Raising a Cross

[Magicman]

This morning at 8:30 the actual raising was done but prep work has been going on for a few months.  I believe that this is the 13th such Cross to be erected in Mississippi and @150 feet, it is the tallest.  The framework structure is done which is then clad with white metal roofing type material.  This morning's activity entailed hoisting the top portion onto the already erected lower framework and bolting it together. 


A special harness was attached to the Cross' framework.

And then it was slowly raised to an upright position.

The crane operator is doing his job.

Slowly but surely making the lift.

The actual lifting has been done.

So now two "man lifts" go into action with workers guiding the top portion onto and into the lower portion.

After which the two sections were bolted together.  Now the crews can place the cladding over the two portions of the "arms" and the remainder of the base.  Their completion target was this week.

[Chuck White]

That's an impressive feet to accomplish, it'll be seen from long distance as well as up close.

Thanks for posting, Lynn!

[doc henderson]

will be much nicer than a wind turbine off in the distance.  very nice.

[Resonator]

There's a similar cross in Effingham Illinois, right next to the crossroads of I57 and I70. I remember seeing it back in my truck driving days. That one is just under 200 feet tall, any taller and they would have to put aircraft warning lights on it.

[Ron Scott]

Well done!

[Magicman]

I am anxious to see it tomorrow and see if they are progressing on putting the remaining cladding on.  It will have flood lights and benches in the little park at the base of the Cross.

[beenthere]

MM
Is there some kind of competition or meaning to have or to erect a bigger cross ?? Just wondering.. Anyone know?

[Magicman]

No competition that I am aware of nor reason thereof.  I would say that the height is determined by the location but of course the budget would have to enter into the equation at some point.  This one was sized for visibility along the highway and also from Interstate 55.  It is in a very good location.

[Magicman]

Marty and his crew were voluntarily placing electrical conduit this morning so I made a visit:
This is for the flood/spot lights that will be at the base of the Cross.


There is still lotsa work to be done but it is progressing nicely.

[moodnacreek]

Couldn't have that in N.Y., might offend somebody. [but I like it]

[SwampDonkey]

That's quite a project to undertake.

Most rural communities up this way have abandoned churches standing empty. Many were never maintained, no money for it. If you look way back in books documenting collections each week, there wasn't much money. Once in awhile someone would pass their savings onto a church when they died if they had no family. Then they could do a few things. None had money to erect monuments.

[Magicman]

100% of this project has and is being donated.  I was told yesterday that this was the 14th such Cross in Mississippi that the crane operator has erected.   It also was the heaviest and beyond the crane's listed capability.  The operator had to override the automated limit function and raise it by the seat of his pants.

[doc henderson]

poss. divine intervention.

[beenthere]

Makes a good recovery video if it doesn't work. But Doc likely pegged it. 

[Resonator]

The operator had to override the automated limit function and raise it by the seat of his pants.

That is literally what a good operator does.
They can sense any movement in the stability of the machine (if it feels lighter in the tail end), and any feedback the controls give him when he goes to lift. The crane has the most lifting strength when the load is right next to the machine and the boom is most vertical (often there will be an angle gauge with a plumb bob built it). If it has to reach out horizontally away from the crane too far, it can get into trouble. Also the load has to be directly in line with the boom, not off to the side. If not it could put a heavy sideways load on the boom, and that can be an unforgiveable sin.