VC15 tower crane to small builder Robin Bonds Builders of Barnstable, UK

The VC range offers a new breed of self-erecting tower cranes which is ideal for use in congested urban environments where it would normally be impractical for other types of lifting equipment to operate. Its simple, yet effective design enables it to work within a tight working envelope, thereby reducing both erection and dismantling costs. This type of handling solution has proved to be far more efficient than fork lift trucks as it can accurately place materials where they are required. In doing so it reduces wasteful contractor downtime and the need for double-handling.

The practical advantages of these tower cranes have been greatly appreciated by this customer. “As we mainly build single or double unit houses and small factory buildings” said Robin Bonds, the company’s MD, “we have very much appreciated this small and manoeuvrable crane. Not only is it very compact and very versatile, but it does away with most of our Health and Safety problems by taking away the need for manual lifting. This is now done by the crane, so we don’t have to have guys going up and down ladders carrying materials. Instead the crane is used to lift all of the roof slates, trusses, tiles, blocks etc. It is a superb piece of kit, which we get a lot of use out of and I am surprised that there aren’t more of them around.

“It is easy to use and training is fairly straightforward and this only costs around £300 per person, which isn’t excessive. The VC15 is a very nice unit and is ideal for the small builder like us,” concluded Robin. “

The VC tower crane is designed to be completely self-contained, as it has incorporated a ballast handling derrick to avoid the requirement for third party lifting equipment. As a result it can be erected and dismantled using just two people. Another major operational advantage of this crane is that the jib is able to fold in half to avoid the crane violating other party’s airspace. Once erected, it is well suited to 3 and 4 storey construction work and has the added advantage of a minimal physical impact on the site. Only a single phase 3KW mains or 5 KVA generator is required to power the crane a normally available solution.

To produce a very smooth operation, that avoids abrupt speed changes by effectively managing the steps between motor speeds, the VC cranes have incorporated ‘soft start’ on each of the crane’s hoist, trolley and slew motions. This technology enables the load to be positioned much more precisely and also creates a smooth hook action.

Vanson Crane’s managing director, Trevor Vanson, is convinced that this range offers real value for money for the small builder. “Once our clients have had a VC crane”, said Vanson, “they soon realise the cost savings that can be achieved due to its operational efficiencies, speed of operation, low operating costs and reduced handling costs. Also, its ability to reduce handling risk is becoming an important factor in a builder’s’ decision making process.”