Oh Happy Days!
28 October 2021An eagerly-awaited Vertikal Days finally took place in the UK in September. Christian Shelton reports
UK lifting trade show Vertikal Days took place at The East of England Arena on 22nd and 23rd September, 2021. After two previous cancellations due to Covid exhibitors and visitors, from both the UK and overseas, were excited to escape the confines of their (home) offices and to once again see industry peers, colleagues, and old friends in the flesh.
With no height restrictions at the showground the spectacle of multiple booms and jibs punctuating the skyline was a heartening sight.
Adding to the already buzzing atmosphere the weather was great, aiding social distancing regulations, with many enjoying the sunshine. The good weather also meant that networking continued long into the evening under a bright, full moon accompanied by the sounds of a live jazz band.
Exhibitors reported a renewed positivity in the market, with many high-quality enquiries and sales leads. And with a plethora of new product launches, product demonstrations, and crane handovers, visitors were spoilt for choice as to what to see. The following is a snapshot of just some of the cranes and lifting equipment on display at the event…
Massimo De Lazzero, export manager, ENG Cranes, in front of Falcon Tower Cranes’ ENG ETH 216. For more on the collaboration between ENG and Falcon
Liebherr-Great Britain showcased a total of seven cranes on its stand including its two newest releases: the 150 tonne capacity LTM 1150-5.3 mobile crane and the MK 73-3.1 mobile tower crane
Spierings showcased its SK1265-AT6, owned by City Lifting, with its zero-emission eLift system (inset) which enables full electric or hybrid mode and was launched last year
Spierings showcased its SK1265-AT6, owned by City Lifting, with its zero-emission eLift system (inset) which enables full electric or hybrid mode and was launched last year
Steve Foster Cranes’ Grove GMK5150L-1 on Manitowoc’s stand. The crane can lift 11.8 tonnes with its 60 metre boom at a radius of up to 18 metres. It has a new carrier cab and a single Euromot 5/Tier 4 compliant engine
Select Plant Hire’s 60-tonne capacity Liebherr LTR 1060 telescopic crawler crane on the Liebherr GB stand
Lifting beam specialist Modulift launched the clevis drop link and delta plate and Trimod at the show
One of King Lifting’s two new 230-tonne capacity Leibherr LTM 1230-5.1s on display on the Liebherr GB stand. The five-axle crane has an eight-section 75 metre main boom
City Lifting says its Artic Cranes CL25 has a variety of mounting possibilities, low weight and loadings, 150 metre rope path, and jib lengths of 6, 8 and 10 metres. "It is easy to quickly relocate or climb through floors," said Bob Jones, director at City Lifting
City Lifting showed the upgraded five-tonne Raptor 85 articulated tower crane, made by Swedish company Artic Cranes, on its stand. City has around 30 Raptors in its fleet working in London. For more about the relationship between City Lifting and Artic Cranes
Radius Group’s ten-tonne maximum capacity Potain MRH 175 hydraulic luffing jib tower crane on the Manitowoc stand
Falcon Cranes’ (yellow) ENG ETH 216; Middle: Falcon Cranes’ (yellow) Jaso J198 HPA; Right: City Lifting’s (blue) Raptor 85 made by Arctic Crane. For more about how Falcon and City have worked with manufacturers on these cranes
Skyline, a Uperio company, launched the Opti crane – a 1.5 tonne capacity self-erector which can be towed behind a standard pickup truck.
Peter Hird, business development director Crosby Blokcam at The Crosby Group, demonstrated the Blokcam in an operator's cab on the Falcon Tower Cranes stand
UK Kato distributor Rivertek's stand: Left (red crane): O’Carroll Crane Hire’s Kato CR-250RV. Centre (grey crane): Kato CR-130RF – sold to Sutton Crane Hire. Bottom right (yellow crane): Steve Foster Cranes’ Kato CR-130RF
Tadano’s stand included an AC 60-3 (ABA Crane's green crane, left), an ATF 60G-3 (Horizon Crane Hire's yellow crane), a GTC 800 telecrawler (blue and white crane), and an AC100-4L (John Maciver & Sons green and white crane)
Link-Belt’s Roy Burger, manager – international sales, on the NRC Plant stand in front of its 75 tonne capacity Link-Belt TCC800
Skyline, a Uperio company, launched the Opti crane – a 1.5 tonne capacity self-erector which can be towed behind a standard pickup truck.
