Promotion to the Premier League heralds the arrival of a huge amount of TV rights cash – and the Hird lifting team to install the glass in a new Sky television commentary box.
Installing the window was a complex job needing two types of crane along with two types of glass vacuum lifter. The club will hope staying in the world’s most lucrative football league is more straightforward.
Contract lifting specialist Hird first arranged for a scaffold landing platform to be built above seating in the stand immediately below the mini TV studio.
Contract lift – right equipment
A mobile crane was then brought in to lift two Wienold SLK25 counterbalance floor cranes and two Woods Powr-Grip MRT4 vacuum lifters onto the landing platform.
The mobile crane was then fitted with a Kappel DSZ2 glass vacuum lifter, which was used to lift the Sky TV box window, measuring 4.5m by 1.5m and weighting 342kg, up onto the landing platform.
With the DSZ2 vacuum lifter holding what would become the inside of the window, the SLK counterbalance floor cranes, each one fitted with an MRT4 vacuum lifter, were positioned on the other side of the glass.
Glass installation service
These smaller cranes could then take the weight of the glass, allowing the DSZ2 vacuum lifter to be lifted away. Glass installation operatives then pushed the SLK cranes up to the aperture for the glass to be fitted.
Hird devised the risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) for the lift and a lift supervisor. Hird Central General Manager Mick Bradshaw, who was the appointed person, said: “The contract lift went very well.
“There were challenges to overcome, but we had all the equipment and expertise needed to ensure the lift went smoothly, and the tandem lift using the SLK25 counterbalance floor crane was safe and effective.”
Two-stage lift solution
The two-stage lift was needed because the studio and commentary box was located beneath an overhanging area in the stadium.
The Kappel DSZ2 vacuum lifter has a maximum lifting capacity of 900kg and is one of the UK’s slimmest vacuum lifters. The MRT4 glass vacuum lifter can lift up to 320kg, while the SLK25 counterbalance floor crane has a maximum safe working load of 300kg.
For more information about Hird’s contract lifting service, or to hire glass vacuum lifters or a wide range of mine cranes, counterbalance floor cranes or material lifts, call Hird today.
Northern 01482 227333
Central 01302 341659
Southern 0203 174 0658
Email: info@hird.co.uk
