Drive through Melbourne and you’ve likely passed under a bridge, through a tunnel, or near a crane where Dynamic Rigging Hire played a critical role.
“We’ve touched almost every major project in Victoria,” said Ross Johnson, Manager at Dynamic Rigging Hire. “Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel, North East Link – you name it, our gear’s probably been on it.”
Over the past decade, Dynamic Rigging Hire has quietly become a mainstay of Victoria’s infrastructure landscape, supplying the lifting and rigging equipment that supports some of the country’s most complex construction and engineering challenges. Its gear helps weigh tunnel boring machine cutter heads, lift modular bridges, rig oversized transformers, and everything in between.
And it’s not just the big end of town. “We deal directly with some of the biggest players in the industry, but we also work with the smallest crane yards in Melbourne – the ones with two cranes and a ute. And I’ll tell you what, it’s those smaller guys who walk in with a box of beer or a bottle of Bundy to say thanks. That kind of appreciation sticks with you,” Ross said.
A specialist in a crowded field
While many rental companies dabble in everything from scaffolding to jackhammers, Dynamic Rigging Hire has stayed true to the essentials of heavy lifting and rigging.
Headquartered in Melbourne, Dynamic Rigging Hire offers a specialist hire service that includes spreader beams, lifting beams, precast and ducting cages, air hoists, winches, load cells, chain blocks, and custom test weights. Its clients range from construction giants to marine operators and heavy transport firms.
Whether you need equipment for a day, a month, or a year, Dynamic Rigging Hire is structured to supply and support.
“At Dynamic Rigging Hire, we stick to what we know best– lifting and rigging. It’s our specialty, and that focus allows us to deliver quality products and services to every client, no matter the size of their project. That consistency is what sets us apart,” Ross said.
The workshop team is led by Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) trained staff and all equipment leaving the yard is thoroughly inspected and certified. This level of focus extends to the design of equipment. Dynamic Rigging Hire works closely with Maxirig, a Geelong-based fabricator, to produce custom lifting gear. “We’ve got a four-point spreader beam that’s one of a kind in Australia,” Ross said. “It folds in like two parallel beams hinged in the middle.”
Bridging the gap
Attention to detail is crucial for Dynamic Rigging Hire’s more technical work, such as weighing large, high-value assets.
In early 2024, the company was called in to weigh a massive transformer manufactured in Melbourne ahead of a heavy haulage operation to Queensland.
Using four 150-tonne (t) compression load cells connected to a digital display system, Dynamic Rigging Hire confirmed the transformer’s final weight at 167.59t. That precise reading formed the basis for final permits and transport calculations.
“We’ve weighed everything from tunnel boring machine heads to modular buildings and precast bridge segments,” Ross said. “Not many others in this space can handle that kind of job.”
In fact, one of his proudest moments came during work on the North East Link, where Dynamic Rigging Hire’s technicians weighed the cutter head of a tunnel boring machine – a massive piece of equipment pushing over 370 tonne. “That’s a specialist service,” he notes. “You can’t eyeball that and hope it’s accurate. You need the right tools.”
Smarter load testing
Another standout project was the load test of a 130 tonne overhead crane in regional New South Wales. Dynamic Rigging Hire supplied all the required load testing gear – including a combination of steel test weights and water load bags – and sent an experienced technician to manage the rigging on-site.
Water load bags offered a clever solution to the site’s headroom restrictions and drastically cut freight needs.
“One rigid tray truck delivered everything we needed,” said Ross. “If we’d used steel alone, we’d have needed seven semi-trailers. The environmental and cost advantages are obvious.”
It’s this kind of ingenuity that sets Dynamic Rigging Hire apart – not just the equipment, but how it’s applied.
From workshop to worksite
Step inside Dynamic Rigging Hire’s Melbourne yard and you’ll see what Ross casually refers to as “a shed the size of Bunnings.” Packed with lifting equipment, it reflects years of steady investment.
“We’ve got so much gear now, you almost forget what you have,” he laughs. “But every piece has a purpose.”
And for Ross, that gear isn’t just steel and shackles – it’s personal. “I used to drive my kids around the city and point at bridges, stations, tunnels – places where our stuff made the lift happen. They got sick of it pretty quickly. But for me? I see those projects as chapters in our story.”
That story isn’t confined to Victoria. Dynamic Rigging Hire is now turning its attention to Perth and other growing markets.
“Over in WA, we’re building our brand. It’s about showing people what we’ve already proven locally.”
For Ross and the Dynamic Rigging Hire team, what sets them apart isn’t just gear – it’s how they treat customers.
“We’ve always said it doesn’t matter if you’re running a tier-one infrastructure project or you’re an independent operator – we give you the same level of service. That consistency is why people come back.” It’s a small gesture, but one rooted in Dynamic Rigging Hire’s practical, customer-first culture.