The only crane of its type in the Southern Hemisphere is now playing a key part in the New Zealand construction scene.
The PK200002L SH knuckle boom crane has been purchased by Ross McFaul, owner of Southland-based Hire Frankton Ltd.
The $1 million machine, nicknamed “Jock”, is the largest knuckle boom crane produced by Palfinger.
Its 50-metre reach and ability to work in confined spaces are just two reasons for its well-earned international reputation.
One of three cranes working for Hire Frankton Ltd, it had its first day on the job in Christchurch last month as part of a demolition.
McFaul has been in the hire industry for more than 10 years and has noticed a lot of equipment innovation during that time.
He started his business as a hire and lease company near Queenstown in 2003, lending scissor lifts, diggers and tipping trucks to local contractors.
A downturn in building in the Queenstown region saw the company move to Invercargill and change its direction from hiring earth-moving equipment to hiring lifting equipment.
It bought its first knuckle boom crane, a PM36 on a FY700 Hino, in 2013. The following year it bought a second-hand PK56002.
McFaul says the market has changed with trucks requiring extra axles to carry heavier cranes and bigger loads because of the need for greater lifting capacity and versatility.
After much investigation, Hire Frankton placed an order in March 2017 with Gough Palfinger for a PK200002 knuckle boom crane fitted to a Scania R560 supplied by Cable Price, one of the biggest knuckle boom cranes on the market.
“For a crane of this size and reach, it is remarkably quick and efficient to set up,” McFaul says.
“For example, we can set up on the side of the road or in narrow spaces between buildings with no disruption to traffic flow, no requirement for elaborate traffic management plans but with a safe and efficient result.
“I could park this crane on the goal-line of a rugby field and it could pick up a 500kg weight near halfway with the boom configured parallel to the ground, that’s its reach.”
The crane’s extension boom and fly-jib have a reverse linkage system that can reach through low door openings and work inside a building.
The boom can even pass right through a building to operate on the other side. Its versatility is amazing and it is so easy to operate, McFaul says.
The PK200002L SH, or Jock as the crane is called, is operated with the Palcom 7 remote control. All safety features of the crane can be monitored from the remote control.”
The crane was built in Austria at Palfinger where it was fitted and tested. McFaul and Gough Palfinger general manager Duncan Phillips underwent training and a handover in Austria.
Once in New Zealand, the crane was checked out at Gough Palfinger in Christchurch. The Gough Group owns the Palfinger dealership for New Zealand and Australia.
Some concerns were raised about Jock’s size on the road, McFaul says.
“Getting the PK200002 on to New Zealand roads was not a straightforward task and I must thank staff at the New Zealand Transport Authority who have helped immensely on this project as there was an initial concern that this crane might be too big for our roads.”
