moment required relocating within the company’s premises to a more suitable position.
Created by Scottish sculptor Kenny Hunter, the Elephant for Glasgow is cast with iron featuring scrap sections of locomotives sent from the city to the farthest corners of the Commonwealth. The sculpture is designed as a symbol of strength, of the city’s rich industrial heritage and a permanent legacy of the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Once in Glasgow, the sculpture will be installed on the site of the Great British Empire Exhibition staged in 1938, but for now it needed to travel the short distance from outside the foundry to sit pride of place in front of the company’s office block.
On a slightly damp Friday morning our Team arrived at Weir Minerals European Headquarters in Todmorden, Lancashire with a 3 axle step frame trailer and a 6x2 68 Tonne/Metre crane mounted vehicle ready to start work. Once the trailer and tractor had been manoeuvred into position our Team got to work securing the unusual cargo.
Somewhat of a celebrity across the company, the elephant began to draw a crowd with employees appearing from across the complex keen to see her take to the air and begin her journey. Carefully securing the load, our Team then hoisted the sculpture from its location. One of the more unusual lifts we’ve undertaken, the elephant slowly rose into the air and floated towards the awaiting trailer. Having been gently lowered into position on the trailer, the lashings were removed and the elephant was secured in place.
Although only a short distance the Team were required to navigate the intricate structures within the foundry grounds, carefully reversing part of the route enabling the combination to continue unhindered. Travelling at walking pace around the outskirts of the complex, the elephant was safely transported to the opposite side of the company’s grounds. Once in position the process began again, securing the load and utilising the capabilities of the crane vehicle to deliver the sculpture to its desired location.
The sculpture may not have been the largest of loads or have travelled the furthest distance but still required specialist lashing, lifting and transport equipment to ensure a seamless relocation from old to new position within the company’s grounds. One elephant, safely delivered!
