We have only got 34 cranes but in heavy lifting, at 200t and above, we are number two or three in the UK. We have got two 200 tonners, two 250 tonners, a 280 tonner, two 300 tonners and two 500 tonners.
The two 500 tonners are both Liebherrs. We got our first LTM 1500 in 2000 and got the second one this year. The new one has the Y-frame boom attachment. We went for Liebherr rather than Demag because I don’t like the design for rigging ballast on the Demag AC 500 and I think the Liebherr is a superior machine. The option of an 84m telescopic boom means that you don’t have to bang in pins to connect jib extensions. We do a lot of night work and this makes it a lot quieter.
We have a Demag AC 350 with Sideways Superlift on order. It was supposed to be delivered 12 months ago but this is the first 350 SSL that Demag has produced – they have only delivered the SSL attachment on 500t and 650t machines so far – so there are teething problems to sort out. The AC 350, though, is the most compact heavy lifter in its class. It is on a six-axle carrier so it’s the same size as the 220t Grove but lifts 350t and in parts of the chart is as good as an old Liebherr 400 tonner.
The Demag SSL system is not as easy to use or erect as the Liebherr system but it outlifts anything there is once it is set up.
We have also got a Demag AC 200 on order. That’s a five-axle machine with a 68m boom.
Our 200 tonners are both Groves. Very good machine, very easy to operate and very compact. The 300 tonners are Groves as well. At the time it was an economic decision and we worked with Grove to increase the amount of carried ballast on the cranes to make them user friendly.
Interviewed by Phil Bishop
