A counterbalance lifting beam and two types of vacuum lifter supplied by Hird have played a key role in the installation of glass at Northumberland County Council’s head office.
The equipment was used to install new windows under a 1.5m overhang as part of ongoing work to refurbish the building in Morpeth and improve amenities for visitors.
Five metre high floor to ceiling glass panels were being installed in the building’s reception area to create a new café, meeting and exhibition space in the county council HQ.
Lifting under overhang
A key challenge was installing the glass panels, which weighed up to 500kg, under the 1.5m overhang.
The solution was to use Hird’s Oktopus GGA-E-B 2500 counterbalance lifting beam and two Woods Powr-Grip vacuum lifters, the MRTA8 and P11104.
The glass lifting equipment was combined with a 40t Liebherr mobile crane.
The Oktopus GGA-E-B 2500 counterbalance lifting beam, manufactured by Wirth, can lift under overhangs up to 3m deep and has a maximum lifting capacity of 2500kg (for a 1.5m overhang).
Ideal for lifting all materials
The glass installation location, at the bottom of a grass bank, made the use of the counterbalance lifting beam all the more necessary.
It is ideal for lifting any materials, not just glass, into hard to reach locations, under roof overhangs, balconies and staging.
The Oktopus GGA-E-B 2500 counterbalance lifting beam can be operated using a cable remote control, with the option available for radio remote control as well.
Five panels of glass were installed, in total, weighing between 200kg and 500kg.
Enhanced safety and productivity
The MRTA8 glass vacuum lifter has a maximum lifting capacity of 635kg and can be fitted with the Intelli-Grip vacuum control system that enhances safety and battery life for productive lifting.
It can be set up in multiple configurations for different load sizes and shapes.
The four-pad P11104 glass vacuum lifter has a maximum lifting capacity of 320kg and provides 180-degree powered rotation and 90-degree manual tilting. It is ideal for lifting elongated glass panels.
Automated counterweights
Another counterbalance lifting beam hire option from Hird is the Oktopus GGA-EF 1000, which provides automated counterweight adjustment.
The Oktopus GGA-EF 1000 has a maximum load capacity of 1,000kg. It can be fitted with a hook and slings or an Oktopus glass manipulator.
For more information about Hird counterbalance lifting beams and glass vacuum lifters, including contract lifting options, call today.
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01482 227333
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01302 341659
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01384 900388
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0203 174 0658
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