Ainscough enhances fleet sustainability

UK lifting solutions provider Ainscough has expanded its fleet with the addition of two new Liebherr cranes. One is a 50-tonne capacity LTC 1050-3.1E Hybrid – the first of its type in the UK. The second is a 700-tonne capacity Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 (Stage 5) crane. Both run on Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

The two cranes fit with the company’s aim to be viewed as a full lift service provider, rather than simply a crane hire company. The purchases are also in line with Ainscough’s sustainability strategy…

Indeed, the company has announced it is the first mobile crane hire firm in Europe to be recognised by Carbon Footprint - an independent climate change consultancy - as being a carbon neutral organisation.

The announcement comes after the company established a task force dedicated to finding a path to net zero carbon emissions. A carbon audit conducted in 2018 found that Ainscough expended 15k tonnes/ CO2e per year, 90% of which came from fuel use.

Ainscough initially committed to a trial of HVO to reduce emissions created by diesel usage and subsequently implemented the policy company-wide to its entire fleet in 2022. 

In November 2023 Ainscough celebrated a year of solely using HVO – concluding that carbon expenditure had been reduced by 80% for that year.

Ainscough’s remaining carbon emissions for this period have been mitigated through a series of investments into verified renewable energy carbon offsetting programmes, undertaken via the guidance of Carbon Footprint.

In 2022, the company offset 700 tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) in the form of investment into a Uruguayan wind farm. In December 2023, it chose to offset the 3,023 tonnes CO2e required to mitigate its remaining carbon footprint by supporting a solar power carbon offsetting project in India.

Moving forward towards its net zero goal Ainscough will be conducting a series of energy audits across its network of depots, intending to produce ‘eco-depots’ with 20% more efficient energy use and reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, the company is looking at other alternatives such as a reduced travel weight programme and advanced ancillary technologies. 

“The purchase of the LTC 1050-3.1E Hybrid, in particular, is the next step in this journey,” said Ainscough CEO Peter Gibbs at a recent open day showcasing the new equipment.

The LTC 1050-3.1E Hybrid has an electric motor in addition to its conventional power unit. This enables crane movements to be powered electrically, if desired. The LTC can take electricity for crane operations directly from site. Alternatively, it can be powered by Liebherr’s Liduro free-standing battery pack.

The LTC 1050-3.1E will be based at Ainscough’s Bristol depot, where it is well positioned, if required, to provide indoor ‘clean’ crane services to Hinkley Point C now that the roof of the reactor building is on.

The LTM 1650-8.1 (the third model in Ainscough’s fleet) will work across the UK. “The LTM 1650-8.1 is very versatile and popular with a range of clients who take advantage of its vario wind, vario ballast and vario outrigger duties,” says Andrew Spink, operations director heavy cranes at Ainscough. “One or more of these features are regularly used on infrastructure and city centre applications like erecting fixed tower cranes.

“With these two new cranes we continue to invest in the most modern, technically advanced cranes in the market to ensure their clients receive the best ‘lift solution service’ available.”