Dale Shillabeer opened the doors of Shillabeer Crane Hire on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula in 2005. Back then, the young company owned a single 12-tonne Franna pick-and-carry crane.
“We started in 2005 with a 12-tonne Franna and just expanded from there,” Dale said, reflecting on the steady growth that has led to a modern fleet that now includes five Frannas, slewing cranes up to 100 tonnes, crane trucks and support vehicles.
That journey has just come full circle. For the first time, Shillabeer Crane Hire has taken delivery of a brand-new Franna – a MAC25-5. The investment was driven by a mix of regulatory change, upcoming project demands and Dale’s long-standing confidence in the Franna badge.
The keys to the brand-new crane were presented by Ginta Val, Franna’s newly appointed Sales Manager, who was performing her very first hand-over since stepping into the role. “Nothing beats the feeling of a first-time experience. Selling my first crane was a rollercoaster – lots of back and forth, and then finally getting the call to confirm the order while driving to work. The delivery went smoothly thanks to a great trainer and a welcoming customer,” said Ginta.
Ginta worked closely with Dale throughout the process, taking the time to understand his operational needs and ensuring the crane configuration met the specific requirements of the business. Her attentive approach and professionalism helped build a strong working relationship with Dale.
Dale’s border collie Leia made the ceremony even more special with her charming presence.
Compliance first
Shillabeer’s newest contract is the Acciona desalination plant, a project that mandates the latest safety technology. “The latest regulations require these dynamic load indicators on site,” Dale said. “The new Franna meets all the compliance we need for that job coming up.”
Franna’s Dynamic LMI – a patented real-time load-management system – continuously calculates rated capacity by factoring in boom length, articulation, pitch and roll. Operators no longer need to apply manual deration for side-slope work. The screen shows a live percentage utilisation of capacity, adding an extra layer of assurance on the undulating terrain typical of coastal infrastructure builds.
A machine built for versatility
At its core, the Franna MAC25-5 lifts 25 tonnes, but an optional SuperLift (SL) kit adds a low-slung counterweight, boosting capacity by up to 30 per cent in selected configurations – ideal for modular desalination plant components that have become heavier and complex. Other key hardware includes:
• Powertrain: Mercedes Benz OM936 six-cylinder, uprated to 210 kilowatt (kW) and emission compliant to European Stage V and USA EPA Tier 4F standards.
• Steering and boom: Faster response for precision placement; improved hydraulic circuit minimises cycle times.
• Safety radar LMI: Shows a live view of the crane’s safe working zone, instantly factoring in pitch, roll, boom extension and articulation –removing the guesswork from every move.
• Serviceability: Rear-body redesign with relocated isolators, larger batteries and Anti-lock Braking System for Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliance.
All said, the Franna MAC25-5 retains the roadability that has made Franna a staple across regional Australia while packing enough technology to satisfy metro-grade safety audits.
A relationship forged over decades
For Dale, the decision to stay loyal to the brand was easy. “I’ve been involved with Frannas for 30-odd years – first fixing them as a mechanic, now operating them. When you find something that’s good, you stick to it,” he said. “In the right hands a Franna is an amazing machine.”
That hands-on expertise influences training, too. “All our drivers hold VOCs (Verification of Competency), but most of the learning is on the job – we’re a small crew, so we keep an eye on everyone and know their capabilities,” Dale said.
Right crane, right time
Availability sealed the deal. Supply-chain bottlenecks have pushed lead times for new pick-and-carry cranes past 12 months, yet Dale struck lucky. “I rang up out of the blue; they had one available, so I took it,” he said. “It only took a few months to get here – pretty unusual compared with the year-long wait you would expect.”
That swift delivery means the Franna MAC25-5 will enter service as soon as the desalination project breaks ground.
The newcomer slots into a line-up that already features Tadano slewing cranes at 60 tonne and 100 tonne, plus multiple older-generation Frannas covering routine agricultural, marine and residential lifts across Port Lincoln, Ceduna and the wider Eyre Peninsula. The new Franna MAC25-5 will shoulder mid-range duties – transporting precast pipe racks, positioning process skids and handling plant maintenance picks that demand both reach and manoeuvrability inside congested yards.
Looking ahead
Shillabeer Crane Hire has grown from one crane to a diversified fleet by responding to local industry needs. The Franna MAC25-5 purchase shows the same pragmatism: stay ahead of regulation, deliver safely, and choose kit that operators trust.
“You buy one crane and you want another,” Dale said, half-serious about the expansion bug that grips many regional crane contractors.
With its new Franna, Shillabeer Crane Hire is positioned to lift heavier, comply faster and keep critical projects on schedule – proof that sometimes the smartest move is to stick with what works, only newer and better.