Night-time bridge building reveals enlightened lifting operation

Construction workers have used a tracked pick and carry crane supplied by Hird to install the balustrade railing along a major new road bridge.

The Valla 20E TRX mini crane played a crucial role in completing the installation process along the bridge taking the A14 over the River Ouse.

Our picture of the installation process captures the moment in winter darkness as the mini crane lowered a railing section into place.


Safe and productive lifting

The structure is the longest bridge on the upgraded A14. It is half a mile long and also spans the West coast mainline railway.

A14 longest bridge-valla-20e-trx-pick-and-carry-crane
The A14 over the River Ouse – Photo by Highways England

Construction teams were working to a tight timescale to finish building the bridge so needed both a safe and productive lifting system.

The Valla 20E TRX mini crane was selected because it could lift and carry the balustrade railing selection to the required installation point.

Manual handling was kept to a minimum, reducing complexity of the lifting process. This allowed the work to be carried out with a small lifting team and reduced the risk of injury.


Confined space crane lifting

Hird Director John Wilding said: “Often, machines like telehandlers are used to carry out lifting duties on construction sites.

“However, they are bulkier and less manoeuvrable than a pick and carry crane. This makes them less productive and less safe.

“Using the Valla pick and carry mini crane for this project is an excellent example of selecting precisely the right lifting system for the task.”

Tellingly, the installation took place in winter and continued into periods of the day when it was dark.

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Enlightened lifting: Valla Pick and Carry Crane Operating at Night – the lack of light illustrates the need for the most effective safe system of work to counter threats such as manual handling injury, vehicle collision and slips, trips and falls.
A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery
Enlightened art: A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery – an 18th Century painting by artist Joseph Wright, on display at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, considered to be one of the finest artworks of the Age of Enlightenment, as it illustrates an attempt to explain the world though science.


Space for installation team

Under these conditions, the Valla pick and carry crane’s safety benefits were even more enhanced as it could be operated within the smallest defined space with the simplest lifting and carrying process.

The Valla 20E TRX’s rubber tracks allow it to be moved easily across rough terrain commonly found on construction sites.

It is also just 950mm wide so was well suited to being used to lift and carry the bridge railing furniture and providing enough space for members of the installation team to work safely around it.

The Valla 20E TRX has a maximum safe working load of 2 tonnes and is electric powered with long-lasting batteries.

The mini crane has a maximum radius of 2.7m and a maximum tip height of 4.3m. A 3B6 digital load moment indictor supports lifting safety.


Ideal for glass lifting

Other lifting tasks it is well-suited to include glass and curtain wall installation, aircraft maintenance, and machinery moving in factories.

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For more information about the Valla 20E TRX pick and carry crane and all other machines in the Hird mini cranes hire fleet, call Hird today.

We offer competitive mini crane hire rates and accredited pick and carry crane training nationally.

Northern 01482 227333

Central 01302 341659

Southern 0203 174 0658

Email: [email protected]

- Pick and Carry Cranes