Cygnus High Risk Solutions specialises in mini cranes and tight access lifting as well as providing experienced crane crews for the Perth construction sector, and in particular steel erection. Business owner Danley Potts explains how he recently invested in a new Maeda MK305CB knuckle boom crane and an Aconda track carrier from Pace Cranes.
Danley started out in the industry by dogging tower cranes in the city.
“I was 19 when I started with Global Integrated and loved what I was doing straight away. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very good at rigging so the business put me in a crane, and I proved to be a much better operator than I am a rigger,” he said. “I then moved into steel erection where I was exposed to mobile cranes. I spent my time moving between those industries until I started Cygnus High Risk Solutions in late 2022 when I purchased my first Maeda. I’ve always been fascinated with mini cranes and their capabilities, they are a fairly unique piece of equipment, and you can get them into places where bigger cranes simply can’t get to.
“I was working on a high raise project, and they had a need for a mini crane and I said I could get one. I ended up buying an early model Maeda MC285 from Hawkesbury Cranes. I had always envisaged running a bigger capacity crane but as soon as I saw the Maeda at work I knew there was plenty of potential work for mini cranes. I’m a bit of a short arse myself, so it totally made sense to me,” said Danley.
Danley is impressed with the new Maeda MK305CB knuckle boom, describing it as a game changer.
“Our MC285 has been busy in the steel erection sector, which has been great, but I truly see the MK305CB as being an absolute game changer. The knuckle boom can get into even more difficult and tighter spots to lift – it really is a unique crane. It is already opening doors in different applications like installing commercial glazing and many other different applications. I’m very excited about its potential,” he said.
The MK305CB features a telescopic boom with a knuckle that folds out from underneath the main boom. The knuckle features a telescoping luffing with a telescoping jib attached. The 12-metre main boom features four falls hook mode as well as a detachable negative angle jib with a maximum height of 16.95 metres. The model also features automatic and stepless multi outrigger settings, variable crawler gauge, diesel/electric and battery electric options, as well as fully proportional radio remote control.
Maeda has designed this model like the other machines in its range and offer a standard diesel engine option, diesel-electric or full battery lithium-powered for those companies wanting a 100 per cent ‘green machine’. The battery-powered option is designed to work a full day, but it has the capability of running from the mains for unlimited working hours.
Danley bought the Maeda with the Searcher Hook option.
“The Searcher Hook is a very clever innovation because it enables you to lift in extremely tight spaces, especially under roof lines. I doubt there is anything else on the market which enables you to get into that kind of limited space. The Searcher Hook, with its narrow slimline feature allows you to really get up tight and close inside or under a roof to lift machinery, or install an air conditioning unit or commercial glazing, anything like that,” he said.
Danley goes on to discuss his relationship with Pace Cranes and Michael Cawston and the team.
“Michael and I first met in Perth when he was here for The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) National Conference and Exhibition. I needed a part for my first Maeda and called Pace Cranes and they said Michael was over from Sydney. He met me and walked me through the equipment on display, and I decided there and then that I was going to buy the knuckle boom and the Aconda track carrier,” said Danley.
“The track carrier complements everything we do with the cranes and eliminates a lot of occupational health and safety issues when it comes to carrying heavy pieces of equipment. The Maeda MK305CB knuckle boom took a little while to get used to because it is so different to a standard telescopic boom. But it is a very intelligent machine and the remote control is a real game changer. It enables you get up close to the crane and see where you are lifting, which gives you a lot more control of the situation. This crane will enable me to really immerse the business in the tight access lifting space, which is where I want to go,” said Danley.
He is also having success with hiring his specialised crews for tight access lifting, as well crane crews.
“This is where my business started. I was presented with the opportunity of running a tower crane, so I brought some guys together and that was the start of it. We’ve now moved into crews specialising in tight access lifting. Our crews are experienced and love what they do which is important to ensure the customer receives the service they are expecting. Under promise and over deliver is how we approach the work,” he said.
“I want to finish by thanking Michael and the team at Pace Cranes. They flew me over to Sydney for the familiarisation of the Maeda and everyone was so welcoming,” cheered Danley.
“They treat you like family and genuinely care that your outcomes with the crane are positive. The icing on the cake was a phone call from Michael to explain he had arranged for my business to appear in Cranes and Lifting magazine.”
“Immediately, I thought there had to be a catch but there wasn’t. Given the performance of the Maedas and the support I have received, I am very happy to be part of the Pace Cranes family and they will have my business forever.”
