Company launches mini cranes in SA

21st November 2014 By: Bruce Montiea - Creamer Media Reporter

Company launches mini cranes in SA

MINI CRANE Maeda mini cranes boast accessibility and compact power

Specialist access platforms rental company Eazi Access Rental introduced the Maeda range of mini cranes to the market in September at mining and industrial trade show Electra Mining Africa Expo.

The Maeda cranes can be used in a multitude of sectors such as steel, construction, mining, rigging and petrochemicals, says Eazi Access Rental key accounts manager Gregory Bloom.

The company is a member of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction.

“This is a revolutionary new range of mini cranes that boasts accessibility and compact power,” he notes, adding that US-based small footprint crawler cranes manufacturer Maeda is an international industry leader in small cranes, with 65% of global market share.

“The introduction of Maeda’s new mini cranes locally has been keenly anticipated because of their ‘pocket power’ features. “They will transform working-at-height solutions in the country, including in the steel construction sector,” adds Bloom.

A common method currently being used to transport smaller and lighter steel to high places is block and tackle, with erectors that hang by lifelines from steel girders. “However, these mini cranes will do away with the need for block and tackle, offering more effective, safer and time- efficient systems. In addition to mini cranes, cherry pickers and scissor lifts should be utilized to help complete the task at hand,” he states.

The Maeda mini crane consists of a 750-mm-wide MC285-2 mini crane, with a maximum capacity of 2 820 kg, a maximum boom height of 8.7 m and a 3 t and 4 t mini crane, with a 500 kg pick-and-carry function also available.

“The key feature of the cranes is their ability to get to and work in places other machinery and bigger cranes cannot. “The MC285-2 can fit through a standard doorway; yet, despite its compact shape, it is powerful enough to manage heavy lifts with ease once it is in place, while retaining excellent manoeuvrability and flexibility,” explains Bloom.

He adds that the cranes can also be used safely on slabs and indoors, with white nonmarking tracks for indoor-specific jobs.

Further, a standard load moment indicator enhances the safety of the cranes, “Safety is a priority for us – hence, Eazi Access Rental’s extensive training of clients’ personnel to ensure that they understand the new machines and their capabilities, and that they are totally familiar with handling them.”

Bloom says Maeda mini cranes come in diesel or electric models. “For the electric model, if the crane is not operated for ten minutes, the electric motor will halve its cycles and, after a further ten minutes of nonoperation, the machine will shut down completely – thus, making the Maeda range very efficient.”

The mini cranes are easy to use and quick to set up and operate, says Bloom. Standard levers on the crane are used to operate the cranes and control their movement and actions. A standard 15 m cabled remote controller is provided for each crane, with the option of a totally wireless remote control solution also available.