Barnhart has a reputation for developing innovative solutions. On occasion those solutions require Barnhart Engineers to develop an original piece of equipment to get a difficult job done. While it has often been said that "necessity is the mother of invention," that old saying was certainly true during Barnhart's work at an Iowa hydroelectric plant.

A common challenge in the rigging industry is the need to up-end or down-end heavy over dimensional equipment. Such was the case at a hydro plant in Iowa during a recent turbine runner replacement. To change the 100-ton runner, it was necessary to down-end the runner to clear the door to travel across the dam. Barnhart designed the Tip Stick to be utilized with the facility's overhead crane specifically for this project.

With the Tip Stick and some cleaver rigging, the runner was changed out safely in record time and for less than previous replacements.