General Crane Services WA (GCSWA) has built its reputation on delivering safe, reliable, and innovative lifting solutions across Western Australia.
Known for operating one of the region’s most modern and dependable fleets, the company has taken another significant step forward by introducing the Tadano AC 4.070HL-1 Hybrid.
This 70-tonne hybrid all terrain crane is already demonstrating the same proven performance as its conventional diesel counterpart while offering the additional benefits of quieter, low-emission operation. From early October, it began a 12-month non-process infrastructure (NPI) project at Rio Tinto’s Hope Downs 1 site.
“The introduction of the Tadano hybrid is a clear reflection of our values and commitment to our clients: providing modern, reliable, and future-focused solutions,” said Nick Bucciarelli, GCSWA, Managing Director.
A modern fleet gets greener
General Crane Services WA is recognised for a fleet that combines reliability with cutting-edge technology. Integrating the AC 4.070HL-1 hybrid expands these capabilities, providing clients with greener lifting solutions that align with the sustainability priorities now emerging across all industries.
“Sustainable solutions and innovation are important to us, and partnering with Tadano was an easy choice,” Nick said. “Their 24/7 support and continued close collaboration help minimise downtime, allowing us to better meet our customers’ project expectations and timelines.”
Operator’s perspective: A new era in lifting
For Wayne Mancini, one of GCSWA’s most experienced operators with over 20 years in the industry and six years at GCSWA, the hybrid crane represented something entirely new.
“I’ll be honest, I was a bit sceptical at first,” Wayne admits.
“You get so used to the sound of a diesel engine; it’s part of how you understand the crane’s movements. With the hybrid, it’s so quiet it took a little time to adjust, but once you get used to it, the operation is incredibly smooth; in fact, it’s the smoothest crane I’ve ever operated.”
Wayne soon discovered that the AC 4.070HL-1 wasn’t just about quiet operation, it’s also compact and highly manoeuvrable, making it ideal for tight or constrained job sites.
On-site performance has also impressed Wayne and the team.
“During one install, I ran the crane for three and a half hours straight lifting roofing sheets and still had 20 per cent charge left. Charging on site was no problem. For the type of work we do, I was impressed.”
Wayne also credits Tadano’s technical support team, particularly Russell Currie from Tadano Oceania, for ensuring a smooth introduction of the hybrid into day-to-day operations.
“Russell’s on my speed dial,” Wayne laughs. “With any new technology, there’ll always be a few teething issues, but nothing we couldn’t solve together. A lot of the time it’s just like any electronic device; a quick isolation or restart gets you back up and running.”
What stood out was Tadano’s ability to remotely access live reports from the crane. “They could see the exact error code in real time, which made troubleshooting so efficient. Instead of waiting around, we got the crane back online fast and kept the job moving.”
The hybrid advantage
The Tadano AC 4.070HL-1 combines trusted lifting performance with advanced hybrid technology. Its electrified superstructure, powered by an 800 V, 70 kWh battery, enables zero-emission and near-silent operation for hours at a time. The system can be recharged via grid power or regenerated by the carrier engine, offering flexibility across project sites.
Integrity and commitment
At the heart of GCSWA’s success is a commitment to its core values:
• Safety first – keeping people and projects secure.
• Reliability – a modern fleet backed by meticulous maintenance.
• Innovation – adopting technology that adds real client value.
• Integrity – building trust through honest, transparent relationships.
• Sustainability – ensuring tomorrow’s projects are supported by greener solutions.
The addition of the Tadano hybrid perfectly reflects these commitments. It demonstrates to clients that GCSWA is not only meeting current project demands but is also anticipating future requirements around emissions, noise, and environmental performance.
A partnership built on trust
James Greenwood, Chief Operating Officer of Tadano Oceania, shares:
“GCSWA has been a trusted partner of Tadano for many years. We don’t just see ourselves as a supplier, but as a genuine partner in their ongoing success. Providing advanced lifting solutions like the AC 4.070HL-1, along with round the-clock support, is all part of that commitment.”
On contract for the long haul
Since its arrival, this hybrid crane has proven its value in supporting GCSWA’s operations, with deployments across several sites (mentioned earlier in this article) and several weeks on Fortescue’s transmission powerlines projects.
Its deployment on the Rio Tinto project in October, working alongside a fleet of other cranes, highlights the confidence GCSWA and its clients place in the team’s ability to deliver complex projects efficiently, reliably, and with a strong focus on sustainable lifting solutions.
Stay tuned as GCSWA advances its capabilities to meet the increasing demands of clients in the industry.