CPN braved an unseasonal June day in Oxfordshire so you didn’t have to. It was worth the trip…
What started as an overcast morning for the staging of GGR Group’s open day at the beginning of June soon deteriorated into an out-and-out drizzle fest – not that dismayed the hundreds of preregistered guests who descended on the group’s yard in Haddenham, Oxfordshire.
With a big shed, a marquee and a fleet of umbrellas as cover, the crowd not only enjoyed some excellent hospitality, but also some new machines and informative talks. Exhibiting partners included Liebherr, Evercam, Conquip, Pewag, Allmi and Skyline Cockpit. Among the new kit on show were two from GGR’s own brand UNIC – the UMM445, a lithium-ion pop-up spider crane and the URW 806-03 mini spider crane; plus the Palfinger PCC115.002 crawler crane and JMG Cranes’ MC45SB pick and carry crane.
Malloy Aeronautics
In the talks, we were introduced to Malloy Aeronautics and its ‘heavy lift’ drone. Now, in crane world, there’s heavy lifting and heavy lifting; and so it’s easy to dismiss the company’s 68kg capacity as not heavy at all. As was discussed in the meeting though, 68kg is sufficient to move a significant amount of tools and equipment and other items – such as replacement double-glazing units – to awkward and inaccessible places, whether a ship at sea or the top of a tower block. No-one left the talk unconvinced of the potential of the machine and struck that the company are now trialling the T400, which can manage 180kg. It is also working towards a drone that can carry a single person prone – ideal for casevac applications.
UNIC UMM445
The UNIC UM445 mini spider crane offers impressive specifications for a machine of its size, including a main boom lifting capacity of four tonnes, a lift height of 11.0m, and a working radius of 9.8m, all while delivering pick-and-carry capability. The hydraulic tele-luffing jib further enhances its capabilities with a 1.5 tonne lifting capacity, a 170° working range, and an extended maximum lift height of 17.5m, alongside a working radius of 15.6m.
The crane is equipped with an all new Scanreco radio remote control, featuring colour graphics and realtime data. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the UM445 offers ‘charge while in use’ capability, lownoise operation, and zero emissions. This ensures minimal disruption and continuous operation in sensitive environments.
JMG Cranes’ MC45SB
With a capacity of 4.5 tonnes, the MC45SB pick and carry crane, features a robust batterypowered system, providing power for up to eight working hours. The crane’s compact design makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor applications; and with a lifting capacity of 4.5 tonnes and a max hook height of 7.6m (with searcher hook), the MC45SB is engineered to handle a wide range of lifting operations.
The battery-powered crane is equipped with advanced radio remote control technology, offering operation from a distance for enhanced operator safety. The intuitive controls and 180° rear hydraulic steering, ensure that operators can manoeuvre the crane with precision.
Palfinger PCC 115.002 Crawler Cranes
This crane’s modular build allows the detachment of the crawler unit from the main body, lowering transport height and making it easier to access tight or low-clearance spaces. The crane body can move along the H-frame outriggers, allowing it to shift position laterally and longitudinally for optimal setup in confined areas. With a main boom outreach of 20.7m and a hook height of 22.5m, the PCC 115.002 can extend its reach to 33.3m and 36m respectively when fitted with its articulated jib. It’s also equipped with a powerful 3.5-tonne hydraulic winch for efficient vertical lifts and offers pick-and-carry functionality.
Powered by a Euro Stage V diesel engine and 415v electric mains power, the PCC 115.002 delivers a dual-powered solution suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Controlled via a full-colour radio remote control, and equipped with advanced features like P-fold boom automation—which automatically folds and unfolds the boom—and active oscillation suppression, which hydraulically dampens boom sway, the PCC 115.002 combines high performance with precision control, making it a compact lifting solution for even the most complex lifting tasks.
UNIC URW 806-03
Previewed at BAUMA in April, the UNIC URW-806-3 mini spider crane – an updated version of the URW-706-2 – boasts an 8,000kg maximum lifting capacity. It includes an updated hydraulic teleluffing jib, Scanreco colour screen remote control with full feedback, variable footprint system and is compatible with the new lithium UNIC ECube system. The new hydraulic tele-luffing jib benefits from an improved lifting capacity of 1000kg, working length of 3.8m – 7.5m (configuration dependent), impressive 27.8m lift height and maximum working radius of 21.0m.
London AILs: watch this space One of the highly informative talks was delivered by Rik Wenham, head of the Metropolitan Police’s commercial vehicle unit. It is Rik and his team that oversee the movement of abnormal indivisible loads (AILs) – such as mobile cranes – in and out and around London. Rik outlined many of the unfair anomalies surrounding the treatment of AILs over other forms of transport – for instance, how many pedestrians and cyclists are killed by buses every year, compared to fatalities caused by cranes (answer: loads vs. none). It is his view that, in the modern transport and traffic context, the existing restrictions are not only obsolete, but unnecessary and he has a proposal in with the top brass to scrap them entirely.
CPN will be spending a day with Rik and his team shortly, so watch this space…
For more information on the GGR Group, WWW.RDR.LINK/CBC014
