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Spider crane makes light work of inside-out glass installation

Spider crane makes light work of inside-out glass installation

A Maeda spider crane hired from Hird Ltd is being used to carry out inside-out glass lifting at one of the South West’s most popular retail destinations.

The MC405 tracked mini crane, combined with a P11104 vacuum lifter, is being used to install glass in the new Next superstore at the Gloucester Quays designer outlet, in Gloucester.

The lifting and installation process has to be an inside-out operation because of very limited space outside one elevation of the building which is next to one of the historical quays at Gloucester Docks.

The MC405 spider crane is being used to lift glass panels inside the building. Its boom is then being extended to take the panels out of the building to allow them to be installed into an external aperture.

With a maximum lifting capacity of 3.83 tonnes at a radius of 2.7 metres, and 0.21 tonnes at its maximum radius of 16 metres, the Maeda MC405 spider crane is ideally-suited to the installation technique.

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The lifting team is also using a Genie 3246 electric scissor lift hired from Hird to support the glass installation process. It has a maximum working height of 11.75 metres and a lifting capacity of 318kg.

Taking the weight of the glass load is a Woods Powr-Grip P11104 in-line vacuum lifter, which has a maximum capacity of 320kg, plus a dual circuit vacuum system for powerful and safe glass lifting.

Hird Managing Director Phil Hird said: “Maeda mini cranes are ideal for this work, because they combine excellent precision, with industry-leading reach and lifting capacity.

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“The spider crane can be set up quickly and can be fitted with a 500kg searcher hook to provide additional reach, which can be especially useful where there are low ceilings or other overhead obstructions.

“The mini crane can also be remotely controlled, so the operator can step to one side, or closer to the load, to have the best and safest view of the lifting operation.”

As well as be regularly used for glass installation, the Maeda MC405 spider crane is often hired out for other tasks, including facilities maintenance, machinery moving, and steel erection.

The ship canal to Gloucester, terminating at Gloucester Docks, was opened in 1827 and allowed boats to bypass a particularly winding part of the River Severn, turning Gloucester into an inland port.

It is now one of Gloucestershire’s busiest tourist attraction, combining shops, bars, restaurants, and several museums, along with opportunities to cruise along the River Severn.

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Hird can provided trained and experienced crane operators, as well as a contract lift service, if required. Accredited crane operator and IPAF working at height training can also be carried out at worksites or at one of Hird’s training centres.

For more information about Maeda spider crane hire, vacuum lifter hire, and powered access hire, provided nationally via three regional operational hubs, call Hird today.

Northern 01482 227333

Central 01302 341659

Southern 0203 174 0658

Email: [email protected]