Fastlift Cranes is confident that South Africa will be responsive to the powerful, versatile, silent, fully electric, remote-controlled compact cranes from Dutch manufacturer Hoeflon, as the country grows to adopt more environment-friendly, carbon-neutral equipment in response to climate change.

Consequently, Fastlift Cranes, which was appointed the official dealer of Hoeflon in South Africa in November 2023, is increasing its stock of electric cranes.

The company currently showcases the capabilities of the Hoeflon compact crane using the fully electric C6e mini crane, which can be towed using a double-cab bakkie. Fastlift Cranes has further invested in additional stock to support market demand and eagerly awaits the imminent delivery to further showcase the versatility of the range.

“Often referred to as mini cranes, spider cranes, compact cranes or compact crawlers, these extremely powerful and versatile cranes cater for various industries and applications. Working in confined or restricted spaces has never been easier,” says Fastlift Cranes MD Bradley Medcalf.

These cranes have an eight-hour duty cycle, with only a five-hour recharge, and are used and trusted by professionals worldwide, he adds.

“The range is unlike anything South Africa has seen before and we are excited about the future prospects that the Hoeflon cranes will bring. Compact cranes and/or mini cranes is one of the fastest-growing crane market segments in the world, where the possibilities are truly endless.”

Designed specifically for confined spaces, all the models are similar in terms of functionality and programming, differing in size with lifting capacities ranging from 550 kg to 9 000 kg. The cranes are also equipped with hydraulically adjustable and extendable legs, allowing the user to position the crane as they desire.

The fully electric equipment is ideal for operating indoors, where diesel emissions need to be avoided for health and safety reasons. Customers appreciate the quiet aspect of electric operation, making it easy to communicate effortlessly during work, adds Medcalf.

“We hope that the electric versions in stock will gain significant traction in the coming months, becoming as popular as they are in Europe. The diesel versions of these compact cranes are also still available.”

He highlights that orders for diesel options have recently been received for operations in Senegal and Mozambique.

The Hoeflon compact cranes are just as effective outdoors as they are indoors, capable of navigating various terrains.

“These cranes are so versatile that they can work in any arena. We’ve had enquiries from people in steel erection, glazing, construction, agriculture and forestry to marine, mining and offshore. There’s not an industry where these cranes couldn’t possibly be used,” emphasises Medcalf.

The Hoeflon range can be operated by one individual, eliminating the need for additional manpower.

“Everything that’s on the crane, from the removal of counterweights to adding extra fly jibs or accessories can all either be done by the crane or the operator,” explains Medcalf.

He adds that the cranes are extremely easy to operate, with operator licences available from sector educators and accredited training providers.

On Growth Path

Established in 2006, Hoeflon is thoroughly invested in its product offering and has experienced exceptional growth over the past 18 years, says Medcalf.

“The company is at the forefront of compact cranes, with more than 1 000 cranes already sold worldwide, with plans to build a duplicate manufacturing facility starting next year. Hoeflon is consistently re-investing in its business and brand.”

Hoeflon has two sister companies. One company produces the batteries for the machines, while the other develops the hardware and software. The remote controls are also made in-house.

While there is generally a six-month waiting list, Fastlift Cranes currently has enough stock to reduce this lead time to between five and six weeks.

Where customers require assistance with breakdowns, Medcalf highlights that such assistance can be offered remotely.

“Using the error code, we can determine the root cause of the problem using the Hoeflon service centre. We didn’t even need to drive to site to see the crane the last time there was an issue. It only took us 45 minutes to resolve the problem remotely.”

Routine maintenance should be performed every 250 hours.

Each crane comes with a full list of suggested spares. However, Fastlift Cranes also keeps a comprehensive list of spares in stock to ensure minimal downtime.