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Raimondi luffing jib crane used for close-quarters condo work in Toronto’s downtown

TORONTO – Avenue Building Corporation’s work on the 55 Charles Condo in downtown Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood is nearing completion, with help from a luffing jib crane from Raimondi.

A Raimondi LR273 model was used to accommodate the several high-rise developments already located in close proximity to the project, which add difficulties for traditional swing crane work.

The crane had an initial height of 36 metres and reached its final height of 167 metres this week, with tower sections installed from a below-ground parking site. As the project reaches its final stages, dismantling of the crane is expected to take place in December 2023.

Jim Patullo, President of Avenue Building Corporation, said that the close-quarters nature of the project required lifting solutions that were versatile while still remaining heavy-duty.

“The features of this versatile machine, including the out-of-service radius and the ease of its internal climbing, allow us to install the luffer on several ‘zero lot line’ projects,” Patullo said. “Another asset of this luffer is the ability to promptly switch from two falls to four falls and reverse, allowing to lift large generators, air handling units, BMUs, and more without any downtime.”

The LR273’s 86kW hoisting gear allows for a maximum lift speed of 204 metres per minute, and has a drum capacity of 980 metres.

Avenue Building Corporation’s fleet contains seven Raimondi cranes, with the company expected to use two LR273 models on-site at another upcoming development.