Cranes were brought in when plans to use a helicopter for a publicity stunt fell through. The project, completed in July, was to place four 50m fabric ‘socks’, designed to look like dry cell batteries, on the four chimneys of the old Battersea power station in south west London.
It was established that a helicopter would not be able to complete the task so Hewden Crane Hire was called in to complete the £32,000 ($46,500), six-day project to promote Duracell.
Larger of the two cranes used was Hewden’s Demag AC 2000, rigged with 59.5m of main boom and a 56m luffing fly jib. The other crane was a 500t Liebherr LTM 1500 with 55m of main boom and a 56m luffing fly jib.
For the lifts the cranes were placed to flank two sides of the power station where each one could reach two of the chimneys. The socks, tubular lengths of fabric with a steel ring at each end, were then lifted into place.
The disused power station is popular for promotions. Others have included Absolut vodka and band Pink Floyd.
