Two of Hird Group’s most impressive lifting machines have combined to support glass installation specialists working on one of London’s most impressive buildings.
A Maeda MC815 spider crane and a Kappel 3500 glass vacuum lifter – known as Brutus – were used to lift into place six-metre long glass panels, each weighing 2.6 tonnes.
The super heavy lift project took place at Grade II-listed 385-ft-high Centre Point in the heart of London’s West End, one of the most famous high-rise towers in the capital.
Glazing installers were building the glass entrance to Centre Point which is undergoing a dramatic transformation – turning it from an office block into stunning luxury homes and innovative retail space.
Hird was the first crane hire company in the world to place an order for the Maeda MC815 spider crane, Maeda’s largest mini crane to date, which has a maximum lifting capacity of 8 tonnes.
The Kappel 3500 is one of the UK’s largest super-heavy vacuum lifters, with a maximum lifting capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
The structural glass panels, each measuring approximately six metres by four metres, were being installed as part of the programme to renovate and change the use of Centre Point.
Hird Director John Wilding said: “Using the Kappel 3500 vacuum lifter and a spider crane like the Maeda MC815 was the only way such large and heavy pieces of glass could be lifted into place.
“The weight of large panels in landmark buildings like Centre Point has risen rapidly in recent years, not least because thicker glass is being specified to counter terrorist threats.
“On top of that, architects are now designing more buildings where the glass itself provides structural strength, again increasing weight. We have prepared for this by making available for hire the most comprehensive range of heavy vacuum lifters in the UK.”
The Kappel 3500 vacuum lifter is exclusive to Hird. It has powered 90-degree hydraulic tilt, and 210-degree lockable rotation. Safety features include independent dual vacuum circuits, and low vacuum alert.
Irregular loads can be accommodated by switching off suction to individual pads. Sliding extension arms aid the lifting of large glass panels.
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