The deal comprises Igo 50 and Igo 36 models. Rising 26m from ground level, both cranes have a lifting capacity of up to 4t. The fully-automatic Igo 36 has a maximum jib length of 32m, while its bigger brother can reach out to 40m.
Using wireless technology, both machines can be hydraulically erected and operated at the touch of a button on a hand-held control unit. As soon as they were tested and commissioned by Setchey’s engineering staff, the new arrivals were folded down and shipped out to start work on sites in London and Essex.
As well as being compact, the cranes run on clean and quiet electrical power – ideal for smaller, low-rise sites such as residential developments and tight brownfield sites.
“We’ve seen an increasing requirement for this kind of product, both internally and externally,” says Pat Glynn, operations director for Kier plant. He added: “We expect to double our initial order before too long.”
Kier said that the demand for self-erectors is growing due to the ease of erection and the ability to self-drive them. Whilst it does not believe they will ever take the place of traditional tower cranes it reckons they will become “more and more popular.”
The self-erectors join a fleet of over 100 tower cranes and crawler cranes that are prepared and maintained at Setchey, which supports six other Kier Plant depots around the UK, plus overseas operations.
Kier Plant is broadening the range and versatility of its lifting gear to meet growing demands, both from Kier Group construction companies and further afield. It has developed a significant external market, which now accounts for around two-thirds of its crane hire operations.
Setchey has been home to Kier’s main servicing centre since the early 1950s. Run by a 40-strong workforce, the 23-acre site is the biggest in the Kier Plant network, containing offices, stores and 3,500sq m of workshops, including mechanical and electrical services, a steel fabrication bay, paint shop and machine shop.
