Swarco is a growing international group providing the complete range of road marking, signage, signaling, and traffic management products, services and solutions.
Advocates of mechanical handling equipment, they promote the use of mechanical aids such as loader cranes wherever possible.
Having had previous dealings with Penny Hydraulics, Head of Projects and Services in Milton Keynes, Mark Hickmott contacted Penny Hydraulics to specify lifting equipment for their Vauxhall Movano highways vehicle. The new drop-side was to be used to handle data display signs on UK highways.
Following consultation with Penny Hydraulics Area Sales Manager, Steve Brackstone, a hydraulic PH Crane was specified with a maximum working capacity of 2030kg. At full reach the crane reaches 5.2 metres and at this extension can lift 400kg. The PH270L has a remarkably low self-weight of only 245kg, this was vital to Swarco as they required the crane installation to not just improve operational flexibility and productivity but also maintain minimum impact on overall vehicle weight and carrying capacity.
Full hydraulic control is supplied as standard on all PH Cranes and benefited Swarco by allowing smooth and precise load handling, minimising the risk of sudden, unexpected movements that could cause accidents to users, bystanders or passing traffic. In addition to being fully hydraulic, the crane controls are also proportional providing additional precision for increased control and safety.
Swarco chose additional features too; an additional boom extension, radio remote controls and a high speed hoist. The additional boom extension added a further metre onto the crane boom length for increased flexibility. Remote controls further enhanced operator safety by allowing operators to stand well clear of the load. The wireless device allows the operator to move around the work area to obtain the best view of any task being performed. The high speed hoist was added to allow below ground lifting and was supplied in 12V to match the vehicle voltage.
The crane is now in operation throughout the UK and Mark Hickmott and the team are pleased with the impact this is having on their operation. Mark Comments, “the PH270L offers low-weight as well as a long reach…this is exactly what we were looking for. We have to move signs of varying shapes, sizes and weights on a daily basis so the equipment needed to be able to handle all these variants.”
