Contract Lifting

Hird Ltd offers a contract lifting and machinery movement service for industrial machinery, plant and equipment throughout the UK and Ireland.

Hird is able to handle anything from a single machine move, to the installation of a complete industrial production line.

We have operational depots across the UK, so can deploy the latest cranes and lifting equipment and experienced teams for any machinery moving contract lift quickly and safely.

Hird is committed to supplying the best possible service in machinery moving, starting with a free, no-obligations site survey, through to detailed planning, risk analysis, and then project delivery.

Customers from a wide range of industries and commercial sectors rely on Hird for their contract lifting tasks, including data centre installation and management, petrochemicals, food and drink production, aerospace and fabrication industries.

Our large fleet of electric pick and carry cranes and spider cranes are designed to work inside factories – including in live food production areas – carrying out machine lifting tasks with zero emissions and low noise.

Hird’s provides trained personnel to ensure that its machine moving services comply with BS7121 Safe Use of Cranes and PUWER, LOLER regulations within the contract lifting price.

Contact Hird today for a free, no obligation site survey. Our highly experienced can-do teams are ready to assist, and advise you on the best solution to suit your machinery moving needs.

Call 01482 227333 or email [email protected].

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Tandem Lifts

Hird’s machinery moving teams are experts at carrying out tandem lifts, where two cranes are used to lift and control loads. Large and irregular-shaped loads, often combined with constrained space, can make these projects particularly challenging.

Mobile Crane Hire

Our mobile crane hire service is trusted by customers across many sectors, including construction, marine maintenance and engineering, art installation, manufacturing and process engineering, and facilities management.

Need help moving an item safely?

Please leave a few details and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Ticking all the right boxes

No obligation site survey

Full risk assessment

Available to work in high risk conditions

BS7121 Safe Use of Cranes

Method statement

Lifting plan

Full accredited lifting professionals

Contact the Hird Moving Team today to discuss your next lift

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Case Studies

View examples of our Contract Lifting & Machine Moving expertise

Lift of air conditioning equipment

Lift of container from ship

Machine skate move

Bridge and escalator removal

Contract Lifting in Action

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Types of Contract Lifting

Contract lifting services are tailored to the complexity and requirements of each lifting project.

The main types include:

Basic Contract Lift

The crane company provides a competent operator, lift supervisor, and slinger/signaller, plans the lift, and ensures all work complies with relevant regulations such as BS7121 and LOLER. The company supplies the crane and necessary lifting equipment, manages site segregation, and handles all safety documentation.

Intermediate/Complex Contract Lift

For more challenging lifts—such as those involving large, irregular, or heavy loads, or restricted spaces—an Appointed Person is present onsite to oversee the operation. These lifts may require advanced planning, 3D CAD drawings, specialist lifting accessories, coordination with local authorities, and traffic management.

Specialist Contract Lifting

This covers unique scenarios, such as tandem lifts (using two cranes simultaneously), machinery moving inside sensitive environments (like live food production areas), or projects requiring zero emissions and low noise. Specialist equipment such as electric pick and carry cranes or spider cranes is often used.

Each type is designed to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance, regardless of the lift’s complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions – Contract Lifting

What is contract lifting?

Contract lifting is a comprehensive service where the lifting contractor takes full responsibility for the planning, execution, and supervision of a lifting operation.

This includes site surveys, risk assessments, method statements, supply of all equipment and personnel, and compliance with safety standards and regulations. The contractor also provides insurance cover for the operation.

What does a contract lifting service include?

A contract lifting service typically covers:

Free, no-obligation site survey
Detailed lift planning and risk analysis
Method statements and lifting plans
Provision of trained and accredited personnel (Appointed Person, lift supervisor, slinger/signaller, operators)
Supply of suitable cranes and lifting equipment
Full compliance with BS7121, PUWER, and LOLER regulations
Insurance for the lifting operation
Coordination with local authorities, including traffic management if required.

Always check with your contract lift company to ensure what is covered and what else you may need to provide