Soldier Tower Cranes backs Zoomlion’s L500 luffer with one of the world’s first 65-metre jibs.
Soldier Tower Cranes began appearing across Sydney’s skyline in 2017. Since then the company has quickly built a reputation for targeting larger projects while maintaining a flexible model that appeals to Tier 2 and Tier 3 builders.
Paymaan Shahrokhey, Director of Soldier Tower Cranes, started his career as a crane operator before moving into labour hire. “I used to be a crane operator myself and then I started on the labour hire side of things,” he said. “We worked with smaller builders and focused on crane operators and riggers.”
Over time, Paymaan saw a gap in the market. While many labour hire businesses supplied crews, they did not own cranes. At the same time, the smaller end of the crane market was heavily saturated. “I thought I’d focus more on the bigger side of the market and provide the big cranes with experienced crane crews,” he said.
Today, Soldier provides a full package on site, including crane crews, traffic control, hoist operators and labour. The crane division, however, has become the standout growth engine, driven largely by its partnership with Zoomlion.
A calculated bet on Zoomlion
Paymaan said that when Zoomlion began pushing further into the Australian market, some contractors were cautious about adopting Chinese-manufactured tower cranes.
He took a different view.
“I think a lot of people were hesitant and took a step back,” he said. “I was in the process of securing a large job at Macquarie Park and we needed big cranes. I decided to fly to China and visit the factory. The minute I walked in, I was sold.”
He described Zoomlion’s manufacturing facility as world class and said the level of service and responsiveness stood out.
“Their factory is next level. I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “Their service has been fantastic and the quality has been amazing.”
Crucially, Zoomlion worked closely with Soldier to ensure compliance with Australian standards and to tailor products to local requirements.
“Nothing is a problem for them. If we need something changed to suit the Australian market, they just go ahead and do it,” Paymaan said.
Soldier has since signed a strategic partnership with Zoomlion. The relationship now extends beyond purchases, with Soldier assisting on installs and servicing for other Zoomlion clients on the east coast.
The L500 Luffing Jib
The centrepiece of the partnership is the Zoomlion L500 luffing jib tower crane, currently working on a major redevelopment project in Sydney. According to Paymaan, it is the largest luffing tower crane operating in the city, and one of the most significant units in the country.
The L500 is one of two tower cranes operating at Rozelle Village, located on the former Balmain Leagues Club site in Sydney’s inner west. Delivered by Versatile Construction for PERIFA and Mitsubishi Estate, the mixed-use precinct is now in the vertical construction phase, with both cranes driving the build forward.
The L500 in Soldier’s fleet features a 65-metre jib, making it one of the first of its kind globally to be manufactured in that configuration rather than the standard 60 metres.
“It always came standard with a 60-metre jib,” Paymaan said. “For this job at Rozelle, the builder needed 65 metres. I went back to Zoomlion and told them what we needed. Within two weeks they redesigned and reengineered it.”
In terms of performance, the crane is rated as a 32-tonne luffer, with a 32-tonne maximum lifting capacity. At its full 65-metre jib length, it can lift 4.8 tonnes. The freestanding height is 40 metres, with the current project requiring the crane to be climbed to approximately 74 metres.
Technology and after-sales support
Beyond raw capacity, Paymaan emphasised Zoomlion’s after-sales support as a key differentiator.
“They have every spare part you need already in their Sydney warehouse,” he said. “There are technicians here all the time.”
Before each crane leaves China, Soldier representatives attend factory testing and load trials. Once shipped to Australia, Zoomlion personnel assist during container unloading and commissioning.
Zoomlion’s digital platform, known as Zoomlion Link, also provides real-time data across the fleet. “It uploads every crane we have and gives real-time data on what’s happening,” Paymaan said. “If there’s an issue, you can troubleshoot from the app, grab the part and go straight to site. That means minimal downtime.”
Fleet expansion and market focus
Soldier operates 18 tower cranes, including 10 Zoomlion units, with another 10 cranes scheduled for purchase this year. Among the most popular in the fleet is the Zoomlion L315, a 20-tonne luffer known for its versatility and innovative round RB tower sections.
“There are only four pins in the tower sections,” Paymaan said. “We can put up 50 metres of tower in about an hour and a half. It’s fantastic and very easy to assemble.”
Geographically, Soldier’s main footprint remains Sydney but with expansion plans underway in Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympics, Soldier’s growth trajectory appears steady.
“We like to commit to a handful of good builders and do all of their work,” Paymaan said. “We pick and choose our clients so we can maintain the quality we’re known for.”
For Paymaan, the Zoomlion partnership reflects a broader shift in the market. “We’ve worked together to make everything suit Australia,” he said. “It’s been a big step forward for us and for Zoomlion.”
