Following a significant investment in additional capabilities and lifting capacity, Melbourne’s Skylift Crane Services recently took delivery of a new Grove GMK6450-1 all terrain.
Husband and wife team David and Eleonora Bresnehan have been operating the family-run and owned business since 1997.
As with almost every story about family-run crane hire businesses, Skylift Cranes Services had humble beginnings. David is a boilermaker/welder by trade and had been working with mobile cranes as a crane operator and rigger for 10 years. Eleonora has a background in banking and finance, and with the help of Robert Sergi from Sergi Cranes, they launched Skylift Cranes with a 50 tonne capacity Kato.
Today, David and Eleonora view Skylift Cranes as a medium-sized enterprise operating over 25 cranes and boasting 45 employees. The crane fleet includes 2.5t to 4t crawlers, Bubble cranes, Frannas from 15t to 40t, truck mounted cranes and all terrains with capacities starting at 35t and up to the new 450t capacity Grove. The crane fleet is supported by a number of Volvo prime movers and a variety of trailers, including a float.
The fleet has grown to suit the evolution of the business said Dave.
“We started out by specialising in erecting precast concrete panels, but as other business opportunities presented, we moved the business more into the general crane hire space. We now service a broad range of clients, and the scope of works is considerable. We work with Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 builders, we have excellent relationships with the entertainment industry whilst providing lifting services to sporting, landscaping and marine industries as well as installing pools and spas for mums and dads,” said Dave.
Skylift Cranes has been operating Grove all terrains for 18 plus years.
“We purchased our first new Grove over 18 years ago and it has proved to be a really reliable crane. It has also been backed by excellent aftermarket support from the team at Grove and also JDM Services, including owners and directors, Kreston and John Mahoney who help support the brand in Victoria. The service is reliable, supportive and very responsive when it needs to be,” said Dave.
When it came to the purchase of the Grove GMK6450-1 Skylift Cranes worked with Richard Swaine, ANZ Sales Manager – Mobile Cranes Manitowoc Cranes Australia.
“Richard is always well informed and kept us posted throughout the sales process and provided a first class service. Purchasing the Grove GMK6450-1 was a big step for us and fits our strategy for the business perfectly,” said Dave.
The Grove GMK6450-1 is an upgrade of the Grove GMK6400-1 model carrying an increased maximum capacity rating of 450 tonnes, 50 tonne more than the previous model.
The addition of the MAXbase™ variable outrigger positioning system on the GMK6400-1 in 2021 allowed customers to further capitalise on the all terrain crane’s strong performance. This feature allows the use of asymmetrical outrigger setups and results in enhanced load charts. In addition, MAXbase can be used in conjunction with the capacity-increasing MegaWingLift™. The self-rigging attachment can be deployed in less than 20 minutes and does not require an assist crane. MAXbase increases lifting capacity by up to 70 per cent on the main boom and by up to 400 per cent when using the luffing jib. These enhancements led to customer requests to rename the crane.
The Grove GMK6450-1 offers segment-leading lifting capabilities and has been used on projects in place of seven-axle – or even eight-axle – all terrain cranes. For example, it can lift 8.9 tonnes between 38 metre and 50 metre radii when working with its full boom and jib system length of 136m. When working with 120m of boom and jib, the crane handles an impressive 12.8t at distances between 36m and 52m. Furthermore, the GMK6450-1 is particularly well suited to wind power projects that require flexible set-up distances to the turbine and the ability to lift heavy loads at steep vertical angles. It can lift in wind speeds of up to nine metres per second with its 79m luffing jib.
The Grove GMK6450-1 also offers the exciting Grove CONNECT digital platform that provides owners with real-time access to fleet data. Through Grove CONNECT, fleet managers can get instant insights into the crane’s performance with just a couple of taps on a screen. Service technicians are supported with remote, optimised troubleshooting, reducing the frequency of onsite trips and strengthening preventative maintenance programs.
The digital platform enables remote monitoring through an app-based system, providing owners and operators with the ability to view real-time crane information. The versatile platform, working across smartphones, tablets and laptops, advances fleet management, boosts sustainability, streamlines service and maintenance for users and improves connectivity to cranes.
Skylift operates an experienced team focused on customer service.
“As a family business, customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we have clients that have been with us for over 20 years,” said Dave. “An essential element of working at Skylift Cranes, is a ‘can-do’ attitude. Every team member is focused on maintaining a great working relationship with our clients and providing the best and safest solutions for their requirements.
“We have a number of team members who have been working with us for over 20 years with the majority with us for between five to 10 years. Jye Drysdale, our Chief Operating Officer, has been with us for over 10 years and to a degree, the purchase of the new Grove has been designed to back him in a new Comansa tower crane venture.
“We work together with all of our employees ensuring a positive work environment where success is achieved and celebrated. It is our intention that our clients are delivered a service way beyond their expectations. This approach is similar to the way Richard and the team at Grove approaches us, and our experience with them is beyond expectations and ongoing.”