Sheffield’s Institute of Sport got off to a running start thanks to the technical prowess of a GGR UNIC spider crane.

A 6 tonne capacity UNIC URW-706 spider crane worked from the running track at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield to install 16 pieces of toughened glass for a new viewing gallery. This world class sports facility includes an athletics arena, gym, netball and badminton courts and is used by many local sports clubs and athletes. The 200m running track was used by Team GB to train for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Using an MRT4 glass lifter to handle each 280kg panel, the UNIC URW-706 was able to work at a 15 metre radius from its position on the indoor athletics track. Once the crane had been carefully tracked through the building to reach its lifting location, its outriggers were carefully positioned on mats, avoiding the outer running track itself. The crane was able to expertly glaze the multi-level gallery whilst working underneath the arena roof.

GGR’s mini cranes and lifting solutions have helped other construction projects at sports venues reach the finish line in record breaking time. A UNIC URW-706 crane helped install external glazing to the Olympic Park Aquatics Centre and a HOMER robot fitted ventilation screens to Manchester’s indoor BMX track.