Big 5: Big lift for GCC spider crane

Spider cranes are compact and versatile.

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Demand for cranes that can be operated in limited access conditions is on the rise, according to total access solution provider Orientals Specialist Lifting (OSL).

Limited access cranes, like the UNIC Spider Crane, which OSL distributes in the GCC, are one of the newest innovations to hit the crane industry in the last five years. While the cranes are compact, they also provide the capacity of reach of heavier machines with a much larger footprint.

To prove the point, as part of the PMV Live demonstrations area, OSL is using one of its UNIC Spider Cranes to lift a 1.7t Mini car.

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OSL general manager Gary Jones says that spider cranes – so-called because of its four long, extendable legs – are small enough to fit through a standard doorframe and proving their worth for interior access in a variety of locations in the GCC, including hospitals, power stations and petrochemical plants. In Europe they have also been used in buildings for renovation and restoration work, for example.

The mini crawlers are tracked for mobility over rough terrain and can even mount stairs. The four outrigger legs are used to provide load stability and to ensure the cranes can operate on sloping ground.

“It is an emerging market,” said Jones. “But when people see it and what it can do, it piques their interest.”

Jones said that glazing companies are especially attracted to using compact equipment on-site as it side-steps a lot of the logistical problems associated with construction.

“Glazing companies are always having to fight for use of tower cranes on-site, even over the course of an eight-hour day,” he said. “These cranes can literally fit inside someone’s office. It makes them independent of the contractor.

They can get inside the building and start working because of the size and mobility.”

He adds that OSL is also seeing demand for the larger variants of the crane. The 706, a 6t capacity crane with a 22.7m height reach, was recently sent to Saudi Bin Laden to work on the King Fahd University project.

“Although it was only taken to carry 2.4t loads it is actually lifting 4 t,” Jones revealed. He added that the company also has a crane working on the Sidra Hospital in Qatar, alongside what he describes as a “total access solution.”

“We had to make a special crane for that job,” he said. “It needed to take a load on the roof with a 35m outreach. That crane could be the biggest in the Middle East.”

With the Mini on a mini-crane gaining a lot of interest in the busy outdoors area of PMV Live, Jones is understandably pleased to reveal that the demonstration has led to a potential sale to a Saudi Arabian customer. He believes it has had the added bonus of drawing in a customer for one of OSL’s Geko Glazing robots.

“It’s part of what’s good about show like this,” he continued. “Although it’s not always about selling, a lot of what we do here is marketing.”

He added: “I’m very pleased with the show so far. We made a lot of effort for the event and thankfully that effort has been matched by the organisers.”

Jones said that OSL learned from its experience at BIG 5 last year, where it had a smaller indoor stand. He was determined that the company used its appearance at PMV Live to maximise its exposure this time around.

“I’ve already got four ideas for next year!” He joked. “I’m always thinking about ways to standout at a show. I’m trying to time the demonstration so that we get the most people coming through the stand.”