RNLI look-outs delivered by Mercedes-Hiab combination 10 June 2013

A new truck-mounted Hiab XS477 E-6 HiDuo crane is being used to deliver lifeguard look-out units for the RNLI to hundreds of coastal locations around mainland UK and Northern Ireland.

Mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Actros 6x2 tractor unit, with a semi-trailer carrying two look-out units, the crane unloads the units ready for the summer season before doing its rounds again to collect the lifeguard units and return them to regional storage.

Paul O'Brien, transport co-ordinator at the RNLI's headquarters at Poole in Dorset, says: "Our new Hiab XS 477 crane and the 200C are both great pieces of kit that are proving invaluable in helping us to carry out a wide variety of lifting jobs."

Commenting on Hiab's outreach of over 16.5 metres and over 2.0 tonne capacity, he adds: "The XS 477 is particularly impressive in its role of placing the lifeguard units, which it does with great precision, safety and efficiency."

To enhance this lifting performance, the crane has been equipped with an E-link system allowing it to retain maximum lifting capacity when working with a straight boom or when handling loads close to the column.

The HiDuo control system comes with Space 4000 electronic intelligence, which monitors and controls all the functions of the crane. It also supports the use of the XSDrive remote control unit, which allows the operator to choose the best vantage point from which to operate the crane.

When not being used on lifeguard look-out unit delivery duties, the XS477 E-6 performs other duties, including the delivery of inshore lifeboats, five-tonne fuel storage tanks, mooring buoys, and launch and recovery equipment.

The RNLI several Hiab products, among them a 200C-3 model, recently fitted to a new Mercedes-Benz Axor two-axle 18 tonne rigid. The combination of this smaller truck and a crane that has a maximum outreach of 10.5 metres lifting almost 1.4 tonnes, is proving very useful, according to O'Brien.

"All of our Hiab cranes are robust and reliable and able to withstand the rigours of working in often harsh or difficult environments," he says.

Author
Brian Tinham

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