Ainscough’s 500T Crane With 77m Luffing Fly Jib Delivers Precision Lift at Royal Derby Hospital

30 Second Takeaway

Ainscough Crane Hire has completed a highly complex rooftop lifting operation at Royal Derby Hospital, supporting Skanska with the installation of new chillers and a prefabricated plant room. Using a 500-tonne crane fitted with a 77-metre luffing fly jib, the team delivered the lift safely in a live hospital environment completing the operation ahead of schedule despite tight clearances and challenging ground conditions.

Supporting Critical Healthcare Infrastructure

Ainscough Crane Hire was appointed to support Skanska on essential upgrade works at Royal Derby Hospital, part of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. The scope involved lifting a prefabricated plant room, two chillers, and associated steelwork onto the hospital roof all while maintaining uninterrupted hospital operations.

Given the live healthcare environment, safety, precision, and programme certainty were paramount throughout the operation.

High-Capacity Crane Configuration

The lift was executed using a 500-tonne crane equipped with a 77-metre luffing fly jib, providing the reach and control required to access the rooftop installation point within a constrained site footprint.

Mobilisation began on Friday night, with a ten-hour rigging operation carried out using a 60-tonne rigging crane. The setup was led on site by Bob Beardmore, Ainscough’s Heavy Cranes Technical Manager.

Engineering Around Tight Clearances and Ground Conditions

Working on a gradient introduced additional complexity. The Ainscough engineering team designed a bespoke ground solution incorporating:

• An ekki timber mat ramp

• Standard crane mats

• Load distribution measures accounting for a nearby underground service chamber

During rigging, clearances were reduced to just 100 millimetres, highlighting the accuracy of both the engineering calculations and on-site execution.

Live Site Management and Safety Controls

To protect patients, staff, and the public, a significant section of the hospital car park was temporarily closed, with a full exclusion zone maintained throughout the lifting operation.

The 500t crane slewed each load into position, while a specialist contractor skated the plant room and chillers into their final rooftop locations.

Planning, Engineering, and Execution

The project was underpinned by extensive preparatory work from Ainscough’s planning and drawing office, including:

• Multiple site visits

• Detailed lift plans and method statements

• Comprehensive risk assessments

• Temporary removal of street furniture

Marcus Leyshon coordinated the planning and documentation process, while Mark Brown supported lifting tackle selection and configuration. An eight-point lift arrangement was engineered to accommodate the offset centre of gravity of the loads.

Despite the complexity of the operation, the lift was completed several hours ahead of schedule.

Industry Expertise in Action

Bob Beardmore commented:

“This was a highly challenging lift in a constrained, live environment, but the teamwork between our site crew, planning office, and the client ensured a safe and successful outcome. It’s a great example of Ainscough’s engineering expertise and commitment to delivering complex projects safely and efficiently.”

About Ainscough Crane Hire

Ainscough Crane Hire is the UK’s largest crane hire company, providing contract lifting, heavy crane operations, and engineered lifting solutions across infrastructure, healthcare, energy, construction, and industrial sectors.

With a nationwide depot network and a specialist heavy cranes division, Ainscough supports some of the UK’s most complex and sensitive lifting operations, combining engineering excellence with a strong safety-first culture.

🔗 Visit: https://www.ainscough.co.uk

About Skanska

Skanska is one of the world’s leading construction and project development companies, delivering major infrastructure, healthcare, and commercial projects across the UK and globally. The company is known for its collaborative approach, sustainability focus, and expertise in complex live-environment construction.

🔗 Visit: https://www.skanska.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

What crane was used for the lift?

A 500-tonne crane fitted with a 77-metre luffing fly jib, supported by a 60-tonne rigging crane.

What was installed at Royal Derby Hospital?A prefabricated plant room, two chillers, and associated steelwork were lifted to the rooftop.

Why was the lift particularly challenging?

The operation took place in a live hospital environment, with limited space, sloping ground conditions, underground services, and extremely tight clearances during rigging.

How were ground pressures managed?

A bespoke solution using ekki timber mats, standard crane mats, and engineered load distribution was implemented.

Was the project completed on time?

Yes despite the complexity, the lift was completed several hours ahead of schedule.