A UNIC mini spider crane hired from GGR Group made handling steel beams look simple when it helped construct a new train maintenance shed at a London Underground depot recently.

The 2.9 tonne capacity UNIC URW-376 mini spider crane was used to lift steel beams to build the framework for Neasden depot’s new shed. This will be where London Underground’s S Stock fleet of tube trains will undergo maintenance and repair work once the station upgrade project is complete.

The compact UNIC spider crane was able to work in between the tracks to lift the 4 metre long steel beams into position for installation by staff working on access platforms. Working at a 7 metre radius in the restricted space, the UNIC URW-376 had the lifting strength and reach to move the 320kg beams to a 10.2 metre maximum height.

GGR Rail’s mini cranes have full Network Rail Product Acceptance and have been used on other steel lifting jobs for station upgrade projects, such as installing crash deck scaffolding inside Edinburgh Waverley station and removing the steel Northern Access Deck from London Kings Cross station.

GGR’s new Steel Beam Manipulation Head is an alternative piece of equipment which attaches onto our EMU robot for installing beams and girders from underneath.  We also stock below-the-hook lifting clamps for handling steelwork – the Easy Clamp, Square Section Clamp and Girder Clamp.

For more information about the mini cranes and lifting solutions GGR provides for work in the rail industry, visit the GGR Rail website and contact a member of our team for more information.