Gulf Construction Online - Unic shrinks cranes in size

Cranes & Hoists

Unic’s crane can handle even the toughest of jobs in narrow confines.

Unic shrinks cranes in size

Mini-crawler crane specialist Unic plans to introduce its small yet powerful crane at the region’s largest construction exhibition – The Big 5 show – later this year.

01 August 2005

UK-based mini-crawler crane specialist Unic Cranes Europe has succeeded in developing what is claimed to be world’s smallest and lightest crane, which it intends to introduce at this year's Big 5 show in Dubai.

The A094CR is 590 mm wide and weighs 1,000 kg. Designed for manoeuvring into the tightest of working areas, once in position, the A094CR is capable of lifting 0.995 tonnes, with its 5.49 m long boom allowing a maximum hook height of 5.6 m, giving it an unmatched flexibility and strength in working in tight spaces, says a spokesman.
Unic launched its first mini-crawler cranes at last year’s bauma exhibition in Germany. Since then, the company has sold more than 100 cranes and established a network of 18 distributors across Europe and South Africa. Having conducted initial research into the Middle East market by exhibiting at the Big 5 in 2004, Unic is now recruiting dealers to sell and service its mini-cranes throughout the region.
“Our first year has been an incredible success; we have exceeded all our targets in terms of sales, distribution contracts and product development. We have put in place a pan-European network of keen, committed, professional dealers and our mini-cranes are now in use across the world in a huge variety of industries,” says Gill Riley, managing director at Unic.
“We are now looking to expand beyond Europe and see the Middle East as a key territory for our products. Our cranes are small enough to be driven through a standard doorway and on congested construction sites can provide a cost-effective alternative to mobile and tower cranes. And because of their access capabilities, they are also ideal for fitting or removal work once the main construction phases are complete,” he adds.
Unic mini-cranes are manufactured in Japan by Furukawa Unic, a major producer of truck-mounted cranes. Furukawa Unic pulled out of the European market 12 years ago, when CE legislation was introduced, but after two years of modification work to ensure that all its mini-cranes were fully compliant with European legislation, Unic Cranes Europe commenced business in March 2004.
Unic's range of mini-cranes also includes the Unic A295CRE, a tri-fuel machine that allows operators to switch between petrol, LPG and mains electric power at the flick of a switch to suit the site environment. Petrol may be used for outdoor operation, while LPG is appropriate for fumeless indoor applications. Where available, mains electricity can be used to keep noise levels to a minimum. At 600 mm wide, the A295CRE is narrow enough to pass through a standard doorway, weighs only 1,850 kg, and has a maximum capacity of 2.9 tonnes.
Mini-cranes are designed for a range of restricted access and confined working area applications. All five models – the A094CR, the A095CR, the A295CR, the A376CL and the A506CL – use self-extending outriggers to offer an unrivalled size-to-capacity ratio. The highest capacity model, the A506CL, lifts 3 tonnes and boasts a maximum boom length of 16 m.
Safety features including an intelligent voice warning system, automatic boom speed reduction approaching overload, auto hook stow, continuous alarm on overload and full safe load indicator system, make the Unic range the most technologically-advanced mini cranes available, says Riley.
He adds: “We are in the process of finalising agreements for several territories within the Middle East and will be looking at the Big 5 as an opportunity to line up partners for the remaining areas we have earmarked. The level of interest from dealers so soon has surprised us and perhaps reflects the wider, less-traditional, markets for mini-cranes. The different lifting jobs our cranes tackle seems to increase daily. In addition to general on-site construction and an increasing amount of work in oil refineries, customers have used them to de-commission nuclear reactors, plant trees, erect rooftop lamp posts and position monumental artwork.”
Unic Cranes Europe, the European distributor of Furukawa Unic, specialises in the sale of mini-crawler cranes, designed for lifting in restricted access and confined working environments. Currently, Unic offers five models with a range of lifting heights, working radii and capacities.