20.11.2025

Valla for drink cans

UK based drinks can manufacturer Ball Packaging has taken delivery of a 3.6 tonne Valla V36R pick & carry crane.

Launched in 2020, the V36R features a three section boom and can handle 800kg at its maximum height of 7.5 metres and take 500kg out to its maximum radius of 4.75 metres. An optional hydraulic swingaway extension provides a tip height of 8.6 metres with a 450kg capacity and a maximum radius of just over six metres with a 250kg capacity.

Power comes from an 80 volt/300Ah battery pack, while features include remote controls, 180 degree rear steering, front wheel drive, electro-hydraulic brakes, removable counterweight and a 2.15 metre turning radius. Unlike the V80R and V11R, however, the V36R has a fixed length chassis, with no need to extend the counterweight rearwards.

Weighing 3,650kg, it has an overall width of 900mm, an overall height of 1.56 metres and an overall chassis length of 2.46 metres with an overall length from counterweight to boom nose of just over three metres. The compact dimensions make it ideal for work in tight spaces, with the crane used predominantly to carry out maintenance within the factory.

Carl Cooper of Hird said: “Pick & carry cranes can be used in a wide range of manufacturing facilities helping reduce downtime and manual handling.”

Based in Wakefield, Ball Packaging manufactures eight million drinks cans a day and supplies Coca Cola with around 50 percent of its packaging.

Hird is based in Hull, but also operates from locations in Doncaster, and Redhill, Surrey and is the distributor for Valla pick & carry cranes, Oil & Steel platforms and Winlet glazing robots in the UK and Ireland, as well as running a fleet of aerial lifts, glass handling equipment, pick & carry and spider cranes alongside training and machinery moving divisions.