All Over Rigging (AOR) is a second-generation family business based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. After five years of extensive service and through The Baden Davis Crane Connection, they recently traded in the first TIDD PC28 to arrive in Australia for a TIDD PC28-2.
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AOR’s first experience with the TIDD Pick and Carry dates to the MK1 model from TRT. Back in 2017, AOR was operating a different brand of articulated Pick and Carry Crane until it broke down. AOR’s Barry Casey takes up the story.
“I took it to The Baden Davis Crane Connection to have it fixed and Anthony loaned us one of the MK 1 TIDDs whilst the other machine was being repaired. We had that for about a month, and we were quite impressed with the way it operated but felt it was a little under powered for what we required,” he said.
“A couple of years later, Anthony mentioned that TRT had been working on a new version of the TIDD and he thought it might be of interest. We were invited to visit the TRT facility in New Zealand and meet the team behind the new TIDD model PC28,” he said.
“The whole experience was so refreshing. We walked through the manufacturing facilities where everyone on the production floor greeted us with a smile, it was obvious they were really into their work. The senior management team couldn’t have been more welcoming and had all the time in the world for us,” said Barry.
“The design and engineering team was genuinely interested in our feedback on the new machine, asked how our experience had been with the previous model and wanted to know what we thought could be done to improve the new model. I was so impressed, I put my name down for the first unit there and then,” he said.
Barry and his wife Sharon are still very much involved in the business, but they have encouraged children Kyle and Tiarne to take on more active roles. Tiarne has been working with the family for about a year and a half, taking on the role of Operations and Safety Manager. She had this to say about the performance of the TIDD PC28.
“We’ve been operating the PC28 for five years and in that time, it has clocked up 6,200 hours. It has been a fantastic crane and TRT are truly innovative with their technology and safety systems they engineer into their products. Even though it had done so many hours it has held its value, and we are definitely very happy with the trade-in value,” she said.
“We find the TIDD product one of the safest on the market, it is fitted with extensive technology to stop tipping and over lifting. We never want any of our crew to be in a dangerous position while at work and this crane helps to keep them out of danger. On top of that it has impressive lifting capacity for a moderately sized crane.“Our operators appreciate the enhanced safety features of the TIDD Pick and Carry, which set them apart from other cranes.
Image: Prime Creative Media
Marty, who has been driving TIDD cranes for over five years, particularly highlights their road friendliness and ease of driving, noting that it feels like driving a car,” said Tiarne.
She goes on to explain why AOR decided to continue the relationship with TIDD and The Crane Connection.
“We were very impressed with the first version of the TIDD PC28 and the way TRT focused on innovative technology and safety, thus we were eager to keep our fleet new whilst getting to experience the PC28-2 crane and the enhancements that have been made. So far, it has been performing as expected, it has been out on site with general and straightforward lifts and has been proving itself well,” said Tiarne.
AOR’s TIDD PC28-2 is one of the last to be manufactured by TRT, having been replaced by the TIDD PC28-3G.
Using the highest quality components, prioritising safety and performance throughout its design and class-leading features including the Euro 6 Cummins Engine, the highest emission control diesel engine available with significantly more horsepower, the TIDD PC28-3G is proving to be extremely popular in the market.
The new TIDD PC28-3G features the Cummins ISB6.7 Euro 6 on road engine.
This is a deliberate step by TRT, because Euro 6 will be the new Australian Design Rule (ADR) in November 2025. The shift to Cummins was due to its after-sales service and support throughout Australia.
Having moved on from its previous standard Mercedes package, the Cummins engine generates an extra 46 units of horsepower (34 kW), which is a considerable amount of difference in terms of operation.
Slew Safe is a key safety feature and has featured in TIDDs from the beginning. The feature, developed and patented by TRT, serves as a significant standard for safety.
It is specifically designed to assist operators in preventing rollovers. This preventative tool functions by alerting the operator when they are slewing in an unsafe direction, prompting them to slew back towards safety.
This ensures a clear understanding of the operator’s role in maintaining safety standards. The feedback from TIDD customers on the PC28-3G, especially from Tier One builders, has been excellent.
TRT has always been big on braking systems and when the PC25 was first designed it featured ABS brakes. ABS has just come in as a requirement for ADR compliance.
When TRT began redesigning to comply with the new ADR emission standards, the design team assessed areas for improvement.
It focused intensely on the exhaust brake system and decided to switch to a retarder.
It is very similar to the technology used in a lot of heavy equipment, like large all terrains, and the Allison Transmission with retarder makes for a vast improvement.
“We have noticed several marked differences between the new TIDD and the old model. The new controller has switched from a toggle to a dial on the joystick, which is a nice improvement.
The override system is fantastic; it critically prevents the crane from lifting more than safely possible. Additionally, small details like better air conditioning, ergonomically improved dash and a tighter crane design make a big difference in overall comfort and usability,” said Tiarne.
Image: AOR
The relationship with The Crane Connection goes back 20 plus years, explains Tiarne.
“We have developed a relationship with Anthony and Ben across 20+ years and the reason for that is they are great people. They deliver the kind of ‘Top Tier Service’ that makes you feel as though you are dealing with a longtime friend. The sales process with Anthony is straightforward and simple and there are no complicating factors, and we are kept in the loop throughout the process.
Tiarne enjoys working in the family business.
“As I said earlier, I’ve been with the business for 18 months and I’m now in the role of Operations and Safety Manager as well wearing many other hats due to the nature of a family business. Each day is uniquely different.
“AOR Cranes has been operating for over 30 years, we have a fleet of 15 cranes including mobile and tower cranes. We operate in Sydney and Greater Sydney and our point of difference sits with us being a family run business and residing in the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
“However, we believe our biggest difference is our team. We are extremely proud of the operators and dogmen we have working with us; they show up every day and leave our clients happy with the personable and friendly experience,” said Tiarne.
“My brother, Kyle, began working with my parents around 8 years ago. He changed careers from a builder to cranes beginning as a dogman. He then progressed to operating cranes and eventually to his role now, as Supervisor. He has fantastic relationships with our clients, a keen eye for detail and a profound knowledge of our cranes and their capabilities,” she said.
“My father and my mother have been running this business for over 30 years, and throughout that time, AOR has evolved and changed with them. Dad has always been a hands-on leader, a trait that’s hard for him to let go. He still can’t resist getting involved—whether it’s fixing a crane or engaging with clients in the field.
“However, with my brother and me taking on more and more responsibility, he’s able to step back and enjoy life more. He now spends his downtime restoring cars and tinkering with motorbikes in his garage,” she said.
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