NASA/Stennis Space Center
B2 Test Stand Refurbishment

Buckner HeavyLift at Stennis Space Center

Buckner Industrial Rigging and Buckner HeavyLift Cranes were awarded by Harry Pepper & Associates, Inc. the removal and reinstallation of the Stiff Leg Crane atop of the B2 Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Bay Saint Louis, MS. The Crane has been a part of Stennis for over 50 years and the time had come for it to be refurbished.

The crane sits on top of the B2 test stand at an elevation of over 300’ with parts of the derrick to be disassembled by riggers and millwrights working at heights of almost 400’. This was a tremendously challenging project due to many aspects. Mother Nature is not the friendliest along the Gulf Coast; wind, rain, thunderstorms, as well as heat and humidity were conspiring to either stop work or at the very least impeded our progress.

The B2 Test Stand was also in operation testing rocket engines during construction. This meant extreme care had to be taken during each phase of construction. When you consider the testing of a rocket engine using a highly explosive mixture of Hydrogen and liquid Oxygen stored in vessels within the test stand, and Buckner crews often using cutting torches, oxygen lances, and other hot work procedures, one can sense the endless effort put forth on safety procedures. These procedures were painstakingly implemented by Buckner, Harry Pepper, and the NASA test stand team.

You then add to the mix a crane that has been in service for over 50 years and through all imaginable weather conditions, the disassembly of mechanical components can be quite challenging. One example was the removal of four 8” diameter X 2’ long pins connecting the mast to the stiff legs. The four pins and their connections were seized making it impossible to remove. Thus, we were tasked with lancing the centers out of each pin, heating and cooling each, and utilizing a 200ton hydraulic jack to push each pin out, all done over 300’ in the air. Making disassembly one of the greatest challenges Buckner has overcome to date.

With a seasoned team of riggers, operators, and millwrights, often enduring some of the most adverse conditions, Buckner completed this project without a single incident. A testament to how an implemented plan of action put in place by Buckner, Harry Pepper and NASA made this project successful.

With months of planning and attention to detail, the disassembly of the derrick and the multitude of components removed from a congested site proved Buckner was the right fit for such a complex project.

The heaviest weights handled:
• Mast: 84,500lbs
• Draw Works: 72,000lbs
• Stiff Legs: 28,000lbs

The Stiff Leg Crane components were shipped to the manufacture to be refurbished. This process took 3 months to complete and Buckner then remobilized to Stennis and reinstalled the crane; a challenging experience when you consider we had to reeve:
• 11000’ of 1.25” main hoist cable
• 5000’ of 1.5” boom hoist cable
• 200’ of 3” boom hoist pendants

Equipment utilized:
• Crawler Cranes – Buckner HeavyLift Cranes – LR1400 – SDWB 256’ main boom & 187’ of W-Luffing Jib with 75 tons of suspended ballast
• Mobile Cranes – Glenn Crane and Rigging – LTM 1265 and LTM 1400

The project was an extraordinary experience for Buckner Industrial Rigging and Buckner Heavylift Cranes. It challenged our most experienced team members but through focused communications, planning and safety meetings, and a proactive “get it done” approach, the projects was completed without a lost time injury and to the clients satisfaction.

A special thanks to all involved:
• Project Executive – Keith Rind/VP Buckner HeavyLift Cranes & Buckner Industrial Rigging
• Project Manager – Chip Jordan/Technical Cranes Sales and Project Management
• Site Superintendent – Josh Glover
• Crane Operators – David Rutherford and Jon Boutwell
• Buckner Crews