One had to crane one's neck to view the top of the crane at work at the Agrex grain facility located on the east side of Superior Friday. A crane from Patriot Crane and Rigging was on site to return a bulkhead, or headend pulley, to the top of the silo infrastructure. The lift point was 190 feet above the ground. The crane would extend to 240 feet to make the lift.

A millwright from C-Tech, York, awaits the placement of a 6,000 pound headend pulley atop the Agrex Elevator in Superior, Friday. The pulley was refurbished on site by Agrex and returned to service.

The pulley weighs 6,000 pounds. It was removed last Tuesday for preventative maintenance. It is equipment installed when the original elevator was constructed more than 38 years ago. After the pulley was removed, Agrex workers replaced the bearings and lagging on site. Eric Krotzinger said the company believes preventative maintenance is the key to reliable operations. The operation was scheduled between train loadings. The incoming dump pit was closed for only two days while the crane was positioned in front of the exit.

The specialized crane is capable of highway speeds of 55 m.p.h. It is stabilized with stanchions placed on ground supports. It extends its boom in sections with an extended length of 240' possible. The entire crane then lifts off the ground. It levels itself. The operators cab is adjustable to allow the crane operator to view the top portion of the crane boom.

Once the pulley was inserted in its frame, a crew of millwrights from C-Tech located in York reinstalled the eight bolts which secure the pulley to its frame. The belt was respliced, final checks made and the elevator was back in operation. Normal business operations resumed Monday.