We
do quite a few cylinder replacements and each one of them is a bit
different. I always tell building owners
that 80% of cylinder projects go well, 10% have some additional
challenges[additional costs], and 10% go sideways and require a well driller. This is the challenge before you even get a chance to see if you get a bad hole.
We
are doing a project at a logistics center and while I was there I heard our
compressor from the street[located at the 1st level, 2nd
landing in the open air garage]. I have
to say I do get excited when I hear the compressor ripping and mud spraying
everywhere. When I got down to the elevator pit[B level, 1st
landing] I saw the jet pipe stuck down 32’ +/- down the hole trying to break
the suction/concrete. The pit channel/head/buffer combination did not help any. It reminded me
that each hole is a bit different and presents its own challenging.
This typically is the first big challenge of
the project. I will highlight two methods
that we use when we have a cylinder that won’t move just from tugging on it.
1st
method is using an air compressor to move the earth below and break the
cylinder free from suction. Be aware that
your line will get very hot and you need to place the compressor in the correct
place[not inside]
2nd
method is using jacks. This method is a
bit more intensive and could be required when some kind soul dumped a bag of
concrete down the cylinder hole after installation. Perhaps the concrete was put down there to
stop water from coming in the hole.
Cylinder
replacement is a difficult job that takes a lot of heavy lifting and good
technique. Adding the requirement of trying to get a stuck cylinder out of the
ground adds to the challenge of being an elevator person. At times we are doing 4 or 5 cylinder
replacements a month so we get a chance to see all sorts of oddities, each one
is different.
As
always feel free to contact us at www.colleyelevator.com,
email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.
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