Hoisting system for Le Mans
January 1st 2008

Bouyer Manutention, a member of the Verlinde Europont network, installed the handling systems in the maintenance centre for the Le Mans tramway (France).

M. Boulaire, works foreman at building contractor Heulin, comments "With regard to the hoisting equipment, Bouyer Manutention was the sole manufacturer who proposed us a solution which corresponded completely to the specifications, in particular for the special automatic safety systems." The maintenance centre has three single girder overhead travelling cranes with electric chain hoists with a capacity of 1000kg and a profiled double-girder crane with cable hoist with a capacity of 6500kg. The first units were intended to handle the elements on the trams' roof: air conditioning units and pantographs.

Ultrasound sensors were added by Bouyer to detect opened-up pantographs and ensure hoisting is carried out only when it is in the folded down position. The 6500kg crane is used for handling bogies between pit and workshop.

Another safety system ensures that when pantographs are handled, the LAC (Catenary Power Supply Line) is not carrying current.

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