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Counterbalance Floor Cranes

Counterbalance Lifting Beams

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Static Vertical (1a)

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IPAF Competent Assessed Person (CAP)

IPAF Training Courses

A17 Telescopic Handler Course (C. All Sizes Excluding 360° Slew)

A40 Slinger Signaller (B. All Types – Static duties)

Appointed Person A61 Training Course

A62 Crane Lifting Operations Supervisor

A66 Compact Crane (A. Static Stabilisers)

A66 Compact Crane (B. Mobile Industrial)

A66 Compact Crane (D. Pick & Carry)

CPCS Training Courses

Vacuum Robot

Counterbalance Floor Crane

Counterbalance Lifting Beam – Hook Attachment

Counterbalance Lifting Beam – Vacuum Attachment

LEEA Training Courses

Below the Hook Vacuum Lifter

Forklift Truck Courses

RTITB Training Courses

Low Level Access

Low Level and Towers for Users – Combined

Towers for Users

Working at Height (Essentials)

PASMA Training Courses

L2 NVQ Diploma – Slinger/Signaller

L2 NVQ – Cranes and Specialist Lifting – Compact Cranes

L4 NVQ - Controlling Lifting Operations (Construction) – Supervising Lifts

L5 NVQ  Controlling Lifting Operations (Construction) – Planning Lifts

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The Hird Test

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About Us

<h3>Kappel is a German manufacturer of vacuum material lifters which include some of the most powerful machines on the market.</h3>

Kappel vacuum lifters, under it’s Hydraulica range, deliver lifting solutions for some of the biggest challenges, including curved and irregular-shaped glass.

Kappel

kappel-ggh600-compact-counterweight-balancer

Kappel GGH600 - Compact Counterweight Balancer

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Once in a while, we take Product of the Month off piste to cover stuff that’s not made of metal and would hurt if it ran over your foot.</h2>



We’re doing it now, because our Product of the Month for April is Hird service.



We think it’s important to remember, every now and then, that a product is not just the kit. It is also the smile on the face (seen or sensed over the phone), the helping hand, and the challenge overcome.



It’s a bit of a journey into the intangible. You can see a robotic glass lifter (as long as it is delivered on time). But service can be less easy to define.



So, here we are talking about elements of service that have a direct impact on our customers. That makes sure the kit is delivered on time, and the customer and their client are happy.



The point is, we can all be tempted by a sales pitch. By a bargain. By something new. Here at Hird, we know, in the world of industrial equipment hire, consistency counts.





<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/assets/uploads/2024/04/Hird-Service-POTM-1024x942.jpg" alt="Hird Service - POTM" class="wp-image-29739"/></figure>









<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hird service expertise</h2>



For us, that consistency starts with expertise.



Hird has been hiring out <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/mini-cranes">mini cranes</a>, <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/powered-access">access platforms</a>, <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/trolleys-and-accessories">material moving equipment</a>, and <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/glass-lifting">glass lifting equipment</a> for a long time (Hird is no fly-by-night).





<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/mini-cranes"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/assets/uploads/2024/04/mini-cranes.jpg" alt="mini cranes" class="wp-image-29733"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/mini-cranes">Mini Cranes</a></figcaption></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/powered-access"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/assets/uploads/2024/04/access-platforms.jpg" alt="access platforms" class="wp-image-29731"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/powered-access">Access Platforms</a></figcaption></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/trolleys-and-accessories"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/assets/uploads/2024/04/material-trolley.jpg" alt="material trolley" class="wp-image-29732"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/trolleys-and-accessories">Material Moving</a></figcaption></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/glass-lifting"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/assets/uploads/2024/04/vacuum-lifter.jpg" alt="vacuum lifter" class="wp-image-29734"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/glass-lifting">Glass Lifting</a></figcaption></figure>





It is a complicated and safety-critical business. Many of our clients value our expertise. In fact, they rely on it. Expertise from Hird comes from people (not chatbots). Hire desk teams who know what they’re talking about. Technicians who want to help.



Hundreds, probably thousands, of times a year, our advice saves clients time, effort and money by advising them on the best combination of equipment needed for specific projects.









<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The curious engineer</h2>



In fact, expertise has always been at the centre of our service. It is epitomised by the development by Peter Hird Snr, who founded the business, of what has become known as the <a href="https://hird.co.uk/service-and-maintenance/the-hird-test-measuring-mewp-battery-endurance">Hird Test</a>.



Back in the 1980s, after a customer complained about the poor battery performance of an access platform, Peter Hird Snr set out to develop a method for checking how long a battery should last for every type and model of MEWP in the fleet.



It was the engineer in him. He wanted to know. That determination, led to a battery endurance test – the Hird Test – that is still used by manufacturers and rental specialists around the world.





<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/service-and-maintenance/the-hird-test-measuring-mewp-battery-endurance"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/assets/uploads/2022/10/The-Hird-Test-–-measuring-MEWP-battery-endurance.jpg" alt="The Hird Test – measuring MEWP battery endurance" class="wp-image-26643"/></a></figure>











<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Listening and delivering</h2>



The same practical and evidence-based approach to service is alive and well at Hird today.



It informs how we develop and manage our hire fleets and the type of new equipment we invest in.



We are continuously listening to customers. Working in partnership with them. So we can provide not just what they need now but in a year or two years’ time.







<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/tracked-maeda-mini-crane-hire/maeda-mc285-3-all-electric"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/backend/assets/uploads/2024/04/maeda_mc285cb-3-all-electric_tracked-spider-crane-edited.png" alt="maeda_mc285cb-3-all-electric_tracked-spider-crane" class="wp-image-29723"/></a></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/valla-pick-and-carry-cranes/v80r"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/backend/assets/uploads/2024/04/Valla-V80R-pick-and-carry-crane-edited.jpg" alt="Valla-V80R-pick-and-carry-crane" class="wp-image-29724"/></a></figure>













It is why we are investing in <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/tracked-maeda-mini-crane-hire">electric Maeda spider cranes</a>. Why we have the most modern fleet of <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/valla-pick-and-carry-cranes">Valla electric pick and carry</a> in the UK, if not Europe.



It is why we work with manufacturers to commission and design bespoke <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/vacuum-lifters">vacuum glass lifters</a>, like the <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/glass-lifting/kappel-adjustable-fin-lifter">Fin Lifter</a> from <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/brands/kappel">Kappel</a>.



It is why, when our customers come to us, they know there is a much greater likelihood we will have precisely the right counterbalance lifting beam they need, and the <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/vacuum-lifters">glass vacuum lifter</a> to go with it.



Not just on our website, but in stock, ready to go out to site.





<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/glass-lifting/kappel-adjustable-fin-lifter"><img src="https://hird.co.uk/assets/uploads/2019/11/adjustable_fin_lifter_from_hird.jpg" alt="Product of the Month – Oktopus glass manipulator" class="wp-image-20813"/></a></figure>









<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Find out more about Hird service</h2>



There is more to say about Hird service – look out for another article in the coming weeks.



In the meantime, talk to us about <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/mini-cranes">mini crane hire</a>, <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/powered-access">access platform hire</a>, <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/glass-lifting">glass lifter hire</a> and <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/trolleys-and-accessories">materials lifting equipment hire</a>.



Remember, Hird service involves more than just equipment hire. We can supply equipment with operators, or manage projects on your behalf as contract lifts.



We can also deliver training for all equipment across our hire fleets.



Email: <a href="mailto:info@hird.co.uk">info@hird.co.uk</a>





Northern <a href="tel:01482227333">01482 227333</a>





Central <a href="tel:01302341659">01302 341659</a>





Southern <a href="tel:02031740658">0203 174 0658</a>









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Product of the Month – Hird Service

A fantastic new compact counterbalancer for use under smaller soffits and overhangs but still offering excellent capacity &#8211; 600kg.







Also available with 350kg lifting capacity – <a href="https://hird.co.uk/products/counterbalance-lifting-beams/kappel-ggh350">Kappel GGH350</a>

Kappel GGH600

Counterbalance lifting beams, also known as overhang beams, are lifting devices that assist in the lifting of materials under overhanging structures up to three metres deep, such as roof soffits.
Hird’s counterbalance lifting beams can be used in conjunction with tower cranes, <a href="https://hird.co.uk/crane-hire/">mobile cranes</a> and <a href="http://hird.co.uk/products/mini-cranes">mini cranes</a>. They are used by façade and glazing installation specialists to complete the most challenging projects.
Our counterbalance lifting beams allow the lifting of loads up to 8 tonnes. They can be combined with a range of vacuum lifters, depending on size and weight of the load, also available for hire from Hird.

Hird has established itself as a leading provider of glass handling and glass lifting services in the UK.
We provide a comprehensive range of <a href="http://hird.co.uk/products/glazing-robots">glazing robots</a>, glass <a href="http://hird.co.uk/products/vacuum-lifters">vacuum lifters</a>, and glass handling accessories, such as <a href="http://hird.co.uk/products/glass-trolleys">glazing trolleys</a>, vacuum cups and glazing slings.
Hird is the UK and Ireland authorised distributor for Winlet glazing robots, which are among the most advanced and capable glazing robots available in the UK. They are designed to lift, carry and place glass panels with complete safety and precision.
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Make an enquiry

Kappel GGH600

Kappel - Counterbalance Beam

Northern (Head Office)

01482 227 333

[email protected]

Central

01302 341 659

[email protected]

Southern

0203 174 0658

[email protected]