MOAI RESTORATION PROJECT

Resumed fieldwork

In May, 2004, at the request of Easter Island, Tadano dispatched an engineer team in an effort to repair the crane.

On investigation, however, it turned out that the repair was almost impracticable as the crane had been damaged and rusty, to a degree far exceeding our imagination, due to seawater and salty breezes in addition to breakdown of the engine, transmission and hydraulic circuits.

Broken down crane

The crane was rusty everywhere due to salt damage.