09.02.2025

Tandem Lift at Gatwick Airport

UK rental company Southern Cranes & Access has used two 150 tonne Grove GMK5150XL All Terrains for a tandem lift at London Gatwick Airport.

The cranes installed a 22 tonne substation near the main control tower, working within a strict 25 metre height restriction to avoid disrupting flight operations. The units were configured with their full 44.5 tonne counterweight and operated at a maximum radius of 22 metres.
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The cranes performing the tandem lift

Clive Sadler of Southern said: "We had to ensure all work was carried out below a 25 metre height so the airport would not have to suspend aircraft movements. Because the substation has eight lifting points, we would have needed an extra longitudinal spreader beam to lift with a single crane.”

“So, it seemed logical to share the load between two cranes. We chose the GMK5150XL cranes because they can carry a large amount of counterweight (30.9 tonne within a 16.5 tonne per axle limit), meaning we only needed one support vehicle, saving us time and money. The cranes also have a compact footprint and look great in our new livery."
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The new 22 tonne substation

Before the lift could take place, all crew members required full airport accreditation, and the cranes underwent intensive security screening before accessing the site through a special security gate. The substation, measuring 12.8 metres long, 4.1 metres wide and 3.6 metres high, was collected from manufacturer B&S Group's factory, where it had been fitted with Schneider electronic equipment for UK Power Networks. Due to its width, the unit required special arrangements to enter the airport and was escorted along the main taxiway between aircraft movements.
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A 150 tonne GMK5150XL on site

The installation, which included additional steel legs, stairs, and walkways, was completed in a single day using Manitowoc's Crane Control System (CCS) for precise control of all movements. This is the third such installation Southern Cranes & Access has completed at Gatwick Airport in recent months.

Established in 1997, family run Southern Cranes & Access is based in Horsham, south of London and covers a large area around London and the southeast with a fleet that includes All Terrain, mobile self-erecting tower and spider cranes as well as aerial work platforms and telehandlers - both fixed frame and 360 degree models.