While traditional tower cranes are operated from a raised cab with additional slinger signallers on the ground to manage the load, pedestrian self erecting tower cranes are directed remotely by radio control from the ground anywhere within the 40m radius of the crane. This allows the operator a greater degree of accuracy in carrying out the lift as well as eliminating the requirement for a separate slinger signaller thus providing a more efficient service. Self-erecting tower cranes can be set up on pre-established bases in under 3 hours. These bases are considerably smaller than those required for traditional tower cranes, requiring only 10 to 25m³ of concrete in a prearranged formation. We can offer clients the structural engineering certificate for designing and constructing the bases should it be required, and careful planning at the beginning of a contract could eliminate many of the problems associated with servicing tight congested sites. These cranes can also implement a slew limitation function that reduces the risk of disruption to sensitive structures within the slew range of these cranes, such as power lines and tall buildings. The first forays of the self-erectors have been for Biwater Leslie at Coulter (near Bigger) and at Roberton (near Hawick) where the cranes have assisted in the construction of Scottish Water infrastructure works. In addition M & J Ballantyne have one erected on their Dewars Lane site at Berwick

Rodger (Builders) Ltd have been operating cranes for over fifty years in the Borders and are now principal suppliers of traditional all-terrain cranes in the South East of Scotland and North Northumberland. We are pleased to announce that a new 100-4 Terex Demag all terrain crane has been ordered for delivery in August 2009 to augment our existing fleet. We are now able to offer cranes from 35 to 100 ton capacity ensuring we remain the preeminent crane supplier in the Scottish Borders with the largest fleet, capacity and most qualified operatives. Recent additions to our fleet include 2 more pedestrian operated self-erecting tower cranes that we propose to operate throughout Scotland and the North East of England, bringing the self erector fleet up to three. In the 18 months to Sept 2009 we will have invested over £1m in plant and training for our lifting division quite apart from the training and capital investments for the other divisions of the company

We specialise in contract lifting and heavy lifting and our principal clients include Tarmac Limited, Biwater Leslie jv, Black & Veatch, Persimmon Homes, Mansell Limited, Balfour Beatty and AMEY. We have specialist equipment attachments including slings, webs, cargo nets, pallet lifters, pallet forks, brick grabs, concrete skips, kettles and lifting beams for all manner of loads. Our lifting operatives are all CPCS approved and carded with a wide range of experiences, including wind farms, quarries, traditional building sites and infrastructure projects. We also have fully trained slinger signallers, appointed persons, lift supervisors, risk assessors and we can also provide complete surveys for those clients who do not have the experience to do their own lift method statements, risk assessments or lifting plans. We are pleased to be able to offer both men and women as operators and slinger signallers.

Our pedestrian operated self-erecting tower cranes are capable of lifting loads of 3 tonnes at close range to 1 tonne at a 41m radius. Although not as versatile as the traditional all-terrain Terex Demag cranes we operate, they do provide considerable benefits in many respects. Such benefits include reduced scaffolding requirements, the ability to operate in very confined spaces obviating the need for teleporters and their attendant crush and collision risks. Teleporters can chew up a site to a veritable quagmire in very short time and this side effect of teleporter use is also negated. Ease of traffic management on a site is greatly assisted by reducing the dependence of sites on teleporters servicing the various trades working on site. In addition, the environmental benefits of operating these cranes can be substantial including a considerable reduction in noise levels whether operating via the mains or a 40Kva whisper generator.