Mini Cranes Operating Efficiently in any Work Space

The African economic boom is unfolding in the rapidly growing urban centres on the continent. As a result, space has become more constricted, accelerating a trend towards work-at-height solutions. Eazi Group, Africa’s leader in mobile work-at-height solutions, offers technologically advanced, cost-effective and safe solutions, such as the Maeda mini cranes.

At first sight, they resemble robotic spiders sitting on long crawls: compact and stable, with a long arm coming out of its core, ready to move into position to get the job done. Maeda mini cranes are technologically advanced and versatile lifting equipment, developed and designed to tackle ambitious tasks in constricted areas. As one of the largest construction and equipment manufacturing companies in Japan, Maeda has been producing mini cranes since 1980, becoming a global leader with a market share of approximately 70-75%.

The Maeda mini cranes are available in South Africa and throughout Africa on a rental basis through Eazi Access Rental – a 100% South African-owned company that offers the largest fleet of telehandlers and work-at-height equipment in Southern Africa. The company has its head office in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, with 13 branches across various provinces in South Africa. “The focus right now is to provide South Africa’s industries with safe work-at-height solutions that is cost-effective and enhances productivity,” says Chad Pope, Business Director for Eazi Access Rental. A major local construction site that the Eazi Group services is the new Waterfall development precinct in Midrand. This is considered one of the top urban developments in Africa, with Eazi Group having multiple powered work-at-height machines currently deployed in the area. Eazi already runs businesses in Mozambique and Namibia, with Nigeria and Angola targeted next for growth, especially in the construction and industrial sectors.

The Maeda mini cranes are ideal for various industries, including construction, petrochemical, energy, transport, and forestry. The range offers a lifting capacity from 1 to 6 tons with a lift height from 5.5 to 16.7 meters. For specialised applications, such as glass handling or cladding, customers can choose from a variety of below-the-hook accessories. The smaller series can all be operated by remote control, allowing precise lifting. They also operate on environmentally-friendly electric power with zero emission.

Maeda offers a wide range of models, starting with the MC104 Mini Crawler Crane. Its body is only 600mm wide, making it easy to fit through a standard doorway. The MC104 is hydrostatic and comes with white rubber track options to avoid damage to sensitive flooring. Weighing just over a ton, it can lift up to 1 ton. The next model, the MC174, comes with a lifting capacity of 1.7 tons, and the MC285-2 offers a 2.82 tons lifting capacity. All three models are compact and have the same specs as larger cranes, yet are easy to load and transport.

Thus, the cranes’ application is unparalleled. At a soccer stadium in Belgium, the MC285 replaced six panels of glass damaged during the previous season. The Maeda mini crane had to climb stairs inside the stadium to get into position. The same model was used at the Guggenheim Museum in Germany to install a two-ton artwork in an enclosed room. In restoration projects such as churches or historic buildings, the Maeda mini cranes can navigate narrow doorways and corridors, with rubber tracks protecting sensitive floors. They are also suitable for outdoor rough terrain. Whether along river banks, steep slopes, or other uneven ground, the extendible outriggers can be adjusted accordingly. In South Africa, the cranes have been used to fit glass on office buildings and shopping malls.

The cranes’ incredible versatility allows positioning close to loads, something previously dangerous and requiring much larger, expensive cranes. “Proximity is more important than sales,” says Bo Börjesson, Technical Advisor at Maeda Sweden. “Clients prefer to rent equipment first before committing to buying, and rental often leads to sales.” Maeda mini cranes are easy to operate, and hands-on training is provided to ensure strict safety procedures.

Eazi Group offers competitive sales and rental services, with possible leases up to three to five years. “Since the economy is under pressure, clients prefer to work more cost-effectively,” says Larry Smith, Managing Director of Eazi Sales & Services, the sales arm of the Eazi Group.