Maeda unveiled the MC-815 at the Bauma trade fair in Munich last week as its largest ever crane. Hird had already bought the first machine off the production line – serial number 00001.
The MC-815 lifts eight tonnes at a radius of 2.4 metres. It has a five-section 19.4-metre boom, and an optional two section 1,500kg capacity telescopic jib, which increases the maximum lifting height to 25.5 metres. A 1,000kg all-new searcher hook is also available.
Hird says that this specification makes it well suited to steel erection, glass and curtain wall installation, building maintenance and machinery moving.
Managing director Phil Hird said: "We're delighted to be the first crane hire company to take delivery of what is going to be an industry-leading mini crane. We have bought a large number of Maeda mini cranes in the last 12 months. They are the most popular mini crawler cranes in the world because they are the most capable and technologically advanced machines, and the MC-815 is no exception."
Alan Peck, sales director of Kranlyt, Maeda’s European master distributor, said: "Hird is one of our most important UK customers, so we are very pleased that they got the first MC-815.”
He added: "We sold nine of the cranes off the stand at Bauma, and we expect this model to be our most popular Maeda mini crane in Europe in 2016. By all measures it is a major step forward in mini crane design, technology and capability.”
Other features include a new joystick control replacing the standard four levers, and a new 10.4-inch multi-function touch-screen monitor.
A key new development with the MC815 mini spider crane is its new HBC Technos A fully-remote radio telemetry system. While the MC-815 can be operated from a conventional seat on the crane or controlled remotely. The crane can also be remotely self-levelled and automatically stowed.
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