Giant knuckle boom crane arrives in NZ

The only crane of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, the PK200002L SH knuckle boom crane, will soon be a key part of the New Zealand construction scene, operating initially throughout the South Island.

The NZD1million machine is the largest knuckle boom crane produced by Palfinger. Its 50- metre reach and ability to work in confined spaces are just t wo reasons for its well- earned international reputation, said Ross McFaul, owner of Southland- based Hire Frankton Ltd, who purchased the crane. He said that having been involved in the hire industry for over a decade and having seen how the market has changed with trucks needing extra axles to carry the heavier cranes and bigger loads because of the need for greater lif ting capacity and versatility, he decided to get the biggest knuckle boom crane on the market.

“For a crane of this size and reach it is remarkably quick and efficient to set up. For example, we can set up on the side of the road or in narrow spaces between buildings with no disruption to traffic f low, 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 is its reach,” he said.

The crane’s extension boom and f ly- 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.

“The PK200002L SH, or Jock as we call the crane, is operated with the Palcom 7 remote control. All safety features of the crane can be monitored from the remote control,” he said.

The crane was built in Austria at Palfinger where it was fit ted and tested. McFaul and Duncan Phillips (General Manager Goughs Palfinger) underwent training and handover in Austria. Once landed in New Zealand it has been checked out at Gough Palfinger in Christchurch. The Gough Group owns the Palfinger dealership for New Zealand and Australia.

“Getting the PK200002 onto 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.”

Initially the PK200002 will be based in Christchurch concentrating on construction rebuild work, maintenance and repair work, installation of new plant and possibly wind farm blade repair work. Adding to the crane’s versatility, it can be moved easily about the country as work dictates.

Hire Frankton Ltd is a small hire/ lease company that started out in late 2003 in Frankton hiring scissor lif ts, diggers and tipping trucks to local contractors. Due to the downturn in building in the Queenstown region, Hire Frankton Ltd moved to Invercargill and changed its direction from hiring earth moving equipment to hiring lif ting equipment.

It purchased its first Knuckle Boom Crane in 2013 which was a PM36 on a FY700 Hino. Mid 2014 a second hand PK56002 was purchased. This is a very good crane and had more reach and could lif t more but still lacked distance and capacity. 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.

DETAILS, ROSS MCFAUL, HIRE FRANKTON, PH: 021767719