Eurovia receives 20 custom cranes

For the project, Penny Hydraulics decided to partner with Mackworth Vehicle Conversion Specialists (both based in the UK) to create the corner mounted truck crane suitable for loading wacker plates as well as other plant, signage or chemical drums where space is at a premium.

The new crane model, named the MC250/1, is ideal for mounting inside many pod style mobile workshops or on truck headboards between the cab and the body, the company said. The crane design has a high speed hoist and a maximum working capacity of 250 kilograms. It is supplied in 12 and 24 volt options and the crane runs off the vehicle battery.

Penny Hydraulics worked on the crane design to remove weight without compromising on quality or safety, the company explained. The crane is therefore incredibly lightweight at only 20 kg.

Several prototype cranes were developed and the final model was decided upon when Mackworth -who were responsible for the Daf LF and Iveco Daily vehicles - completed a vehicle with a walk through section into the body area from a landing. The new crane had to be manufactured to size, so it fitted precisely to the headboard to allow the walk through area to be kept clear.

To date, twenty cranes have been installed and the vehicles are in operation throughout the UK.

Andy Kent, general manager at Mackworth who carried out the installation work, said, “We expect Eurovia to see an increase in both productivity and operator safety as the cranes go into operation. Installation is easy, we are able to either bolt or weld the corner bracket directly onto the headboard and the crane just hangs off the bracket.”

Thirty further installations are now planned for the coming months as the rest of the fleet is kitted out with the new crane.