The next time you reach for a roll of toilet paper, chances are you won't think about the massive equipment behind making it.
At the heart of the process is a Yankee dryer—a giant steam-heated cylinder that transforms wet paper into the soft, textured tissue we use every day. Often referred to as the heart of the paper machine, the Yankee dryer is the final stage in the papermaking process, removing the remaining moisture before the paper is converted into products like paper towels and toilet paper. As one of the largest and most critical components in tissue manufacturing, these massive cylinders play a vital role in production.
When Procter & Gamble received a new 300,000-pound Valmet Yankee Dryer from Sweden, safely unloading it after its overseas journey required far more than a delivery truck. Moving a component of this size demanded specialized equipment, detailed planning, and an experienced heavy lift team.
Spirit Construction contracted Mountain to perform the offload of the massive component, a critical operation requiring specialized equipment, careful planning, and an experienced heavy lift team. The successful lift marked an important milestone in the overall project, with Mountain continuing to support future phases, including a specialized jack-and-slide installation of the spare Yankee dryer.
The Liebherr LTM 1650 was the ideal crane for the job. Its exceptional lifting capacity, long reach, and versatility made it well-suited to handle a component of this size and value. Paired with a highly skilled crew and a comprehensive lift plan, the LTM 1650 delivered the stability and control needed to complete the offload with confidence.
Chris Mahurn, Project Manager with Spirit Construction, praised the partnership with Mountain throughout the project.
"We've been utilizing Mountain for the entirety of this project thus far, and we will continue to for about the next two years," Mheron said. "Your operators are top-notch. Your riggers are good. It's professionalism at its best."
Projects involving equipment of this size leave little room for error. They require the right crane, the right crew, and a commitment to planning every detail before the first pick is ever made.
The successful offload of this 300,000-pound Valmet Yankee Dryer is another example of what Mountain does best—providing heavy lifting solutions that keep critical projects moving forward while earning the trust of customers through safe execution, clear communication, and dependable partnerships.
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