Why did Brandenburg Industrial Service Company use the V65 for the takedown of Chicago's Damen Avenue Bridge? Bill Moore,Corporate Relations Director of Brandenburg, got right to the point: “Bigger is better!”

Brandenburg’s foreman and operator checking out their very big breaker.

While they DID have other models to choose from – their arsenal of Tramacs includes three V65s, seven V52-3s, seventeen V32s, and thirty one 400Ss – the Bridge is a massive demolition project calling for their most powerful performer. Consider these numbers: the steel suspension bridge is 231' long; Brandenburg will be removing 5,725 tons of steel and 24,625 cubic yards of concrete!

The four-lane Damen Avenue drawbridge is one of many heavily-trafficked crossings carrying a major thoroughfare over the Chicago River. Demolition of the concrete roadway, elevated structures, and steel bridge began in September 2000 and is nearing completion. Because of traffic congestion caused by a lengthy detour, timing has played a critical role in this project. Until the first half of the bridge was removed, work had to be interrupted periodically to allow river traffic to go through.

The V65–The Heaviest Hitter
The V65 is Tramac's biggest breaker, with the V-Series features that make it the most productive powerhouse on the market today. V-Technology allows the breaker to sense the hardness of the material and automatically adjust the impact power and striking rate for the greatest efficiency. As with all Tramac hammers, it is fully hydraulic with no gas activation or assistance. And the revolutionary Tool Protection System, with newly designed front guide, bushings, and tool and retainer pins reduces friction and wear, prolonging tool life. The V65 has the extra heavy-duty Metro-Silence cradle reducing operating noise.

Breaking down cement supporting structures.

Brandenburg Not New to Big Challenges
I n the first stage of demolition, a 50 ton rubber-tired crane, working from the center of the bridge toward one shore, removed the structure in sections. Once the steel and concrete are on the shore, the V65 comes into play. Concrete is being removed from the site in 3' square sections and loaded onto trucks for recycling. Steel is being taken to Brandenburg’s scrap processing facility in a steel mill in Gary, IN. For the Damen Avenue Bridge demolition, Brandenburg mounted the V65 on a Leibherr 945 excavator.

Brandenberg began their relationship with Tramac on a much larger project in 1989. They were subcontracted for the demolition of a three-and-a-half mile stretch of Chicago’s elevated mainline Dan Ryan Expressway. The $250 million reconstruction project was the largest ever for the Illinois DOT. Brandenburg used 14 Tramac 400Ss mounted on Bobcat 943 skid steer loaders. Mike Morrison, Equipment Manager, decided on the 400S because “they provided the productivity of heavier units but required relatively low oil flow” and the quick-disconnect mounting allowed crews to switch easily between breakers and buckets. As Morrison tells us, “We’ve had real luck with Tramac.”

Brandenburg has locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Their dealer is Roland Machinery Co., Springfield, IL.