Mining and infrastructure projects are demanding bigger and safer lifts. Queensland-based Lee Crane Hire has turned to Zoomlion’s heavy-lift line-up to meet that demand. Managing Director Dan Story explains why the manufacturer’s new machines are proving their worth in Central Queensland.
Lee Crane Hire (LCH) has grown into a trusted provider of specialised cranage and haulage across mining, power, infrastructure, and construction. The company’s work ranges from general crane hire and long-term site maintenance to short- and long-term projects, with a particular focus on heavy lifting and major shutdowns.
Dan described LCH as a family-owned and operated business with a culture that blends local and non-local staff. “LCH offers flexible working arrangements that will suit anyone in the industry,” he said.
“We have a successful, like-minded, long-term management team, and while larger than the publicly listed companies in Central Queensland, LCH maintains its small business feel. Everyone here feels responsible for its success, the staff know what they need to do to be the best, and they take pride in doing it for us, and themselves.”
Choosing Zoomlion and Nationwide Machinery Group
When it came time to expand the fleet, LCH looked closely at Zoomlion. Dan said the brand had lifted its game in recent years.
“Zoomlion, in our opinion, has been producing products equally comparable to other manufacturers in the industry. Product support, development, customisation, and communication has actually been far superior,” he said.
He said that established manufacturers didn’t have a comparable product in this capacity. That made the 350-tonne telescopic crawler a clear choice for LCH’s operations in Central Queensland.
The 350-tonne advantage
The arrival of the Zoomlion ZCT3500V843 has already made a strong impact.
“It outlifts and outperforms our current 220 tonne telescopic crawlers, significantly,” Dan said. “The 350 tonne is almost necessary now as the mining industry develops and the safety factors for lifting are increased. It has gone straight to our projects division to complete major shutdowns on draglines and shovels.”
The ZCT3500V843 is one of the world’s largest telescopic boom crawler cranes capable of working without outriggers. It offers a maximum lifting moment of 1130 tonne-metre and can handle ultra-high voltage tower erection up to 110 metres and bridge lifts up to 200 tonnes. Compact transport dimensions, multiple crawler width configurations, and remote-controlled self-assembly add to its versatility on site.
Expanding further
LCH is not stopping at the 350-tonne model. A 400-tonne Zoomlion crawler crane is on the way. Dan said, “We intend to modify the 350 tonne tele crawler with a shorter boom and variable counterweight configuration to give us an increased lifting capacity. This is sure to give us a clear edge when providing cranage to Central Queensland.”
Experience, support, and simplicity
Before committing to a purchase, LCH hired a 350-tonne telescopic crawler through Nationwide Machinery Group hire division. That trial helped cement the decision. “It was the product support, development, customisation, and communication,” Dan said. “The simplicity and practicality for operators also needs to be noted.”
Seeing the factory first-hand
Dan’s visit to Zoomlion’s factory in China, invited by Nationwide, reinforced his confidence in the brand. “Zoomlion isn’t a large factory of workers,” he said. “It’s full of high-tech machines and AI (artificial intelligence) monitored production lines, thousands of machines built and ready for delivery, spread across what could only be described as a small city. It has to be seen to be comprehended, we surely don’t have anything like that in Australia.”
Nationwide’s vital role
Nationwide Machinery Group has been instrumental in LCH’s adoption of Zoomlion. “They have been with us every step of the way, without them, it wouldn’t have been an option,” Dan said. “The whole team goes above and beyond. They are a vital link between LCH and Zoomlion themselves. Nationwide play a crucial role in Zoomlion’s success in Australia, and Zoomlion has done well to recognise that.”
Looking to the future he said, “They will be industry leaders, at the rate they are going. They are making strides, constantly developing and improving.”