Crane operator rates

job difficulty at 7

on scale of 10

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- "I couldn't see the statue until it was coming down so Willis Junior was sending me directions by radio."

As Steve Schaefer manipulated a half dozen control handles in the crane's cab, co-owner Willis Schaefer Jr., a cousin, directed the crane's movements from a point on the ground where he could see the statue.

The result was a flawless descent that didn't even ruffle the feathers of the two birds that joined the operation.

"Yah, it was so smooth two pigeons rode down with it, and the guys on the ground had to shoo them off," Steve Schaefer laughed.

The Schaefers and three employees from G&S Manufacturing, including owners Mark Guggisberg and Pat Stadick, made up the work force that put the deal together.

G&S Manufacturing built the metal framework that was used to lift the statue from its mooring atop the monument's dome, Steve Schaefer said.

"They welded it to the bottom of the statue and cut the column supporting the statue. They also are welding the lifting apparatus to the eight posts in the temporary base."

There were a number of variables that the crew had to consider in creating the lifting apparatus for Hermann's descent.

"We couldn't find any exact information on how much the statue weighed. We found a reference that said it was 'a good two tons,' but that was about it. We found it weighed 4,400 pounds (on the crane's scales) so we were close," Steve Schaefer said.

"We also didn't know how much engineering would be required, and we didn't know where the center of gravity would be. We also decided on using steel straps (for the harness) because nylon straps can give too much."

Two control ropes were attached to the statue to "stop it from twisting," but Schaefer said there wasn't any during its descent.

On a scale of one to 10 as far as difficulty, Schaefer who has been operating cranes for 21 years said this one rated "about a seven."