This white UNIC mini crane looked like an angel sent from crane heaven working in the magnificent surroundings of the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in Nantes, Pays de la Loire, France.

In April 2013, this 6 tonne capacity UNIC URW-706 spider crane was hired to lift a new altar, pulpit and bishop’s seat (a “cathedra”) into Nantes Cathedral.

Described on the Diocese of Nantes website as “a strange machine – half spider, half track”, the mini crane was tracked up the cathedral’s steps into the entrance area, where it was first set up to lift the heavy stone altar into the building.

The UNIC URW-706 spider crane measures just 1.67 metres wide in its stowed position, so it could be easily folded up and transported down the aisle.  The stone loads were placed onto trolleys and wheeled over to the cathedral’s transept where the mini crane lifted them into their final position next to the choir.

When work in the renovated part of the cathedral was complete, the new altar, pulpit and cathedra were blessed at a special Mass ceremony.

GGR Group has also used UNIC mini cranes to work on churches, chapels and cathedrals closer to home. Take a look at how a UNIC URW-095 installed a new entrance at Ripon Cathedral.

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