Allen Crane Hire has expanded its fleet with a new Tadano AC 4.100L-1 all terrain crane, marking the company’s third new Tadano model to go into service this year.
The Irish business, based in Tinode, Blessington, has relied on Tadano – and previously Demag – for many years. Robbie Allen said the brand remains the company’s choice for “reliability, quality, and service.” The new AC 4.100L-1 follows the recent additions of the AC 6.300-1 and AC 5.220L-1.
Robbie said the 80-metre main boom on the AC 6.300-1 has been especially valuable, as it can handle “at least 90 percent of all tower cranes used in Ireland,” which is the company’s core work.
The new AC 4.100L-1 has been delivered with special significance. “Our new AC 4.100L-1 will first and foremost be for my daughter Sophie. But to tell you the truth, when I take a look at it, I’m pretty tempted to take it out for a spin myself,”
Robbie said as he collected the crane from Tadano Ireland’s Anthony Mullin and Ed Taylor.
A rising talent
Sophie Allen, 22, is one of the youngest female crane operators in Ireland and has been CSCS-certified since 2022. She has already worked on a wide range of tower cranes, including luffing jib models, as well as crawler cranes.
Anthony Mullin said he was highly impressed during her training. “I’ve been in this profession for almost 30 years, and Sophie’s the first female crane operator I’ve briefed. And let me tell you, I was really impressed – she’s confident, incredibly skilled in operating cranes, and a true expert at load calculations and load-securing techniques – just an absolute generational talent,” he said.
He added that he hopes Sophie’s progress will encourage more women to join the industry.
Sophie also spoke warmly of the support she has received. “Tony is an expert through and through and takes the time to share his vast knowledge with palpable excitement,” she said, thanking him along with Graham Lawlor, Colin Fitzsimons and the Allen Cranes team for her training.
Investing in people and equipment
Robbie said the company’s strong position comes from investing in both modern cranes and skilled operators. “In the past few years, we’ve invested massively in tower cranes with top-of-the-line quality and reliability so that we can provide our customers with the results they deserve. Combining that with the best crane operators out there, has been the key to our success and what has enabled us to be in the incredibly strong position in which we find ourselves today,” he said.
Robbie said Tadano cranes continue to play an important role in that strategy.