www.enerpac.com
The Las Vegas High Roller will include 28 observation cabins each 20 feet in diameter, each weighing 25 tons, each accommodating up to 40 people, and each
outfitted with HVAC systems and in-cabin entertainment systems.
Enerpac Hydraulic Rotating Mechanism Helps Erect
World’s Tallest Observation Wheel in Las Vegas
Enerpac, Menomonee Falls, WI played a vital role in the
is outfitted with HVAC systems, and in-cabin entertainment
erection of the massive 550-foot tall Las Vegas High Roller
systems, with 300 square feet of windows offering 360-de-
observation wheel. The High Roller is the focal point of the
gree views of Las Vegas.
Caesars Entertainment $550 million dollar retail, dining, and
This unique project required a significant amount of con-
entertainment development, referred to as LINQ. Located at
struction engineering and procedure development, mainly
the heart of The Strip, the new venue will offer spectacular
performed by wheel contractor and erector American
views of Las Vegas and the surrounding valley. At 550 feet
tall, the High Roller will eclipse both The London Eye, and the
Singapore Flyer.
Bridge Co. (AB) and its consulting engineer Zieman
Engineering. Erecting the rim of this massive wheel
proved to be a significant challenge. The rim consisted of
The scope and scale of this project was enormous, and an
28 different sections each weighing a massive 45 tons.
engineering feat on many levels. The wheel includes 28 ob-
The challenge was to lift, assemble and then rotate the
servation cabins each 20 feet in diameter, each weighing 25
huge rim sections so the next section could be assembled,
tons, and each accommodating up to 40 people. Each cabin
thus allowing the wheel to take shape.
N86 W12500 Westbrook Crossing • Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53209 USA
Mailing address: PO Box 3241 • Milwaukee, WI 53201-3241 USA
Phone: 262-293-1500
process. The normal erection sequence included rotating the
rim using the HRM, erecting temporary radial struts, erecting
the permanent cable spokes of the wheel, and then rolling in
the next rim section.
After the final rim section was carefully put in place, the
temporary radial struts were removed and the remaining
permanent cable spokes were installed. Finally, the HRM system was removed and the hold back tower was dismantled.
The completed 469-foot diameter wheel is connected to the
As a supplier to AB, Enerpac developed and supplied the
Hydraulic Rotating Mechanism (HRM) to AB performance
hub by 112 cable spokes made from 75mm diameter locked
coil cables.
requirements necessary to assemble and erect the rim
The Enerpac HRM system proved to be instrumental in the
sections. The HRM was supplied as a temporary system
erection of the wheel. The sub contractor, American Bridge,
mounted on a 71-foot temporary holdback tower designed
acknowledged that they could not have built this wheel
separately by AB and Zieman to commission the system.
without the HRM system provided by Enerpac.
The HRM was installed and operated by American Bridge
and used to grip, hold and turn the rim while it was being
constructed, and safely hold it in place during construction
(shown above).
In addition to the HRM, Enerpac worked with Schwager Davis
Inc. to supply the Mechanization System (shown below),
which is the permanent drive system used to operate the
wheel. The drive system was also used for several weeks
in the construction of the wheel to turn the wheel in order to
install the large 25-ton passenger cabins.
Sometimes referred to as “gripper boxes”, the HRM (shown
above) has a 750-ton gripping, holding and moving capacity.
The completion of this project was done with stunning
The HRM consisted of six gripper boxes (three per side of the
achieved with careful planning and smooth execution
rim) which were operated by two hydraulic power units and a
involving numerous suppliers, subcontractors, vendors and
single computer control station.
consultants who supported each other in innovative ways that
The 45-ton rim sections were rolled onto a platform on dollies and positioned at the bottom of the platform in accurate
dead center position. The HRM was attached to the first three
efficiency. This amazing structure and assembly was all
contributed immeasurably to the success of the project. The
High Roller is right on schedule to open in the Spring of 2014.
# # #
rims, then the wheel was rotated and the wheel structure
began to take shape.
Peter Crisci is the Business Leader - Americas for Integrated Solutions at Enerpac,
a manufacturer of hydraulic equipment and systems (www.enerpac.com).
The ironworkers running the HRM needed steady hands
For information about this media release, please contact Roberta Moring,
Marketing Communications Leader - Americas at [email protected]
and cool heads to manage the massive loads and delicate
<< Captions if photos are used separately>>
PHOTO 2: Enerpac Hydraulic Rotating Mechanism (HRM), attached to a 45ton rim section, was used to grip, hold and turn the rim during construction.
PHOTO 3: The Enerpac HRM “gripper boxes” move a massive rim section.
The HRM has a 750-ton gripping, holding and moving capacity.
PHOTO 4: Enerpac also worked with Schwager Davis Inc. to develop and
supply the Mechanization System, which is the permanent drive system used
to operate the wheel.