UNIC Cranes Europe recently played a pivotal role in the installation of steel beams for a new first-floor store in the Westfield London shopping centre. This complex project, which involved navigating various floor levels and an indoor environment, required a machine that was both lightweight enough to be lifted via goods hoist and powerful enough to handle heavy lifting tasks.
The steel beams, each weighing 405kg and measuring 5m in length, necessitated a machine capable of manoeuvring and safely lifting these loads into place. After conducting a thorough site survey and risk assessment, UNIC’s technical team collaborated with the client to develop a comprehensive lift plan and recommend the most suitable equipment for the job. The client also specified a preference for eco-friendly lifting machinery to minimise emissions during operations.
The UNIC ECO-295 Mini Spider Crane was selected for its electric power source, which effectively eliminates the buildup of fumes in enclosed spaces. To facilitate the unloading of the steel beams, UNIC utilised a 6.26 Stage V Diesel Telehandler, which transported the beams to the waiting Tracked Leveller 2.5. The Telehandler’s Stage V engine offers low fuel consumption, and the battery-powered Tracked Leveller further reduces environmental pollutants. The client’s priority was to minimize CO₂ emissions throughout the project.
After the 2350kg ECO-295 was lifted by the goods hoist, UNIC’s operator carefully manoeuvred it across plywood into the retail unit. Given the restricted access and the precision required for lifting, the ECO-295 proved to be the optimal choice. With four adjustable outriggers, the crane maintained a small working footprint while offering a high lifting capacity, allowing it to fit easily between the unit’s columns. The crane’s radio remote control provided the operator with the necessary visibility for executing the tight lifts, especially considering the steel beams’ 5m length.
During the installation, the lift supervisor guided the crane operator, following the client’s directions for the final positioning of the beams. The crane operator held each beam in place until the client confirmed it was securely fixed. This process was repeated for each beam, requiring the crane to be repositioned multiple times within the unit. Thanks to the crane’s manoeuvrability and straightforward setup of the outriggers, these operations were completed efficiently.
The successful completion of this project was a testament to the excellent teamwork between UNIC’s lift supervisor, crane operator, and the client’s onsite team. The use of the UNIC ECO-295 Mini Spider Crane ensured precision lifting while adhering to the client’s eco-friendly requirements, making it the ideal solution for this challenging indoor installation.
