Making the most productive use of lifting equipment is key to the success of modern construction projects, which is right where our Product of the Month for March, the Maeda MC405 comes in.
Modern construction methods, where teams need to safely and efficiently carry out different tasks within a limited space, are only possible when the right lifting methodologies are available.
The Maeda MC405 tracked spider crane is one of those machines that is breaking the mould on construction sites, allowing projects to be completed more quickly, with fewer operatives, and more safely.
Small but powerful mini crane
The Maeda MC405 is a mid-range spider crane with a maximum safe working load (SWL) of 3.83 tonnes, and a pick and carry duty of 500kg. Yet it is just 1380mm wide, so can fit through standard double doors.
Maximum working height can be increased from 16.8m to 20.7m with a fly jib, giving the mini spider crane excellent up and over reach.
The machine can also be fitted with a 500kg searcher hook to support lifting where there is low headroom, such as close to a ceiling, or under a balcony or roof soffit.
Excellent performance and safety
As an ultra-modern spider crane, the Maeda MC405 is packed with many more features designed to make lifting easier, more productive, and safer.
A powerful two-speed winch supports precision lifting and load control. A programmable moment limiter ensures safe and flexible lifting in all environments. The spider crane is fitted with a tilt sensor and alarm.
It has sit on and remote control functions, so mini crane operators can always ensure they are in the right position to control a lift with confidence at all time, reducing the need for machine repositioning.
Perfect mini crane for glass lifting
A good example of what the Maeda MC405 can do was the installation of glass fins during the refurbishment of the 23-storey Helen Tower in the City of London.
We published a case study of the lift, taking a close look at the Kappel fin vacuum lifter used during the glass installation project. But we could have just as well focussed on the Maeda MC405 tracked spider crane used to carry out the lift.
Space was at a huge premium, and the structural glass fins, each weighing over 1,000kg, had to be lifted and installed under an overhang in what was to become an impressive entrance atrium.
The Maeda M405 spider crane, controlled by a Hird crane operator, coped with the challenges with flying colours.
Improving lifting productivity
Back to that point about productivity on a complex construction site. By using mini cranes like the Maeda MC405, construction crews can free up tower cranes for other lifting tasks.
They allow the tower crane lifting envelope to be reduced, saving the cost of installing large cranes to cover smaller numbers of lifting projects at isolated points on construction sites.
They also remove the need for other permanent lifting equipment solutions, such as hoist systems, to be put in place. Often these systems cannot be used with modern buildings, because of restrictions on fixing points.
Maeda MC405 spider cranes can be repositioned and start lifting again within minutes – to allow continuous lifting, with minimal manual handing, within complex work sites.
One mini crane – many uses
Our Product of the Month is just as useful for carrying out single lift projects, such as installation of art works, or machinery removal or installation.
It can also be fitted with a range of attachments – for example the Wirth Oktopus GL-CC777600 glass manipulator, for lifting, controlling with complete precision, and then installing glass and other non-porous panels.
So, when you see a Hird Maeda MC405 mini crane you know you are looking at a machine that is pushing back the boundaries of modern lifting, and in some cases making possible what just a few years ago would have been, at best, very very challenging.
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