On a construction site, skilled workers complete specialist projects with the assistance of heavy duty machinery, where these tools allow for the building of complex, hard-wearing structures.
Everything in our towns and cities has been built from the ground up at some stage, where this has only been possible with the assistance of precision tools such as cranes, excavators and forklifts. Before the invention of these tools, lots of building work was carried out by hand, and with much more manual lifting. In contrast, machinery today allows for the speedy completion of large projects all over the world.
In particular, lorry loader cranes are incredibly useful for different kinds of construction work, where these machines can be used to load and unload materials from a lorry bed. Read on to find out more about lorry loader cranes, with a look at how this equipment can be used to facilitate all kinds of building projects.
What Is A Lorry Loader Crane?
Simply put, a lorry loader crane is a vehicle that has a crane arm mounted behind the driver’s cab, where this can be used to move materials on and off the bed or trailer of the truck. This means users can benefit from the combined utility of a lorry trailer and a crane arm.
Lorry loaders come with a variety of unique features which allow them to be used across a range of construction projects. The most notable of these is the crane boom, which is the long arm that is able to lift and offload heavy materials. In addition to this, lorry loaders also come with stabilisers to prevent toppling, as well as a dashboard control panel which allows the operator to move the crane arm as needed.
These machines can be fitted with an array of attachments at the end of the crane arm, allowing the lorry loader to be adapted to suit the requirements of the project at hand. Options include various hooks, forks and augers, where these can assist with the lifting up and offloading of different materials.
How Lorry Loaders Can Be Used For Construction
Due to their unique features and versatile attachments, lorry loaders can be used for a wide range of construction purposes. For smaller projects, the lorry loader crane may be the only piece of heavy machinery that’s needed, whilst for larger projects, they may be required for just one stage of a longer building process.
Some of these applications include:
Material Handling
A key application for lorry loader cranes is the loading and unloading of various materials from the large truck or trailer. The vehicle can both lift and manoeuvre heavy goods in addition to transporting them to a new location, making this a highly useful tool for construction projects.
More specifically, the lorry loader may be used to transport cumbersome materials such as concrete blocks or steel beams, as well as heavy landscaping materials like rocks and timber.
Prefabricated Components
Due to its lifting capabilities, the lorry loader crane can also come in handy for the installation of prefabricated building components. Prefabrication is when part or all of a structure is pre-assembled by the manufacturer, to be delivered to the construction site as a whole piece. The crane arm is ideal for positioning these heavy pieces into place, allowing for precision control and stability during the installation.
All kinds of building parts can be prefabricated, where examples may include steel frameworks for large buildings, pre-bonded sections of brickwork, and modular building units that can be stacked or used as stand alone structures.
Equipment Transportation
Lorry loader cranes are incredibly useful when it comes to delivering machinery and equipment to a construction site. These items can be stored safely in the lorry bed, and then lifted into place by the crane arm, where most lorry loaders are designed to lift extremely heavy loads.
Forklifts, excavators and generators all need to be transported onto a construction site, where the lorry loader can be used to ensure a safe and timely delivery. As well as machinery, a lorry loader crane may also transport specialist equipment such as mixers, drills and scaffolding, ensuring that the construction team have everything they need to get started.
Restricted & Remote Areas
Additionally, lorry loader cranes are incredibly useful when it comes to accessing tight spaces and confined project sites. If there is minimal room for offloading and positioning materials, then a lorry loader is usually preferred to a full sized crane, as this vehicle will be able to get closer to the site in question. The long arm can then be used to ensure materials are in the right place, even if there are access issues and hazards involved.
Initial Site Set-Up
A lorry loader crane may be hired to assist with the site set-up process, before the main schedule of building work begins. In order to carry out construction, the site in question must be prepared with a variety of temporary infrastructure, including scaffolding and storage containers, where a lorry loader can be used to get these in place quickly.
Once this has been achieved, the lorry loader may be kept on site to assist with additional material handling work throughout the project.
Demolition Projects
Not all construction work is about building, where lots of projects centre around demolition and the dismantling of old structures. This usually involves lots of heavy lifting, where abandoned machinery, pieces of technology and appliances will have to be moved off-site for safe disposal.
The lorry loader crane can assist with removing items and sections of infrastructure from elevated areas, where this vehicle can also come in handy for transporting materials away from the demolition site.
The Benefits Of Hiring A Lorry Loader Crane
Whilst it is possible to buy your own lorry loader crane for construction work, it is usually more feasible to hire this kind of vehicle instead. There are several advantages to rental over purchasing outright, where some of these include:
Increased Flexibility - Building projects tend to change and evolve as they progress, where a flexible hire contract will allow you to respond to this unpredictability. This means you can keep your lorry loader for longer if necessary, or you can upgrade to a larger crane according to the demands of your project.
Reduced Costs - Hiring a lorry loader is usually cheaper than purchasing outright, with a range of contracts on offer. When you hire a vehicle, you also don’t have to pay for a long term storage facility, further helping to reduce costs.
Minimal Maintenance - Your hire company will take care of most maintenance issues and safety checks on your behalf, so you won’t have to worry about booking a service or replacing old parts. This will help you to save money and stay on schedule throughout your project.
Operated Machinery - Some hire teams offer an operated machinery hire service, where this means your equipment will come with an experienced driver to ensure that the lorry loader is being used properly. This means you won’t have to spend time training your workers to operate specialist equipment, helping you to complete your project in an efficient and timely manner.
Expert Advice - You may require an expert opinion on which plant hire vehicle is right for your project. When you work with a reputable hire team, you will gain access to this kind of industry expertise, helping you to make informed decisions from start to finish.
Macsalvors: Lorry Loader Cranes For Your Next Project
At Macsalvors, we specialise in lorry loading and crane transportation, helping you to complete your project to the highest standard. Whether you need to offload bulky building materials or manoeuvre sensitive equipment, our vehicles can help you to complete your work safely and with precision.
In addition to this, our extensive equipment range also includes spider cranes, all-terrain cranes and compact cranes, so you can find the lifting solution that’s right for you. Our plant hire services are available across Devon and Cornwall, where we’re proud of our flexible approach and premium customer care.
Get in touch with our team today to find out more about our crane hire options.
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