Crown jewel of mini cranes on lifting duty at Tower of London
A Hird Maeda mini crane has been called in to carry out a lift in one of the most famous historical buildings in the world – the Tower of London.
The Maeda MC305 spider crane made an unusual sight as it was tracked past the iconic 1,000-year-old keep built by William the Conqueror.
Hird was commissioned to supply the mini crane and an operator to assist with the installation of a new boiler system in one of the castle’s buildings.
Best heritage site mini crane
The days of unfortunate traitors being left to shiver in a cold cell while they contemplate their fate are long gone – now the castle has all mod cons, including heating.
But getting equipment into place to provide modern comforts is not so easy because the World Heritage site was designed in a different era and must be preserved.
The answer was to use the Maeda MC305 mini crane to lift two 650kg boiler vessels into place over a wall and down into the room where it was to be installed.
A Hird appointed person recommended the lifting method after visiting the Tower to view the location and the challenges it created.
Narrow crane for tracking
Hird London Depot Manager James Carr said: “We have been called upon to supply mini cranes for lifts at other heritage sites, or carry out contract lifts at them, but this is up there in terms of the prestige of the site.
“The Tower of London is a fabulous and fascinating historical site, so important to British culture, and recognised the world over, so being able to work on it was a privilege.”
Maeda mini cranes are ideal for carrying out lifts at sensitive sites, he added.
“In tracking mode, Maeda mini cranes are very narrow so can be guided through very narrow access points. Their low load bearing tracks help them move across sensitive ground and flooring. Helped by their variable outriggers they can also be set up and operated in surprisingly small spaces.”
The Maeda MC305 spider crane has a maximum safe working load of 2.98t, a maximum tip height of 12.52m and a maximum radius of 12.16m.
At just 1280mm wide in tracking mode, the mini crane can be operated in very constrained spaces. Hird can supply it with either diesel or electric power modes, for outdoor and indoor lifting.
Royal fortress
The Tower of London is an official royal palace and fortress. It was founded in 1066, soon after William the Conqueror defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Its iconic White Tower was built in 1078.
The site achieved its greatest notoriety in the 16th and 17th Centuries when the expression ‘being sent to the tower’ was most apt. Elizabeth I was imprisoned there before she became queen. She then incarcerated her own share of people in the tower, including Sir Walter Raleigh.
Spider cranes – extensive range
The Maeda MC305 mini crane is available for hire across the UK and is one of a full range of machines in the Hird Maeda mini spider crane hire fleet, with SWLs from 1.72t (Maeda MC174) to 8t (Maeda MC815).
Hird also has an extensive hire fleet of compact Valla pick and carry industrial cranes with SWLs ranging from 2t to 25t, also both with diesel and electric power options.
Hird provides CPCS A66 compact crane training, operates advanced mobile cranes and can support clients across the UK and internationally with a full contract lifting and machinery moving service
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