When we think of cranes, we tend to picture urban skylines where towering machines lift heavy materials over construction sites.
However, construction is not the only place where cranes come in handy. With our comprehensive fleet and expertise in lift planning, site supervision and CAD-supported method statements, we know that the potential for cranes goes far beyond the building site.
In this article, we will look at a range of scenarios where cranes play a role, from groundbreaking construction to iconic art installations and environmental initiatives.
Restoring History
Historic restoration projects and archaeological digs often require the movement of fragile materials that must be handled with the utmost care.
Emerson Crane Hire can assist with your restoration project and help maintain a heritage site. Using detailed method statements, our team will ensure that every step is planned. This protects both the crane operators and the historical artefacts, reinforcing the crane as a versatile and vital element of delicate restoration work.
Constructing Towering Landmarks
Central London’s Shard is officially Western Europe’s tallest structure. At 310 metres, The Shard’s construction involved advanced self-climbing tower cranes.
These cranes moved up the building as it rose, navigating high winds while allowing for continuous lifting of glass, steel and concrete at extreme heights. This unique technique kept construction efficient and minimised disruption in a dense and busy urban area.
Supporting Film and Photography Projects
Cranes are indispensable in the film industry. They provide dynamic angles and heights that would otherwise be impossible with standard equipment alone.
Cranes can be used to capture aerial shots of everything from scenery to complex stunt sequences, allowing directors to get the sweeping visuals they aspire to. Cranes also come in handy for assembling and disassembling large sets, adding another dimension to their use in entertainment production.
Assisting in Environmental and Wildlife Projects
Environmental conservation efforts often require access to difficult-to-reach locations.
Whether lifting water tanks for reforestation, transporting solar panels to off-grid sites or installing wildlife observation towers in protected zones, cranes enable essential infrastructure to reach even the most challenging landscapes. This proves the crane’s value in environmental work in the UK and across the globe.
Creating Large-Scale Art Installations
Artistic projects, festivals and art exhibitions often rely on cranes to set them up.
Anthony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North – a landmark sculpture in Gateshead – was assembled with the help of cranes due to its imposing size – 20 metres tall with a 54-metre wingspan. Mobile cranes lifted the pre-fabricated steel segments of this 200-ton sculpture and carefully positioned each piece to ensure structural stability. This project highlighted how cranes enable complex installations of colossal artworks.
From setting up intricate pieces that require precise handling to arranging towering structures that inspire viewers, cranes offer a safe and secure means of assembling art.
Helping Install Renewable Energy Equipment
Renewable energy installations, such as wind turbines or large-scale solar panels, often occur in challenging landscapes and at height. Cranes provide the height and reach needed to install components safely and accurately.
We can offer lift planning and site supervision for these demanding locations and projects.
Building Modern Infrastructure
HS2 – the high-speed rail network under construction in the UK – relies heavily on cranes for building tunnels, bridges and viaducts.
Large crawler cranes lift heavy sections of concrete, steel and tunnel boring machinery. In addition, gantry cranes assist with precast segments for bridges and viaducts. This substantial project underscores how cranes are vital for infrastructure that requires lifting large, heavy materials in challenging locations.
One of the UK’s most ambitious nuclear power projects, Hinkley Point C, relies on massive cranes to lift prefabricated concrete sections, nuclear components and heavy machinery.
A crane known as “Big Carl”, the world’s largest land-based crane, is used to lift pieces weighing up to 5,000 tons. It is essential for constructing the massive reactors, containment buildings and cooling infrastructure safely and efficiently.
Lifting Trees for Urban Green Spaces
Planting trees in towns and cities adds beauty and biodiversity. However, tree planting in urban areas also creates a logistical challenge, especially when mature trees are being transported and planted.
Crane hire is an ideal solution when large trees need to be lifted and positioned in built-up city centres and other urban spaces. This delicate work requires crane strength and precision to avoid damaging the trees or their new environment.
Constructing Elevated Pools and Rooftop Gardens
Another less typical use for cranes has been in the construction of rooftop pools and gardens. In crowded urban areas, where every inch of space matters, rooftop pools and green spaces add value to high-rise buildings and provide residents with a calming oasis.
Cranes are essential for hoisting heavy pool components, soil and other landscaping materials to these elevated spaces, enabling projects that otherwise would remain out of reach.
The Crane’s Essential Role
From historical preservation to green space creation and beyond, cranes open up possibilities that would otherwise remain limited by height, weight or access restrictions.
With a comprehensive fleet and a knowledgeable team that excels in planning and executing complex lifts, Emerson Crane Hire is proud to contribute to these diverse and challenging projects. Whatever the vision, cranes continue to be instrumental in making aspirational ideas a reality.
If you’re planning a project and need reliable and experienced support, please reach out to Emerson Crane Hire to see how our expertise and state-of-the-art fleet can bring your vision to life. Call us today on 020 8548 3900 or contact us here.
