Using Mini Cranes for Glazing Work
The non-porous surface of glass makes it notoriously difficult to grip, rendering it one of the trickiest materials to work with. However, glazing is an integral part of residential and commercial building projects. Although tower cranes or ground cranes have traditionally been used for glazing work, mini cranes have emerged as the preferred choice in the last decade. This is because they offer several benefits over their larger crane cousins, including increased productivity on site, cost savings, and the ability to install glass from a building’s interior.
Allow us to outline several benefits mini cranes present for glazing work.
- Frees up precious tower crane time
Using a tower crane for glass handling occupies a great deal of time that could be spent on other material handling priorities on site. Working independent of the tower crane, crews can engage several mini cranes to carry out glazing, enhancing overall efficiency. 
- Facilitates both internal and external glazing
The petite stature and light footprint of a mini crane enables glass panels to be fixed from the interior of a building. These machines can easily perform lifts from the concrete slab of a site, even several storeys up, allowing operators to install both internal and external glazing at various stages of a building’s construction. With their ability to switch from diesel to economy mode, members of our SuperCrane™ fleet can even be used for interior glazing replacement jobs. Running fully on electricity, on this mode models like the SuperCrane™ 547 release no noise and no emissions, making them well-suited for indoor areas.
- Affords precise placement
Installing glass panels in diverse structures is an intricate task that bears many risks due to the fragility of the material. Mini cranes use vacuum glass handlers and precision controls to safely lift and position glass panes.
- Enables work in confined spaces
The compact size of mini cranes makes them well-suited for interior glazing or for glass handling in narrow, hard-to-reach, areas. Their small stature and superior maneuverability enable them to navigate tighter spaces that larger cranes cannot, such as narrow alleyways or doorways. They can also access higher levels of a building due to their ability to fit into a lift or elevator hoist.
- Greater efficiency
Engaging a mini crane for your glazing work frees up your tower or ground crane to perform other vital lifts, boosting productivity on site. The considerable reach of a mini crane also enables them to perform multiple lifts from a single spot, decreasing time spent repositioning. Depending on the size of the job, multiple mini cranes can be engaged, increasing efficiency on site.
- Decreased costs
A great benefit of the productivity gains accomplished by using a mini crane is timely project completion. This is critical to ensuring maximum return on investment. Mini cranes are also cheaper to operate than a tower crane, decreasing overall project costs. 
Are you looking to hire a mini crane?
At Preston Hire, you can COUNT ON US to provide specialised solutions to your glazing needs. To speak to one of our experienced staff, call 0800 440 558 or you can contact us through our website.
