Restricted space no problem for spider crane at student flats

A Maeda spider crane provided by Hird has been used to install glazing in one of the last blocks in a major student accommodation development in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Maeda MC405 mini spider crane was combined with a Woods Powr-Grip MRT4 vacuum lifter to carry out the glass installation project.

In three days, the mini crane and vacuum lifter were used to install up to 60 glass panels – the heaviest weighing 215kg.

Hird Managing Director Phil Hird said: “Given the space restrictions with this project, only a tracked spider crane could be used to carry out glass installation in some locations.

“We were having to lift glass panels up and through steelwork, something a mobile crane could not do. Not only did a spider crane overcome this technical challenge, it also achieved excellent lift productivity.”

Maximum tip height

The Maeda MC405 spider crane, controlled by a Hird crane operator, was working close to its maximum tip height of 16.8 metres during the lifts to install glass panels up to the third storey level.

At that tip height, the safe working load (SWL) is 1.13 tonnes, more than enough for this project. The crane’s maximum SWL is 3.83 tonnes.

If necessary, the mini crane can be fitted with a 0.5 tonne searcher hook and fly jib, which were not needed for this lift project.

The Maeda MC405 crane, combined with the MRT4 vacuum lifter, was used to lift glass panels for installation on the front, rear and side elevations of the building, requiring three set ups during the project.

Intelligent glass lifting

The MRT4 glass vacuum lifter has a capacity of 320kg, can be fitted with variable-length extension arms for accommodating loads of different sizes and shapes, and can be used to lift a range of non-porous sheet materials.

It is also fitted with Woods Powr-Grip’s new Intelli-Grip system which enhances safety and productivity by continuously monitoring the load and controlling vacuum power more efficiently.

The glass installation project, at Newcastle University, demonstrated the safety and flexibility of Maeda spider cranes.

Hird’s mini crane rental fleet offers a range of Maeda cranes, from the MC174, which has a maximum SWL of 1.72 tonnes, to the MC815 spider crane, with its maximum SWL of 8 tonnes.

newcastle university student accomodation

Spider crane training

Hird also has one of the largest selections of modern glass vacuum lifters in the UK – including the popular P11104 (max SWL 320kg), the MRTA8 (max SWL 635kg), the DSZ3 Slimline (max SWL 1,500kg), and the giant Hydraulica 3500, known as Brutus (max SWL 3,500kg).

Accredited courses for mini crane operator training and vacuum lifter operator training are also available across the UK via Hird’s training centres.

For more information, call Hird today.