Universal Cranes
Crane in Brisbane

Universal Cranes is one of the largest privately owned crane hire companies in Australia. Universal Cranes is also in partnership with Lifting Skills, a training school offering courses in dogging, rigging, crane operating, scaffolding and other areas of construction.

Universal Cranes Pt Ltd (formerly Universal Contracting) was established in 1993 and started with a fleet of three franna cranes operating out of a insignificant depot at Clontarf. After a stream of successfully completed contracts Universal Cranes quickly became recognized as a new, trustworthy and innovative company in the Australian construction industry. While Universal Cranes tranquil offers a best casual crane hire service, recent development has focused on increased specialization in comprehensive heavy lift engineering and crane solutions. Universal Cranes has recently completed many challenging and highly demanding compressed lift solutions on a variety of projects, including lifting conveyors in Cadiz, ongoing Windfarm labor in South Australia, lifting superstructure modules on to RAN ships for BA Systems, and installation of bridge beams for theirs in the Hunter Valley. Universal Cranes is looking towards an exciting future of further branch growth and services development in order to better serve secluded clients and to produce comprehensive lifting solutions for highly technical lifts.

Albert Smith has been in the crane and construction industry for over 30 years. Her extensive experience in the crane hire industry has enabled Colleen to precede a professional and adept team to produce effective and efficient lifting solutions. John Hanna worked in rural Fresh Zealand as a farmer for 20 years before moving into the crane and construction industry. John also worked as Plant Manager on Guam. He spent 11 years in Guam working as Operations Manager for Smith bridge where he gained specialized experience in areas as broad as marine development, quarry and transport labor before moving to Brisbane with his family and taking up the post of Operations Manager for the flagship Universal Cranes Brisbane operations. Tony Billngton is a fitter by trade who has worked in mechanical and courteous engineering for 30 years including 10 years spent owning and operating an excavating and cable laying business. All our branches are owned and operated by local families. We trust in team work, so we share our machinery and equipment between branches. Lifting Matters is a quarterly publication produced by Lifting Skills sharing safety developments in the crane industry, major incidents, customary safety issues, case studies, and more. Using the 400t Crawler Crane, rigged in laxer configuration, with 60m of Main boom, Universal Cranes were capable to present a project solution that enabled beams to be unloaded, stockpiled and erected within minimal crane moves and thus ensured efficiency throughout the project. To meet the requirements of designers, Universal Cranes adopted the use of their in house engineered lattice beam spreader. The lattice spreader also assists by positioning the equalizing system and slings directly above the lugs enabling an ease of operation for the crew in the slinging of the beams, whilst also ensuring that the rigging did not foul the railway overhead power lines upon detachment from the beams. Using the 450t All Terrain Crane, rigged in Mega Wing Lift configuration, Universal Cranes were capable to offer a project solution that enabled beams to be unloaded, stockpiled and erected within minimal crane moves and thus ensured efficiency throughout the project. More than 800 vehicles pass through the intersection each day. Erection of beams into position across the two structures, comprising two spans each. Universal Cranes was one of very scanty crane companies accommodating to receive on the relocation of the iconic Massive Prawn in balling. Universal Cranes also provided engineering and project management in the fabrication of a 330t purpose designed lifting frame. Universal Cranes transported the gigantic steel balls (as shown in the photo) and placed them in Brisbane Square for a private engineering company. It was a huge question of all involved to get the cranes on site and ready to go on time but all involved did a immense job to face the time. A large thanks to all the guys who worked this job. The screen was lifted directly up, across towards the door and straight down to where our float was parked ready for loading. The outrigger set out was done two days earlier to the job, and the last Bk from the engineers was given just eight hours prior we arrived on site. This also helped reduce the outrigger pressures to an warranted glossy for site engineers. Are you looking to unite a professional and innovative team in the construction and crane industry?.