Leading escalator and lift installers and removal specialists Liftout have complete their first project with a Valla 25EL mini crane supplied by Hird – and say they have been very impressed with its performance.
Liftout bought the pick and carry crane to install 10 new escalators in Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport as part of a plan to increase passenger movement capacity due to the introduction of the new Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet.
The company’s project manager, John Bostock, said:
“It was the first mini crane we’ve bought and we have been impressed with the Valla 25EL from the start. It’s proved to be highly manoeuvrable, easy to use and very handy for lifting and moving in confined spaces. It’s exceeded our expectations.”
The Valla 25EL is an electric pick and carry mini crane with a maximum lift capacity of 2.25 tonnes. Its gross weight it just 1950 kgs and has a width of just 950mm, so is ideal for being operated in confined spaces.
Liftout faced a major task of transporting the escalator equipment from where it could be delivered to the terminal to the location where they would be installed, which is why they turned to Hird to identify a Valla mini crane to help with the job.
John explained:
“The escalators are delivered in sections. Each section had to be moved a distance of half a mile, from their delivery point to where the sections are put together and installed.
“At one point the sections were moved through an underground passenger tunnel. Using a pick and carry crane turned out to be an ideal solution.
“Each escalator section weighed three to four tonnes. The Valla mini crane lifted each piece at one end, and a skate was placed at the other, allowing the section to be pushed along.
“The Valla 25EL was compact and light enough to be carried in goods lifts, taking it four floors down to the passenger tunnel back up through lifts on the other side. It can turn in a very tight circle, so allows the equipment to be moved and placed with precision wherever it was needed.”
At the installation point, the mini crane was also useful to assemble the sections of the A-frame that was built to lift the assembled escalator into place, and move the A-frame into precisely the correct position.
John added:
“Using a pick and carry crane in this way proved to be the cleanest, neatest and easiest lifting solution. Alternatives might have been to use a forklift or a power pusher. But they wouldn’t have been as easy to execute and would have involved a good deal more pushing and shoving.
“Using the Valla 25EL mini crane took less effort, using fewer operatives and less manual handling so it was quicker, easier and safer. It’s opened up a lot more options for us. We can see how it will be a big benefit going forward.”
As part of Liftout’s sales and service package, eight Liftout staff received mini crane operator training from Hird. John Bostock said: “Our team said the training was very good and easy to follow. In fact, operating the crane is straightforward. With Hird’s support, it has been a smooth experience.”
Hird is the UK and Ireland authorised distributor for Valla pick and carry mini cranes.
It offers a range of mini cranes for hire and for sale. Hird can also supply spider cranes for hire and for sale, as well as a range of glass handling equipment, such as glazing robots and glass vacuum lifters, as well as powered access equipment, including cherry pickers, personnel lifts and scissor lifts.
All machines are supplied through a nationwide service provided via three regional depots. Call us to discuss your lifting, glass and materials handling and powered access needs.
Northern – 01482 227333
Central – 01302 341659
Southern – 0203 174 0658
