Lane’s Crane Service Solves Tight Indoor Lift with Tadano AC 7.450-1
- Meagan Wood
- Sep 21, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 1
30-Second Takeaway
Lane’s Crane Service of Moosic, Pennsylva nia used its recently acquired Tadano AC 7.450-1 all-terrain crane to install four 37-foot-tall, 19,000 lb beverage tanks inside Joriki USA’s bottling plant under a 41-foot ceiling. By using the crane’s 263-foot main boom with the Sideways Superlift System (SSL), the team avoided the need for a luffing jib, reducing transport costs, setup time, and on-site space requirements while completing a highly constrained lift through the facility roof.
A Tight Lift Inside an Active Bottling Plant
Lane’s Crane Service was tasked with a challenging indoor installation at Joriki USA, a beverage bottling company operating under severe height restrictions. The project required erecting four vertical tanks, each standing 37 feet (11 m) tall and weighing 19,000 lb (8.6 t) all beneath 41-foot (12.5 m) ceiling joists.
With minimal overhead clearance and no access through standard doorways, the only feasible solution was to lift the tanks through the roof and carefully lower them into position on the plant floor.
Why the AC 7.450-1 Was the Right Crane
Lane’s selected its Tadano AC 7.450-1, purchased through Empire Crane, specifically for its exceptional main boom reach and SSL capability.
By deploying the crane’s 263-foot (80 m) main boom with the Sideways Superlift System, the crew eliminated the need for a luffing jib a decision that significantly reduced:
Transportation logistics
Crane assembly time
Required setup footprint
Matthew Lane of Lane’s Crane Service explained:
“We chose this crane due to its long reach and ability to do the job with main boom only, as well as its efficiency when being assembled on site.”
Assembly in Less Than Three Hours
Avoiding a luffing jib also minimized site congestion and streamlined crane setup. With just one operator and two crew members, the AC 7.450-1 was fully assembled in less than three hours, including:
Full 263-foot main boom
SSL configuration
Full counterweight package
This efficiency proved critical in a live industrial environment where downtime directly impacts production.
Lifting Through the Roof
The most delicate phase of the operation involved positioning the tanks inside the building. Because the ceiling height allowed only a narrow margin, Lane’s Crane Service coordinated the creation of small rectangular roof openings, each precisely aligned over the tank’s final position.
The openings were sized just large enough to allow the hook block to pass through, leaving no room for error.
To maintain control during the vertical transition, the crew used a 35,000 lb (16 t) forklift as a tail crane, stabilizing each tank from below as it was raised, rotated, and lowered into place.
This method allowed all four tanks to be installed safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to the facility.
Compact Power with Big-Crane Performance
Tadano America All-Terrain Product Manager Hutton Strader highlighted the crane’s design advantage:
“Tadano put a lot of thought into the design of this machine, which is effectively a 7-axle crane that competes like an 8-axle but has the space envelope closer to a 6-axle. It’s a lot of strength and reach in a relatively compact package.”
That balance of capacity, reach, and footprint made the AC 7.450-1 especially well-suited for this confined industrial lift.
About Lane’s Crane Service
Lane’s Crane Service is a Pennsylvania-based crane rental and lifting contractor serving industrial, commercial, and infrastructure clients throughout the Northeast. The company specializes in complex lifts, tight-access projects, and precision installations requiring advanced planning and experienced crews.
About Tadano
Tadano is a global leader in mobile lifting solutions, known for its focus on safety, quality, and efficiency. Its all-terrain crane lineup combines long reach, compact design, and advanced control systems to support demanding applications across construction, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.
Learn More🔗 https://www.tadano.com
About Empire Crane
Empire Crane is an authorized Tadano distributor providing sales, rental, service, parts, and training support across the United States. The company works closely with contractors to match equipment solutions to real-world jobsite challenges.
Learn More🔗 https://www.empirecrane.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was a luffing jib not required for this lift?
The AC 7.450-1’s 263-foot main boom and SSL configuration provided sufficient reach and capacity without the need for a jib.
How tall were the tanks being installed?
Each tank measured 37 feet (11 m) tall and weighed 19,000 lb (8.6 t).
How was access achieved inside the building?
The lifts were performed through precisely sized roof openings aligned directly over each tank’s final position.
What was used to stabilize the tanks during lifting?
A 35,000 lb (16 t) forklift acted as a tail crane to maintain control during vertical placement.
How long did crane assembly take?
Less than three hours, using one operator and two crew members.
