16.09.2008

Spider lifts

A giant mechanical spider that standing 16 metres high and weighing 37 tonnes was found exploring Liverpool over a long weekend earlier this month. Ainscough Crane Hire was called on to move the spider around a number of the City’s landmarks.
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The spider on the councourse tower

The job involved 16 different cranes from the Ainscough fleet ranging from 25 tonnes to 300 tonnes, carrying out an incredible 300 crane lifts.

A 225 ton Liebherr LTM 1225 with 74 tonnes of counterweight accompanied by a 100 ton Liebherr LTM 1095, loaded and unloaded the beast from the city’s Concourse Tower, while a 300 tonne Liebherr LTM 1300 with 112 tonnes of counterweight lifted the spider into the water at Salthouse Dock.

Various 55 tonne, 80 tonne and 100 tonne cranes were used in the setting up of the various shows put on by the mechanical arachnid and were used in the transport of special effect machines that followed the spider on its journey through Liverpool.
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Crowds watch as the 32 tonne spider is hoisted into the air

The spectacular piece of street theatre was commissioned for the city’s European Capital of Culture, which Ainscough Crane Hire says it was proud to support.
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Up goes the spider