Complex swing

Swing stages are not necessarily simple devices. Above is one custom-designed in 1986 for use by McNally's Crane Hire in the Republic of Ireland. It is slung from a crane periodically to clean a church spire near the company's Monaghan, Ireland depot. The stage has clamshell platforms and a hydraulic motor and ram. It cost approximately €125000.

The swing stage, says Cathal Mc Nally, director of the company, saw "...twelve good years of use...but now the owner is starting to feel the pinch..." of the cost of using it. The local council authority bought the device, which was used one more time just this past summer to clean the spire again.