Jamie King has been in the crane sector for 20-plus years and has been operating his own crane hire business, Kings Cranes, for 10 years. He recently took delivery of a new TIDD PC28 articulated pick and carry crane from TRT Australia. He describes the crane as a ‘game changer’ for his business.
King started in cranes as a junior, learning all aspects of the rigging side of lifting, and progressed to becoming a crane operator. He was originally based in Mackay but then followed the crane work all over Queensland.
Today, Kings Cranes services an area covering the Bowen Basin to the Whitsundays.
“Shutdown work in the coal mines is a major focus for the business, but we are also servicing work in the rail sector, main roads, as well as general hire, where we manage general taxi work and conduct lifts around town as well,” he said.
“Customers that know me understand how I operate, and they know I have access to any size of crane, which I will hire in for a particular job and operate the crane if required. I am just starting to build my fleet now. I’ve got a 20t capacity Franna that I’ve had for nearly 10 years, and recently brought a brand-new TIDD PC28 from TRT Australia.
“Although I’ve only been operating the TIDD for a couple of months it already has 550 hours on the clock. It pretty much hasn’t stopped working since I got it. I’ve been so impressed with its performance and the reception my customers have given it, I’ve ordered a second TIDD, and this is due to arrive at the end of the year or early in the new year,” said King.
He goes on to discuss the reasons for purchasing the TIDD, especially when he’s been driving a Franna pick and carry for such a long time.
