Application: Traction Drive Hoist for Bridge Paint Removal
Customer: Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Hoist Model: Columbia Custom Traction Drive Hoist
Performance:
- Line Pull: 750 pounds
- Line Speed: 16 feet per minute
- Power Source: 115 VAC / Single Phase / 60 Hz
Special Features:
- Continuous loop wire rope system
- Compact design: 70 lbs., 22″ X 23″ X 14″ high
- ¾ HP AC motor
- Handheld pendant control
Why APPI:
Maintaining the iconic Tacoma Narrows Bridge presents unique challenges, particularly when removing paint from suspension wires hundreds of feet above the water. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) faced a critical operational issue: their existing twin winch system required cutting and re-rigging wire ropes each time they moved to a new suspension wire, creating safety concerns and significant downtime.
When WSDOT site supervisors reached out to Allied Power Products, Inc. (APPI) for assistance, both parties recognized the need for a fundamentally different approach to this specialized application.
Through detailed discussions about the specific challenges of working on suspension wires, WSDOT and APPI collaboratively identified –
The key requirements for an improved system:
- Eliminate the need to cut wire ropes when repositioning between suspension wires
- Reduce setup time and physical labor for workers
- Enhance safety during repositioning operations
- Maintain adequate lifting capacity for the paint stripping equipment
Together, they determined that a custom traction drive hoist system offered the ideal solution for WSDOT’s unique bridge maintenance needs.
Key features of this collaboratively developed traction drive hoist include:
- A continuous loop wire rope design, eliminating the need to cut and re-rig between suspension wires—addressing WSDOT’s primary concern.
- Compact, portable construction at just 70 pounds, making it easy for workers to move and position on the bridge structure.
- Adequate lifting capacity of 750 pounds at 16 feet per minute, suitable for raising and lowering paint removal equipment.
- Handheld pendant control for safe, convenient operation by bridge maintenance crews.
This custom-designed traction drive hoist system offers several benefits:
- Significantly reduced setup time when moving between suspension wires
- Enhanced worker safety by eliminating hazardous cutting and rigging operations
- Increased productivity for bridge maintenance operations
- Reliable performance in demanding outdoor conditions
By implementing APPI’s custom traction drive hoist, WSDOT has significantly improved its bridge maintenance capabilities on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The system’s innovative design and practical features, developed specifically to address the challenges identified by WSDOT’s maintenance team, ensure safer and more efficient paint removal operations.
For more information about this traction drive hoist system or any of APPI’s other specialized products and services, please contact Allied Power Products, Inc. With over 40 years of experience providing winches, hoists, capstans, and cranes tailored to specific application requirements, APPI remains a trusted partner in infrastructure maintenance and specialized industrial applications.