Raimondi Cranes LR330 and your imagination

Raimondi Cranes LR330 luffing tower crane




Earlier in the week, I was having a little fun with Instagram stories and created a poll over which article to write next. Do I write about Terex Cranes or Raimondi Cranes?

The following morning, I woke up to the results. The results landed us with this article about Raimondi Crane’s flagship LR330 luffing tower crane. It’s never the crane or the machines themselves that capture our imagination. And the new LR330 comes with some serious numbers, numbers that Eng. Domenic Ciano, Technical Director and the team from Raimondi Cranes, can be proud of.

Raimondi Cranes LR330 and your imagination

Raimondi Cranes LR330 luffing crane, looking along the jibThe LR330 luffing crane can reach 60m and still lift 3.3t which is what stirs the imagination about the sort of construction sites you could place this crane. Think of the possibilities……. More to the point, what are you building that you need a 60m luffing crane?

As each manufacturer introduces new models targeting different circumstances and conditions; it ends up being the construction team’s imagination, and the odd joke about sticking the largest crane you can find that ultimately leads to our choice.

And when companies like Raimondi Cranes release a crane cram packed full of features like the LR330 (see infographic here) the reminiscing begins. We joke about past projects; past operators and we even joke about how the new features would have saved some heartache back in the day.

As you look over the spec’s on the LR330, it’s hard not to start to daydream a little. Starting with the Raimondi’s safety control system, according to Ciano, “crane operators can now choose between three different configurations. This functionality allows the operators to align the crane closer to their specific needs.”

Climbing up the mast of Raimondi Cranes LR330

Also looking at how Raimondi has developed a new equilateral triangular jib with all the benefits that come along with the new design. Such as decreased wind drag, simplified site assembly and being able to pack more onto a truck. I guess I am showing my site manager side when all I can think about is how much more of the jib I can fit on one truck. Think about the savings, especially when you know that your project’s budget is shot.

 

At the end of the day, when a company like Raimondi Cranes have crane operators’ that enjoy taking the driver’s seat, it’s hard to not consider the LR330 as a serious option.

Related article: Raimondi Cranes latest crane MRT234

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Terex Cranes have made it to Instagram

Terex Crane in Sydney

Terex Crane in Sydney


Terex Corporation started back in the early 1930’s, and over the years they have developed into the brand that we know today. They have a few subsidiary’s that are familiar in the construction site; the mobile crane brand DemagGenie working platforms; and the mighty Pick and Carry cranes or Franna for all the Australians.

But Terex is better known for their self-branded tower cranes. And that is for no other reason than the dominance a tower crane has over a construction site. As we move rapidly into the 21st century, the internet and social media are quickly replacing conventional media channels.

Terex cranes end of jib

Like everyone, big business knows there is no point in advertising where no one is watching. And now we are seeing corporations shift their marketing towards the various social media platforms.

Various industries are beginning to find their preferred social media platforms, and construction is quickly settling on Instagram. Let’s be honest, we all love to show off on occasion, and Instagram lets us do that with pictures and even short videos.

And Terex is no expectation, they have had a corporate Instagram page since 2015. And over the last few weeks, Terex has started an Instagram page dedicated to cranes (@terexcranes). So why is this good news?

Why is Terex Cranes Instagram page good news?

Terex Cranes Instagram page
Screen grab of Terex Cranes Instagram page

Well, for most people this doesn’t mean a lot, but for all the “crane spotters” out there, this is great news. As a self-proclaimed crane spotter myself, it can be annoying taking great photos and not knowing who tag. When the owner or manufacture of a crane reposts our images, it’s the ultimate recognition of our craft.

For all the fellow crane spotters out there, you might have to go back through your Instagram page and tag Terex Cranes (@terexcranes) and begin using the hashtag #terexcranes.

Sorry Terex, you are about to get spammed by a very active crane spotting community.

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Raimondi Cranes, thanks for joining me on my walk

topless raimondi cranes in melourne




Raimondi Cranes on King street MelbourneI have been in Melbourne, Australia for a few weeks, travelling around filming the next few episodes of The Travelling Builder Show. As we all experience from time to time, my plans had changed a little, resulting in a free day to do whatever tickled my fancy.

Personal challenge, photographing Raimondi Cranes

Just in case you haven’t seen my Instagram page, its full of photos of buildings and cranes. Instead of aimlessly wandering the streets of Melbourne taking photos of said buildings and cranes; I figured I would set myself a challenge. So, I reached out to Raimondi Cranes and asked if they would be interested in sending me a list of crane locations around Melbourne and I would send over a few photos in return.

A few phone calls later, and help from Clarke Cranes in Melbourne. I got my list of addresses.

Raimondi Cranes in RichmondThere is something about setting a goal that has no implications on whether you complete it or not. I was under no obligations to take photos. I thought it would be a great way to give my day some purpose, a challenge and hopefully build a new connection along the way.

Testing our own personal resolve

Completing this little goal tested my resolve way more than I could have imagined. Particularly heading over to my last destination in St Kilda. I had just finished walking 11km so far in what felt one of the hottest days I have had in Melbourne. The worst part, knowing that I now have a 6km walk to get to St Kilda followed by another 4km’s back to the hotel. It was at this point that the chatting to one’s self about quitting began.

The thoughts, so many thoughts about quitting. Thoughts like, you have bucket loads of photos (by this stage I have 200 plus), no one knows how many cranes you thought you would visit. And with all the images I had taken so far, I had more than exceeded what I thought I would shoot.

Raimondi cranes in St KildaAnd this is where the pull to give up and go home set in. That 6km was the longest, loudest walk of my life; my head would not shut up. The excuses, the reasons, that wrong turn down a dead-end street. But when I looked up from that intersection in St Kilda and saw that familiar round Raimondi crane cab, that sense of achievement was so much sweeter.

Not only had I set myself a challenge and finished it. “I nailed it,” no matter how exhausted I felt, it was worth it. That satisfaction for doing something that we said we would do for no other reason than saying we would, is the most satisfying, don’t you think?

So please, enjoy some of the photos from my day, knowing the victory over my reasons and excuses.

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Raimondi cranes with powerlines
Personal achievement
Raimondi cranes jib and window reflection
Keep going, one more stop

 

Hutchinson Builders dominating Brisbane’s skyline

Hutchinson Builders, Newstead, Tower cranes




Hutchinson Builders or more affectionately known as Hutchies, have capitalised on the building boom that is taking place in Brisbane, Australia.  For the last few years, the skyline of Brisbane has been littered with tower cranes completing in this current round of high-rise construction.

Hutchinson Builders, tower cranes, Brisbane
Some of Hutchinson Builders tower cranes around Brisbane.

On any given day, no matter which direction that you look, you can see multiple tower cranes. Back in 2016, I had the pleasure of working in Fortitude Valley.   Standing on the roof, you could look North towards Newstead and count 16 cranes without moving.

Tower cranes, Newstead, Brisbane, Hutchinson Builders
Tower cranes over Newstead, Brisbane.

How many tower cranes are there in Brisbane currently?

According to the RLB Crane Index for the 2nd Quarter of 2017, Brisbane has 81 tower cranes scattered across the skyline. Brisbane’s tower crane count is down from 2016 3rd Quarter of 104 tower cranes. The number of cranes in the sky is the largest number that Brisbane has seen.

There are a lot of other large builders in Brisbane contributing to the current shape of the skyline. Some of the notable large commercial builders include Brookfield Multiplex, Hindmarsh, Icon Co and Mirvac just listing a few.  Then you have an absolute plethora of smaller commercial builders throwing up tower cranes all over the place, companies like Tomkins Commercial & Industrial Builders, Condev, Torre Developments and the list goes on and on.

Hutchinson Builders are everywhere around Brisbane

Hutchinson Builders, Tower cranes, Brisbane
Hutchinson Builders tower cranes over South Bank, Brisbane.

It’s not necessarily that Hutchies are the biggest or the best, they just happen to be the builder with their name everywhere. Travelling the streets of South Bank Parklands district, most of the construction site fencing has Hutchinson Builders banners wrapped around them.

Heading north, the density of cranes begins to lessen. However, the familiar blue and white cranes stand out from the rest. Mostly due to the fact they are the ones standing the tallest. One block in Newstead, Hutchies have had the luxury (or the nightmare) to have three high-rises as next door neighbours.

Hutchinson Builders, Newstead, Tower cranes
Hutchinson Builders well underway, Newstead Brisbane.

The boom in Brisbane caused an interesting event for all subcontractors and tradespeople. With the amount of work available, just about every subcontracting company and tradesperson were able to name their price. You would watch guys wheel their toolbox out of one job site head down the street and walk straight into the neighbouring project.

When a project’s timeline started to lag, finding additional site personnel was near impossible. Mostly, fancy reshuffling of site works was the only option available. Meeting the project’s timeline became an art form, not for the faint-hearted.

As we head into the second half of 2017, it will be great to see the current high-rise boom continue; I guess time will tell how long this cycle has left.