With 36m of swing-away jib (as fitted to the HMC crane), a height under hook of 98m and reach of 82m can be achieved.The swing-away jib fitted to the Huntingdale machine has a hydraulic offset feature that allows infinitely variable offset between zero and 45 degrees and incorporates a 5.3m erection jib that is cost-effective, as it only requires a set of sheaves to operate independently as a short, heavy-lift jib.Other innovations include disc brakes and active rear (electrohydraulic) steering that allows a number of different steering modes to reduce tyre wear. With all wheels steering, the third axle does not have to be lifted for crab steer.For Huntingdale Cranes, HMC’s wet-hire division, the combination of the new LTM 1200-5.1 and the existing 300t LTM 1300-1 bought in late 2006 provides the company with excellent heavy-lifting capabilities that are complemented by its broad range of smaller cranes.The reach and capacity of these cranes make them a valuable asset for work in petrochemical facilities – a significant part of the HMC client base. Bridge-beam lifts and precast erection are other areas being targeted.HMC’s Franna fleet has grown from a single unit three years ago to 25 cranes, and much of this growth is due to astute anticipation of the demand for Frannas and an excellent network of contacts to source good, used cranes when new machines became difficult to obtain.The HMC crane fleet now has a core of Liebherr all terrain cranes, Tadano truck cranes and Frannas, although it does also include rough terrain cranes, city cranes, mini crawler cranes and telescopic handlers.While the HMC Sales & Service division was initially set up to dispose of older cranes in the Huntingdale fleet and acquire used machines from overseas, it has also been successful at procuring equipment for external sale, with 22 machines being sold in two years.A new division, Transcrane, was opened to provide internal and external transport services primarily focused on carrying counterweight and rigging. The semi trailers are complemented by an 8×4 DAF truck fitted with a sliding tilt tray and Fassi truck-loading crane. While there was a temptation to acquire trailers tailored for counterweight transport, HMC opted to go with the versatile flat-bed trailers which are able to carry other cargoes should the need arise.The HMC fleet is now up to 60 machines – a far cry from the 11 machines that Keith Kelton and Ron Atkins acquired when they bought the business in 2005 – but the growth is far from over, and the pair have not ruled out further purchases of large mobile cranes.
