Machine Moving & Rigging.

Tandem hydraulic gantries. Jack-and-slide systems. Factory relocations. When the load is too heavy for a single crane, too tight for access, or too valuable to risk — rigging is the right tool.

Red-ticket (Grade A) riggers on every job — qualified, supervised, equipped

Calibrated gear — slings, beams, spreader bars, hydraulic jacks

Up to 400 ton tandem gantry capacity

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Some lifts are not crane jobs. A 300-ton transformer that needs to land inside a substation hall with three metres of headroom can't be picked by a mobile boom — there's no room. A factory move that involves taking a 60-ton press out through a roof opening, walking it across the workshop and dropping it onto a new plinth needs hydraulic gantries, slide tracks and an operator who's done it before. That's rigging.

Tandem hydraulic gantries

Four-leg hydraulic gantry systems with synchronous lift control. They lift from above, no boom required. Perfect for low-headroom installations — refinery process areas, substation halls, factory bays. Capacity up to 400 ton in our standard fleet, with sub-coordinated access to larger systems for specialist jobs. Hydraulic jacks running synchronously place a load to the millimetre.

Remote-controlled crane truck working alongside a rigging team

Jack-and-slide systems

When a load needs to move horizontally as well as vertically, jack-and-slide is the answer. Hydraulic jacks lift the load onto skidding tracks; PTFE-faced slide bearings let it walk across the floor with minimal friction. We use this for transformer placements at substations where access is too restricted for a mobile crane, and for factory equipment moves where lifting out and craning in would mean structural modifications.

Factory relocations

Complete factory relocations — disassembly, transport, reassembly, commissioning. CNC machines, presses, conveyor lines, robotic cells, mill bodies. We coordinate the disconnection, lift-out, abnormal load transport, lift-in at the new site, and re-anchoring. One project manager, one timeline, one quote. For overseas-bound equipment we coordinate the container loading and port handling too.

Red-ticket riggers

Every rigging job is staffed with at least one Grade A (red-ticket) rigger as rigger-in-charge, supported by additional riggers depending on the complexity. Rigging gear comes calibrated and tagged — slings, beams, spreader bars, hydraulic jacks, all with current load test certificates. Method statements, lift plans and risk assessments are signed off before mobilisation, not improvised on site.

Where rigging shines

Substation transformer placements. Where the substation hall doesn't allow mobile crane access.
Refinery shutdowns. Heat exchanger removal, column replacements, in-plant equipment moves.
Press & CNC machine relocations. 30–80 ton machine bases that need lifting through roof openings.
Generator placements. Standby and prime-rated gensets onto plant-room plinths via overhead access.
Pressure vessel installation. Horizontal vessels into pre-fabricated saddles, vertical columns tail-rigged and walked into position.
Conveyor & mill section moves. Where dismantling and reassembly is more practical than crane lifting.

Machine moving & rigging questions

What's the heaviest machine you've moved?+

A 400-ton tandem gantry placement of a horizontal pressure vessel — yellow Enerpac-style hydraulic jacks running synchronously, vessel cradled in a custom spreader frame, placed onto pre-grouted saddles. We've done plenty in the 100–250 ton range across substations and refineries.

Do you provide the rigging crew?+

Yes — every job includes a Grade A (red-ticket) rigger as rigger-in-charge, plus additional riggers depending on lift complexity. All rigging gear comes calibrated and tagged with current load test certificates. If you have your own rigging team you prefer to use, that's fine — just tell us up front so the lift plan reflects who's doing what.

How long does a factory relocation take?+

Depends on the equipment count and complexity. A single CNC machine move runs 2–3 days end-to-end (disconnect, lift-out, transport, lift-in, level). A full production-line relocation can be 2–6 weeks of coordinated work. We scope it in the lift plan before quoting.

Can you handle CNC and precision equipment moves?+

Yes — these are common machine-moving jobs. Precision equipment needs careful handling on transport (vibration management) and accurate releveling on installation. We work with the OEM commissioning teams where required for re-calibration after the move.

Do you have insurance for moving machinery?+

Yes — comprehensive public liability and goods-in-transit insurance covers every job. For high-value equipment we can arrange additional all-risk cover specific to the move on request. Insurance certificates available before mobilisation.