Project overview
Last April, Emerson Cranes were appointed to support a high-profile residential lifting operation in South East London as part of the BBC’s DIY SOS home transformation series.
The project involved installing a large self-contained living pod into a rear garden, requiring the pod to be lifted over a residential property with extremely limited access.
Due to the complexity of the lift, detailed planning, coordination and specialist lifting equipment were essential to ensure the operation was completed safely and efficiently.
This type of operation reflects the challenges often seen in more complex residential and light commercial lifting environments, as explored in our wider guide to lifting projects involving structures over buildings.
The challenge
The primary challenge was the restricted urban environment.
The pod needed to be:
- Lifted over a residential property
- Accurately positioned into a confined rear garden space
- Installed without direct crane access to the landing area
Additional constraints included:
- Tight residential surroundings
- Limited setup and working space
- Precise placement requirements on delivery
- Large radius from the transport to the final position
This created a high-risk lifting environment where accuracy, control and planning were critical throughout the operation.
The solution
To execute the lift safely, Emerson deployed our flagship Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1, supported by an LTM1060 rig crane and associated ballast lorries.
The LTM 1450-8.1 was selected due to its combination of a powerful 85 metre main boom, and the infinitely variable hydraulically adjustable VarioBallast®, VarioBase® systems
Key configuration details included:
- 104 tonne counterweight configuration
- VarioBase® outrigger system used for enhanced flexibility and stability
- Coordinated escort and ballast support logistics
The VarioBase system allowed independent outrigger extension, providing maximum stability on a restricted and uneven urban setup.
Lift execution
The lift required highly controlled movement due to the changing radius throughout the operation.
Key technical parameters included:
- Minimum operating radius of 28 metres
- Extending up to 50 metres during final placement
- VarioBallast positioned at 5 metres during critical lift stages
- VarioBallast extended to 7 metres when the load was positioned over the property
Careful coordination between crane operator, lifting team and site supervisors ensured the load was safely transferred over the structure and placed accurately into the rear garden.
Outcome
The lift was completed successfully and safely, with the structure installed exactly as planned within a highly restricted residential space.
Despite the complexity of lifting over a live property, the combination of detailed planning, experienced operators and specialist equipment ensured smooth delivery from start to finish.
The project was also featured on BBC DIY SOS, highlighting the scale and precision involved in the operation.
Technical details (for crane enthusiasts)
For those interested in the technical lifting configuration, the operation required precise load control and radius management throughout.
Key technical highlights included:
Crane configuration: Liebherr LTM 1450-8.1 with 104t counterweight
Support crane: Liebherr LTM 1060 used for auxiliary lifting and rigging support
Outrigger system: VarioBase® allowing variable outrigger extension for site-specific stability
Minimum operating radius: 28 metres
Maximum working radius: 50 metres during final placement
Counterweight extension: up to 7 metres at full outreach
Ballast positioning: controlled at 5 metres during critical phases of the lift
This configuration allowed the team to maintain stability and precision throughout a highly restricted and extended-radius lift.
Project context and related work
This project sits within a broader category of complex lifting operations involving restricted access and residential environments.
We have previously explored similar lifting scenarios in our guide to moving offices, sheds and pods over houses using mobile cranes, where access, clearance and precision are key considerations.
For a wider understanding of the technical and operational challenges involved in large-scale lifting projects, see our guide on key challenges in complex crane operations.
Read more: Key Challenges in Large-Scale Lifting Projects and How to Overcome Them
Read more: Lifting Offices, Sheds & Pods Over Houses with Mobile Cranes
