Japan will likely scrap its SANY concrete pump after containing the Fukushima nuclear reactor

●SANY’s concrete pump is equipped with both a camera and a radiation sensor to monitor radiation levels at the power station. Currently the pump is running flawlessly.

●Before disassembly and containment of the machine itself, the SANY pump may dispense the sand and concrete used to bury the reactor.

For the past year, Sany’s red and yellow concrete pump truck has continuously scanned the Fukushima nuclear reactor for radiation contamination. As the sun rose on March 11, 2012, the truck’s on-board cameras and radiation sensors performed their duty diligently.

“I believe our trusty friend the ‘Big Giraffe’ will continue to complete her mission,” remarked Mr. Wada, an employee of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, as he gazed from afar.

Exactly one year ago, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake shook the ocean floor near Japan. The ensuing disruption of the ground and the tsunami that followed caused nuclear radiation to leak from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station.  

As employees of Tokyo Electric Power Company, 45-year-old Mr. Sakai and 36-year-old Mr. Wada felt they had a duty to participate in the rescue efforts. Even as the crisis worsened, many were saved from the disaster.

Fortunately, SANY Heavy Industry devoted a 62-meter concrete pump truck for use at the site, where the truck has been used to spray water on the reactor. Since arriving, SANY’s pump truck has earned the nickname “Big Giraffe.” She arrived just in time to avoid the meltdown of the No. 1 reactor.

“Many Japanese people express their thanks to SANY, and when we visit customers, they often bow in thanks”, said Yang Binglong, deputy general manager of SANY Japan.  

At the end of March, 2011, Mr. Sakai and Mr. Wada saw the Big Giraffe for the first time. After only two days of training, the two began operating the pump and spraying water on the reactors as the cooling systems were gradually brought back online.   

Since then, the pump has stood ready in case the cooling systems failed again, and the Big Giraffe uses its on-board radiation sensor and camera to monitor the area 24 hours per day.

Mr. Sakai and Mr. Wada often come to visit the Big Giraffe, but they must gaze from outside the safety zone because their two months at the site exposed them to unsafe levels of radiation.