When a challenging project came across Andrew Whyte’s desk, he knew he needed to think outside the box in terms of the equipment that would deliver the desired outcomes.
In 2014 managing director of Andrews Crane Hire, Andrew Whyte, saw an opportunity to enter the crane sector and took the leap with his wife Emma.
When he decided to go it alone, Andrew had to establish a specialty service – identifying a gap in project work with a focus on oil and gas.
Working with companies such as VIVA Energy and Shannon Group, the company needed the right cranes to tackle the challenges that came its way.
“We purchased a 20t and a 25 tonne capacity Franna which are complemented by a couple of boom lifts and scissor lifts along with a Liebherr all-terrain, and we recently brought a Maeda MC285C-3 and a tracked carrier on board,” he said.
“Whilst our equipment is pivotal, we understand the importance of our team. We have a permanent crew, our longest serving team member started with us eight years ago, roughly nine months after the business started, and the shortest is five years – we have great loyalty from our team,” he says.
“I am often out operating cranes and quoting jobs and last year, I visited a project that was going to have a range of challenges including access.
“We approached Pace Cranes and enquired about the tracked carrier for this project and pulled the trigger on ordering it back in November.
“(We) then quickly came to the conclusion we needed a Maeda and after carefully weighing up our options we settled on the MC285C-3,” Andrew said.
The Maeda MC285C-3 has a capacity of 2.82t working at a distance of 1.4 metres, with a maximum radius of 8.2 metres and a maximum lifting height of 8.7 metres, giving it the dexterity needed for the project.
The MC285C-3 comes with multi angle position outriggers making it ideal for applications with tight space tolerances.
The frame of MC285C-3 is slight and compact when in position and comes with an array of added safety features including tilt alarms, working status lamps and a data logger offering the safest working environment.
The Maeda has the ability to fit through tight doorways with a width of only 750 millimetres. The model also includes a slew angle limit setting, an 18cm display, HBC radio remote control and detachable electric motor.
The Yanmar diesel engine meets requirements for the new gas emission standards of EU Stage V.
The track carrier from Pace Cranes offers an unrivalled method of transporting heavy goods through confined spaces. Coming in at only 950mm wide, the 2200 R and 2200 PRO models are heavyweights in compact packaging.
The Pro model purchased by Andrews Crane Hire offers new features such as gradient- monitoring, information feedback and a smart auxiliary output, ideal when increased safety measures are required or powered attachments make the job easier.
Andrew explains how the two new additions will be used by the team.
“The carrier is going to be used alongside the Maeda dismantling a pipeline, the Maeda will transfer the pipe onto the carrier and they will move and relocate it together,” Andrew said.
“The Maeda was the perfect solution for us on site, it is easily moveable and has great capacity, I don’t think anything else could complete this work,” he said.
The modern technology available on both the Maeda and the tracked carrier create a number of benefits for the team at Andrews Crane Hire.
“Both the machines are remote controlled and particularly with the Maeda that is a game changer, it gives the operator an incredible vantage point whilst operating the crane and his visibility is seriously improved when working in confined spaces,” Andrew said.
“The Maeda has the multipoint outriggers as well, which is an excellent feature for this project as the outriggers need to be in various positions throughout.
“The 2200 Pro tracked carrier is good for 2.2 tonnes which is actually really impressive,” he said.
“When we purchased the tracked carrier, they didn’t have one in stock so we trusted the Pace Cranes team when it came to its capacities and understanding how we could use it.
“We could only view a smaller model but since the tracked carrier arrived, we have been impressed by how robust it is,” Andrew said.
Andrew and the team has been incredibly impressed by the support provided by Pace Cranes as he explains.
“Obviously we asked a lot of questions before bringing both of the products on board, every question was answered, and every concern alleviated,” he said.
“We purchased a lot of new technology like the remotes which we had never worked with before and Pace Cranes took the time to walk us through it and explain each part to us,” Andrew said.
With the arrival of each piece of new machinery it is an exciting time for the company as it moves forward.
“We go out to each site when we are approached for a project before taking it on board. The Maeda and the tracked carrier are going to give us so many more options now,” said Andrew.