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Lifting power and reach, and speed, maneuverability and precision, are all capabilities of knuckleboom cranes that have helped Braymore Crane Rental transform their business and take on a growing range of more complex lifting jobs.
Established in 1981 as Braymore Piano Movers and long known as a specialized piano moving and warehousing company based in Ontario, Canada, Braymore’s reputation led to an increasing number of unique lifting jobs. To meet those needs, the company created a specialty moving division and rebranded as Braymore Crane Rental.
When Braymore first identified a need for specialty product movers capable of handling difficult access situations, they initially hired crane rental companies. When moving pianos, noted Greg Martin, co-owner, the company realized that some of the challenges for getting into very tight spots were also faced when lifts were needed on other jobsites. That led to the idea of owning cranes and the decision to venture into the crane rental business.
Today, Braymore’s daily operations involve a wide range of lifts. Beyond the transportation and delivery of pianos, they also cater to the pool and recreation industry, handling deliveries of pools, hot tubs and swim spas. Additionally, Braymore Crane Rental often installs rooftop heating units and hoists roof trusses and building supplies for contractors.
One of the significant challenges Braymore faced was finding a flexible crane that could maneuver delicate and heavy items into restricted spaces. The cranes they had been using lacked the precision and control needed for such intricate jobs, prompting them to seek out more suitable equipment. It was then that Braymore discovered how knuckleboom cranes can work in very tight spaces and get to spots that traditional cranes would not even consider a workable option.
Growing Fleet
Braymore Crane Rental began using PALFINGER knuckleboom cranes in 2009 with their purchase of a PK 23002 unit. As their business grew, so did their need for cranes with greater reach and capacity, so the company upgraded to the PK 65002 SH High Performance crane to expand
their capabilities.
The next step at Braymore, to offer even more lifting power and distance for heavier and more extensive projects, was to add the PALFINGER PK 92002 SH knuckleboom crane to their fleet. The most recent additions to the Braymore Crane Rental operation are the manufacturer’s PK 135.002 TEC 7 and the PK 200002 L SH knuckleboom models.
Martin is quick to point out how the functionality and design of Braymore’s PALFINGER knuckleboom cranes have benefitted the company and its customers. Among the key advantages, he related, are their design for quick setup and operation, enabling Braymore to complete projects more efficiently. In addition, the maneuverability of the knuckleboom design allows for easier positioning of loads with high accuracy, even in tight spaces.
“That is particularly beneficial for delicate operations, such as placing pianos or installing rooftop units on multimillion-dollar homes,” Martin said. “These capabilities have empowered us to undertake a wide variety of projects. The cranes are also dependable, which is crucial in an industry where downtime can be extremely costly.
“Additionally, the knuckleboom cranes are designed with safety as a top priority,” Martin continued. “They are meticulously calibrated to ensure stability in all directions, significantly reducing the risk of accidents on busy jobsites. And their maintenance is straightforward so we can ensure the cranes are always in top shape, ready for any job that comes their way.”
With a fleet of PALFINGER knuckleboom cranes, Martin noted, Braymore Crane Rental can handle tasks that companies with traditional cranes cannot manage. “These cranes are strong, reliable and very predictable,” he said, “When you’re doing big reaches around multimillion-dollar homes, you don’t want to be guessing. You want to know that your crane is up to the task.”
