Life's a beach when you work with Sabrina
Problem:
Filming a sand sculpture on a beach when there's the tide, sinking sand and the general public to contend with is no mean feat. That was the challenge facing Frank PR when the company was tasked with creating an advert using time-lapse photography for Trans Pennine Express on Scarborough Seafront.
Using a cherry picker provided one solution but key concerns remained: manoeuvring the machine with the public constantly in close proximity and only one access ramp onto the beach, which was a fair distance from where the film crew needed to be.
Solution:
The promenade was chosen as the best filming location and Sabrina was selected as the ideal cherry picker as she's easy to manoeuvre and set-up, and takes up minimum space. Sabrina's great outreach at low level also made her the right choice as her basket could be 'swung out' from the promenade over the beach, providing the perfect perspective for filming.
We carried out a site visit to determine the best location on the beach for the sculpture to take place and then contacted Scarborough Borough Council to get permission for Sabrina's spot. She needed to be situated between spaces that had already been allocated to trade stands, which we achieved, and arrived early on the day of filming to minimise disruption to both traders and the public.
And the outcome?
Stunning artwork filmed from a very different and creative perspective, and a happy customer who was impressed with Sabrina's performance and reliability, and the overall service we provided.
Sabrina solves Boggle Hole access issues
Problem:
A youth hostel tucked away in an old smuggler's cove sounds idyllic but when it comes to painting and decorating the exterior of the building, its location is less than ideal.
Boggle Hole YHA is situated on the North York Moors National Park coast and its owners were faced with extreme access problems when the building needed maintaining.
The challenges included finding a piece of machinery that could reach the hostel via a steep single track mile-long road with no passing places and contend with the 1-in-4 gradient slipway onto the beach at the end of the track.
Once on the beach, the piece of access machinery would then have to reach the property via another steep slipway - if it hadn't already got bogged down on the beach. And with the hostel built into a hillside, the access platform had to be able to level itself on the terrain to operate safely.
Solution:
The hostel's owners maintenance contractors approached us with their awkward access dilemma and requested a 15m access platform so they could safely paint and decorate at height. Once we'd taken a complete brief, the solution was clear: Sabrina. We selected our 15m tracked spider access platform as we knew she was lightweight and could be towed on a trailer behind a suitable 4x4 to make navigating the track and slipways safe and stress-free.
Using a tracked spider means there is less ground pressure, so Sabrina's weight was spread over the area allowing her to travel across sand and seaweed without sinking.
Sabrina's hydraulic outrigger stabilising legs were ideal for keeping her level during operation but one factor was out of Sabrina's control: the tide. Both delivery and collection had to be undertaken across the beach during low tide as although Sabrina can paddle, she can't swim!
And the outcome?
Sabrina was part of the Boggle Hole team for over a week and she performed exceptionally. Our client was extremely pleased with how she operated and the youth hostel now features a freshly painted exterior which was achieved without stress, hassle or compromising safety.
No trouble at t'mill thanks to Sophie
Problem:
Renovating a historical mill without causing damage to the surrounding environment or the building itself was the challenge faced by Novus Property Solutions. The Yorkshire company was commissioned to renovate The Black Mill in Beverley, a windmill tower originally used to grind corn from local farms which was rebuilt in 1803.
The Mill is located on a hill in the middle of a conservation area, so the client was concerned about getting an access platform on site without causing damage. It faced the challenge of hiring a large enough machine to undertake the task but one which needed to be lightweight enough to prevent damaging the ground or the Mill through the machine's vibrations. Weight wasn't the only concern; Novus Property Solutions also knew that there was an access issue due to a large ditch, dug to prevent vehicles from driving across the field.
Solution:
Having worked with Sophie before, the client was keen to hire her again. They were confident that she was the right lady for the job as she's light, easy to manoeuvre and is extremely svelte, enabling her to reach every part of the Mill. A site visit was arranged to establish the best point to traverse the ditch and the best route to take through the field to the Mill to cause the minimum of disruption.
And the outcome?
Sophie, tracked spiderlift cherrypicker from High Reaching Solutions used for decorating an historic building Malton York. The refurbishment of The Black Mill at Beverley was successfully completed on time without any damage to the environment. Sophie maintained her flawless reputation and exceptional performance record and was as reliable as always. In fact, the client was so pleased they immediately booked her for another project in York!
Hotel's tight space is no match for svelte Sophie
Problem:
The replacement of a fire escape at The Clifton Hotel in Scarborough was unquestionably a two-machine job. But when the working space is confined and the ground slopes sharply in two directions, finding space for two machines is problematic.
Bradweld Fabrications was tasked with the large-scale project of removing an old fire escape and replacing it with a new one by the owner's of this Victorian cliff top hotel. The restricted working space meant that the large mobile crane required to lift the steelwork had to be situated in one specific place. However, this then limited the space for the cherry picker - and the type of cherry picker that could be used.
Solution:
Sophie was the tracked spider access platform selected for this project because she's light, easy to manoeuvre and is svelte. She also has adjustable tracks, a fly-jib and a rotating basket - all essential for weaving in and out of the fire escape steelwork.
A site visit was arranged and measurements of the area were taken. As the client had no previous experience of using a tracked access platform, we explained the benefits of Sophie's dimensions in terms of getting her into the very tight areas required. We also explained her boom configurations which would be required in these tight working confines.
And the outcome?
In true Sophie style, tight areas were accessed and she was in a safe working position in relation to the mobile crane. Sophie and the crane worked well together, resulting in the efficient removal of the old fire escape and successful installation of the new one - all within the required timeframe.
The client was pleasantly surprised by Sophie's abilities and her performance, in particular how she accessed the very tight confines with ease and was able to complete the tasks without a hitch.
Sophie ramps up canal-side renovation project
Problem:
When a converted mill in Huddersfield required repairs and decoration to its external windows, it sounded like a simple task for a tracked spider access platform - but this was no run of the mill project.
Novus Property Solutions brought us on board to help them with a particularly challenging access issue; getting a cherry picker on site next to a canal with only one way in and out: down a steep, narrow ramp accessed through a narrow gap in the stone wall and across an uneven, deep stone step. This was before the uneven ground conditions next to the canal had been tackled.
Solution:
Sophie was no stranger to the client; they had worked with her on several occasions in the past. So thanks to her faultless track record, they requested her services once again knowing she is easy to use and highly capable of undertaking this challenging task.
Her light weight, easy manoeuvrability, wide set tracks for stability over rough ground and rotating basket meant she was ideal for these conditions.
When we saw the condition and steepness of the ramp, after the immediate shock we thought carefully and we came up with a plan to overcome these extensive obstacles. Using pieces of wood for 'packing' used in conjunction with the ramps from our trailer meant we could build a safe, makeshift ramp to eradicate the problem posed by the deep stone step. Sophie's transition to the stone ramp was therefore smoother and safer.
And the outcome?
Sophie accessed the canal-side site with ease using the ramp, and the repairs and decoration took place as planned. In the client's words: 'Shane, we really didn't think you'd get Sophie down that ramp but we're bloody glad you did, cheers!' Quite. We didn’t think we could, either!
Georgian B&B now boasts spotless guttering thanks to Sophie
Problem:
Cleaning out guttering is never easy but when the owner of Poppleton House, a stunning Georgian home-turned B&B in a North Yorkshire village, needed this essential maintenance task undertaken she had several concerns about using a cherry picker.
Firstly, there was a conservatory which would need to be 'reached over' and a well maintained garden and decorative garden which she didn't want damaged. To add to her concerns, one side of the Grade II listed property was only accessible through a narrow wrought iron gate with a path leading to the much-loved garden.
Solution:
In a word: Sophie. As one of easiest to use spider tracked access platforms, Sophie is light weight, easy to manoeuvre, has a narrow track setting and has a rotating basket, making her the perfect lady for the conditions at Poppleton House.
Carrying out a site survey allowed us to plan how we'd access each area of the building. When it came to the densely planted garden, only accessible through the gate, the client was surprised that a machine would be able to fit through the gate and undertake the task without damaging the plants.
And the outcome?
Spotless gutters and an unspoilt garden. It took time to place Sophie's legs to ensure they didn't damage the plants but the result was that everything went to plan and, as the client said, 'Now that it's finished, you wouldn't know you've been here. Thank you Shane!' And we can confirm, no plants were harmed in the production of this solution.
Sophie goes to school to inspect and repair roof
Problem:
Inspecting and repairing the roof of an old Jacobean manor with a 19th century wing requires a 21st century solution, especially as the preservation of old flag stones and accessibility were causing the client concern.
Welburn Hall School and College, located in North Yorkshire, is for children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs. When the time came to assess the condition of this stunning building's roof, the school’s maintenance contractors called upon our services.
The client was concerned about finding a machine large enough to do the work but one which could still get through a narrow old stone arch; the only access to one side of the building. This was in addition to being apprehensive that the chosen machine would damage old flag stones as it travelled over them.
Solution:
A light weight machine with low ground pressure point-loading and with the ability to reach high areas; that's why Sophie was top of the class when it came to selecting a suitable cherry picker. She's easy to use, manoeuvrable, has a narrow track setting, a remote control system and a rotating basket: the essential ingredients for the Welburn Hall project.
The client had already booked Sophie but by undertaking a site survey, we were able to clarify the client's requirements and allay any concerns.
And the outcome?
Sophie was a star pupil; she passed through the arch with room to spare and worked hard to get the inspection and repairs completed as planned. The client was pleased with the results and appreciated our site visit to confirm that they'd chosen the correct lady for the job!
Lottie glides in to Clear the gutters
Problem:
A 200-year-old Mill hadn’t had the guttering cleaned out for many years due to extremely poor access. The walls also had ‘carpets’ of Ivy removed by pulling it from the ground, unfortunately, some of the Ivy resisted and clung to the walls. There were also other high-level building maintenance issues that needed attention.
The sloping, undulating, soft and sodden ground adjacent to the Mill walls was also overgrown with vegetation which made traversing and setting up of any cherrypicker very challenging.
On the initial survey we planned to bring ‘Sophie’ our Platform Basket 18.90 Pro through the factory as she was the only machine, when set on narrow to reduce her height to 1.935m and short enough in length, to negotiate the corridor and turn 90 degrees to go through the external door then reach 14m up to the gutters. She would also need to be lifted onto the mezzanine floor by a hiab/telehandler and have a ramp and platform especially made for her for the raised 90 degree turn at the door.
Solution:
The time between the survey and actually arriving at site was quite considerable, at our clients, John Roberts Holdings request. This was so they could clear the ground of vegetation and allow the ground to dry out and be prepped for Sophie. During this time, they approached their neighbour who kindly agreed to allow access across their property for the groundworks and for the tracked spider. This resulted in a larger spider to gain access to the site without having to go through the factory. So, Lottie, our Platform Basket 20.95 Hybrid was chosen for the task. She is as slim as Sophie but has that extra height and outreach and also a dual power system with her batteries.
We unloaded Lottie, our 20m spider, from her trailer on the neighbour’s property, laid some ground protection boards across their grass and tracked Lottie to the boundary fence. After a fence panel on the neighbour’s property was removed, Lottie, was able to pass through onto a narrow public footpath. She was then tracked down the slopped path towards our client’s boundary fence which had been removed in readiness. We moved Lottie using her quiet battery power as we didn’t want to disturb a nest of chicks in the hedge, when we passed by. Once Lottie was on our client’s premises all fencing was restored for security and Lottie was sited and setup ready for work to begin.
And the outcome?
Once sited, Lottie got to work and safely lifted our client’s staff to the high-level working area. Here, they were able to clear out the guttering, inspect the surrounding roof for damage and for possible future issues. The Ivy was also cleared on the way back down.
As you can see from the accompanying photos, especially the one of the ‘Swan neck’ pipe, Lottie was desperately needed.
The client was amazed at how Lottie managed to gain access to the site and do what she did! They said she'll be welcomed back when next needed.