PCL Construction Partners With Vita Industrial for Smarter Crane Operations

PCL team was lifting and setting large formwork in a subterranean structure. They were challenged on site due to the formwork panels' surface area catching in the wind and rotating – potentially causing safety hazards as well as creating wind-out delays for the team. These panels had to be set inside the underground structure with only 2 inches of room on either side of the panel, forcing the crew to have multiple workers down in the hole to catch the panel and thread it between rebar struts as it is lowering. Precision, safety, and speed were all at risk with the project.

PCL partnered with Vita Industrial to implement the Vita Load Navigator (VLN), a semi-autonomous lifting tool that enhances crane operations in tight spaces and challenging weather. The VLN integrates jet thrusters into a spreader beam, enabling crews to remotely rotate loads, hold heading with GPS (even in winds up to 30 mph), and record multiple geo-locations for repetitive/duty cycle lifts.    This technology significantly improved safety, precision, and speed. The team reduced the number of workers inside the structure from three to one, freeing up personnel for other site tasks and improving overall productivity. With the VLN’s Position Hold feature (GPS Lock), crews could accurately set loads within just four inches of clearance, even in adverse conditions, eliminating delays and rework caused by shifting loads.    Additionally, the Memory Function allowed the crew to pre-program lift and set points. This streamlined repetitive lifts, reducing each one from 20 minutes to just five. As a result, the crane work was completed ahead of schedule, lowering project costs and accelerating overall completion.