Hird expands mini crane and glass lifting fleets

The mini crane, glass lifting and powered access specialist has added a fleet of new Maeda 285-2 and Maeda 405 spider cranes to its mini crane hire fleet.It has worked with Kappel to co-design its new in-line fin lifter glass vacuum, which can be extended to nine metres in length, with a maximum capacity of 1,800 kg.The investments mean Hird has one of the largest mini crane hire fleets in the UK, and can offer one of the widest ranges of glass vacuum lifters as well.Hird Managing Director Phil Hird said: “This significant investment is driven by healthy demand from our clients, and innovative ideas being generated by Hird.“Clients are wanting more precise lifting solutions for technically challenging tasks, especially in the construction industry, and we aim to keep up with that demand.“Mini cranes are increasingly coming into their own for lifting solutions that require flexibility and operation in confined areas, especially where working height is limited.“Our aim is to satisfy all glass lifting requirements.As construction methods become more sophisticated and glass becomes a more integral part of building structures, specialist vacuum lifters are needed for particular roles. Our new fin lifter in one such machine.”

Maeda mini cranes are renowned for being robust, highly capable, and for being able to lift loads at a relatively high radius, at low tip height.

The Maeda 285-2 has a maximum lifting capacity of 2.82 tonnes. An optional 850kg searcher hook gives it additional up and over lifting capability.

The Maeda 405 spider crane has a 3.83 tonne lift capacity, with a fly jib that extends working radius up to 16m. It also has a useful pick and carry function with a maximum load of 500kg.

Phil Hird said: “With a range of spider cranes and pick and carry cranes in our hire fleet, we can always select the right crane for the right job. That maximises safety, operational effectiveness and cost-efficiency.”

Hird is also the authorised UK and Ireland dealer for Valla Cranes and Winlet glazing robots. Its new adjustable fin lifter is its latest response to continuing trend of glass being used as a potential load-bearing structural component in buildings.

The vacuum lifter has been put through its paces installing large glass panels on the Bloomberg London building – the new European HQ in the City of London for Bloomberg LP, the global leader in financial information.







The design of the fin lifter was ideal for the elongated panels being installed on the building, one of two in the Bloomberg London complex currently under construction.

Demand for specialist vacuum lifters, like Hird’s new fin lifter, will grow as glass is used in increasingly imaginative ways by architects and glazing technology develops. Glass fins, or mullions, are panels of glass, often elongated, designed to provide structural strength.

The Kappel Fin Lifter provides 210 degree lockable rotation, and has remote tilting from vertical to horizontal positions. For additional safety, it has new 4-circuit technology, with four vacuum reserve tanks, and four non-return valves.

For more information, contact Hird on 01482 227333 or info@hird.co.uk