Raising Crane - in San Saba!

  • Company upgrades equipment for better services. “It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll. Workers are seen making modifications to communications tower,” said Chino Z. Photos Courtesy of Chino Z.
    Company upgrades equipment for better services. “It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll. Workers are seen making modifications to communications tower,” said Chino Z. Photos Courtesy of Chino Z.
  • Company upgrades equipment for better services. “It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll. Workers are seen making modifications to communications tower,” said Chino Z. Photos Courtesy of Chino Z.
    Company upgrades equipment for better services. “It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll. Workers are seen making modifications to communications tower,” said Chino Z. Photos Courtesy of Chino Z.

    In today’s world, it’s all about phone service and no one knows that better than telecommunication companies. On September 5 Verizon Wireless updated local cell towers which caused quite a stir for San Saba residents. After all, it’s not every day you see a large crane in your backyard.

    Entertech Resources, contracted to complete an upgrade to one of its towers in San Saba, solicited the assistance of an experienced crane company from the San Antonio area, Alamo Crane Service. One of the oldest crane companies in the San Antonio region, Alamo Crane has 45 years of experience and is well-versed in the operations of communication tower erections and updates, making it a great partnership.

    To reach the top of the tower, which extends 285 feet above the ground, the Entertech crew brought in Alamo Crane’s LTM 1230-5.1, 275-ton Liebherr crane. The crane arrived in San Saba on Wednesday and began setting up the crane, which had a two-jib luffing system. Early Thursday morning, the dynamic dual went to work.

    Upgrading required that each existing antenna mount had to be carefully detached from its 240-ft elevation, lowered to the ground, and replaced with new antenna mounts weighing 1,500 pounds each. Swinging both jibs, Crane Operator Richard M. performed the lifts within a 120-ft. radius, an easy task for the crane’s luffing capabilities.

    Just as quickly as the crane arrived in San Saba, it was gone, leaving behind the thrill of seeing a huge crane gracing the aerial view on North 1st Street between San Saba’s First Baptist Church and the CTTC tower station.