Konecranes Supplies Four Automated Cranes to First Poultry Litter Fueled Power Plant in United States

A year-round stream of poultry litter generated by Benson, Minnesota turkey raising operations totaling 700,000 tons each year combined with the tradition of spreading litter on agricultural fields as fertilized had begun to impact water quality in central Minnesota. Also, litter could not be disposed o during the winter months. Minnesota’s solution was a landmark power plant project that converted Benson’s annual output of poultry waste and bedding into 55MW of electricity. Konecranes supplied four fully automated 20-ton CMAA Class “F” cranes positioned on two runways over bays that receive 3,260 tons of poultry waste fide days per week.