ALL Crane Rental of Pennsylvania, LLC supplied a Grove TMS9000 hydraulic lift to set artist Florentijn Hofman's world traveling giant rubber duck afloat on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Penn. The duck is custom built under Hofman’s supervision for each of its city visits, and has traveled to New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Holland, Hong Kong, and France on its goodwill tour.
Because the duck is customized for each location it visits, the lift equipment required can vary. In Pittsburgh, the duck was inflated to a height of 40 ft., demanding the services of the TMS9000, a 110 ton hydraulic crane. Set on 14,000-lb. pontoons with a generator to keep it inflated, the duck will remain in Pittsburgh for a month.
“It’s definitely one of the more unusual lifts we’ve accomplished,” says Michael L. Liptak, president of the All Family of Companies. “We always say we’re prepared for any type of job, and we are. I’m so glad we had the chance to participate in an event that is bringing joy to so many people. We’ve done a lot of lifts over the years, but this was one of the most fun, by far.”
While other cities around the country vie for the duck’s attention, Pittsburgh is enjoying a little extra attention. Thousands attended its inaugural launch on Fri., Sept. 27, 2013. Meant to promote peace, Hofman says, “The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn't discriminate between people and doesn't have a political connotation…The rubber duck is soft, friendly, and suitable for all ages!”
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
