As transmission upgrades and renewable energy projects accelerate across Australia, LinCon is positioning itself with a clear strategy: invest in high-reach capability, control its own logistics, and back a stable, specialist workforce.
Tony Fish, responsible for Technical Sales, and Damien Pollock, General Manager, outlined a business that has steadily expanded its footprint, particularly in the 75-metre to 100-metre segment. The company now operates 136 machines nationally, with further units arriving through the year.
A fleet built for height
LinCon’s recent investments reflect the demands of transmission line construction and wind farm development. Multiple 48-metre units have arrived, offering 33 metres of horizontal outreach at 360 degrees. These complement a growing number of 75-metre and 100-metre platforms already working across the country.
“We’re continuing to upgrade the fleet and add new machines,” Tony said. “We aim for around 10 per cent growth each year.
“We direct the 75-metre machines to transmission line work, while renewables projects call for units with a greater reach.”
Damien said that Western Australia was a bit quiet on renewables, but in the past three to four months it’s really kicked into gear. “Transmission projects in the Pilbara are going off as well,” he said.
This spread of work has reinforced LinCon’s decision to maintain a national footprint, with branches in every state except the Northern Territory.
Maintenance teams operate across all states, supported by Palfinger-trained technicians.
Building 100-metre capability
Significant focus has been placed on the continued expansion of LinCon’s 100-metre fleet. Most of these machines are Wumag platforms mounted on Tadano crane carriers, with later models branded under Palfinger following its acquisition of Wumag.
Availability of new carriers has influenced procurement decisions.
LinCon introduced the first 103-metre unit in Australia in 2010. Early uptake was modest, but demand has since grown as customers recognised the advantages of that reach.
“The Wumag 103 metre units were originally built on Tadano crane carriers, but when they were no longer available, we made the decision to meet demand by purchasing second-hand units mounted to the Tadano carrier from other hire companies around the world,” Tony said.
“When they arrive, we carry out a full ten-year major inspection. Units are fully tested prior to disassembly. The booms, outriggers and slew bearing are dismantled for crack testing, and all hoses and cables in both the upper and lower booms are replaced. They roll out of the yard like new.”
LinCon has progressively built this segment, with several second-hand units sourced from Europe and the United States, all refurbishments are completed in-house.
Damien highlighted a project in Cairns where site access was limited.“They needed around 90 metres of reach, but the turns were too tight and the ground too undulating for larger multi-axle machines,” he said. “Our 103 metre on the five-axle all terrain carrier got in there with ease, did the job and we were in and out in a couple of days.”
In New South Wales, 80-metre towers positioned in constrained terrain required additional reach beyond nominal height.
“The pads were small, so the elevated work platform (EWP) had to sit further away from the tower,” Damien said. “The access was out of reach with a 75 or 80-metre platform, so the 100-metre unit went in. We had one on either side of the crossing and worked both sides at the same time.”
Projects such as CopperString and HumeLink are also expected to demand extended reach because of terrain, tower height and pad design.
“Some of those towers are being designed at 90 metres,” Tony said. “If that job goes ahead as planned, they’ll need that extra height.”
Engineering for stability
Working at 100 metres requires careful attention to ground conditions, load distribution and wind.
“All of our 100-metre machines have dedicated pad trucks,” Tony said. “The most important thing is making sure we’re set up properly for all ground conditions we encounter.”
Each machine travels with steel crane pads and support equipment to create a stable working platform. These machines are rated to operate at 12.5 metres per second with wind speed at 103 metres, and up to 17 metres per second at reduced heights.
“As you can imagine, it’s windy when you’re up, around 17 metres per second,” Tony said. “They have been designed for specific areas in Europe to work in those conditions.”
The boom structure itself is substantial. Tony said, “The 100-metre platform is like a 350-tonne boom. It’s doesn’t move around.”
Damien added that while technical specifications define capacity, (as with a crane) disciplined setup and operator judgement remain central to safe operation.
“You can have all the rating in the world, but it comes back to setup, ground preparation and making sure everything is right before you go up,” he said.
Specialist operators
Out of roughly 90 operators across the business, about 12 are currently signed off on 100-metre machines. “They don’t just jump from a 30-metre into a 103-metre,” Damien said. “There’s a training process.”
Operators must first demonstrate sustained proficiency on 75-metre units before being considered for higher platforms. Dedicated trainers, including a national trainer and a South Australia-based trainer, assess both technical competence and mindset.
“Once they show interest and capability, they’ll be assessed in the field,” Damien said. “That can take about a month before they’re signed off.”
Training extends beyond operating at height. Loading and unloading onto floats forms a critical part of competency.
“They have to be fully trained in loading and unloading,” Damien said. “It’s tricky work. They need to know how to handle that safely. We’re always trying to identify operators who want to go that extra 25 or 30 metres in the air.”
Taking control of transport
As reach increases, so too does the complexity of mobilisation. In New South Wales, certain high-reach units cannot be driven on public roads and must be transported.
“Coming in at 60 tonne, it costs a substantial amount to relocate a 103 metre platform using external transport companies. We have chosen to invest in a large float and dolly,” Damien said. “We want the flexibility to move our own equipment.”
A new purpose-built prime mover with a Drake five-axle extendible float and dolly, capable of carrying up to 70 tonnes, is expected to arrive in April.
“It gives us control,” Tony said. “Instead of spending that money moving machines around with someone else, we’ll do it ourselves.”
Beyond internal efficiency, the new transport combination also opens the possibility of external haulage work when capacity allows.
“When it’s not moving our machines, we’ll look to get utilisation by offering the combination out for general hire,” Tony said.
Workshop expansion
LinCon is also expanding its workshop network with a new facility in Toowoomba focused on major rebuilds and structural work. The site will house three fully trained technicians and an apprentice. LinCon’s expectations are to have the rebuilt units leave like new and the new facility will be complementing LinCon’s existing maintenance network.
LinCon’s workshop facilities have been recognised to have a substantial knowledge of the Palfinger product and have been approached to provide support as a sub-agent for Palfinger’s crane division in the Toowoomba region. This collaboration only serves to reinforce LinCon’s technical positioning within the elevated work platform and crane maintenance space.
Damien emphasised that LinCon’s specialist EWP experience differentiates it from competitors.
“We fully support our technicians by supplying international quality training to enable them to specialise in all aspects of EWP’s and cranes where needed,” he said. “A lot of our competitors rely on LinCon for their support also.”
People and culture
While fleet growth is visible, Damien sees the business’s stability as a defining strength.
“Most of the management group has been together for eight, nine or 10 years,” he said. “Tony, along with some of the senior workshop staff have been here more than 20 years.”
The management structure is relatively flat and experienced, reducing hierarchy so the team on the ground can access the decision makers.
Promoting internally and building careers keeps experience in the sector. The Western Australian branch, previously led by a long-serving manager who recently retired, has transitioned to a successor already embedded in the business. Long service is recognised formally, with five, 10 and 15-year milestones marked.
“We buy a lot of those shirts every year,” Damien said. “There are plenty of people here over five, 10 and 15 years.”
Tony believes the nature of the work and continued support contributes to retention.
“If you want to get paid to see Australia, this is the place to be,” he said.
Transmission and wind farm work often involves extended stays in regional locations, working alongside power authorities and construction crews.
“You become part of the framework with them,” Damien said. “They’re down-to-earth people, working out in the bush for long stints. Some really like that type of work.”
At the same time, the business maintains competitive wages and conditions.
“We know we’re right up there in the marketplace,” Damien said. “We look after our people.”
Recruitment challenges
Despite the stability, growth requires recruitment. To maintain utilisation targets, LinCon is seeking approximately 20 additional operators nationally.
“There’s a discrepancy between 90 operators and 136 machines if you want to run at 80 per cent utilisation,” Damien said.
Finding the right people remains challenging and geographic flexibility is often the limiting factor.
“You can find people who can drive trucks and people who can operate EWPs,” Damien said. “But to find people who suit what we do day to day is tougher.
“You might find the right operator, but they don’t want to travel or move interstate.”
In a niche sector where experience, temperament and mobility all matter, recruitment is as much about fit as qualification. “We feel blessed to have team of 90 dedicated operators,” Damien said.
Looking ahead
LinCon continues to assess further acquisitions, including a potential 90-metre unit. However, axle configurations and road compliance vary between states which present hurdles.
“I’m talking to NHVR (National Heavy Vehicle Regulator) to work out how we can get it on the road,” Tony said. “Whether it’s a period permit or single-trip permit, that’s what we’re working through.”
At the same time, the company is reviewing its internal structure to ensure management capacity keeps pace with fleet growth.
“We’re looking at placing people in strategic roles around the country to support the team as we expand,” Damien said.
For LinCon, the path forward is defined less by rapid change and more by deliberate expansion: adding reach where projects demand it, strengthening internal capability and retaining a workforce comfortable with long stints in remote Australia.
With transmission corridors expanding, wind farms rising and infrastructure stretching across varied terrain, the need for high-reach, specialist access solutions is only increasing.
LinCon’s strategy suggests it intends to remain firmly in that space – higher, further and with its own transport to get there.
