Lee Lifting deploys new all terrain crane for UK film productions

UK crane rental firm Lee Lifting added a Grove GMK5250XL-1 to its fleet to support rigging work across the UK’s growing film and television industry.

Delivered in March, the 250 tonne, five-axle all terrain crane offers high lifting capacity and flexible configurations ideal for complex production environments, manufacturer Manitowoc said. With a 78.5 metre main boom, dual winches and a hydraulic luffing jib, the crane is already on the job, handling aerial lighting, stunts and other set requirements.

The UK’s Lee Lifting, which specializes in supplying cranes to the film industry, has added a new Grove GMK5250XL-1 to its fleet.

“Originally, we were going for a smaller capacity crane, but we switched to the Grove GMK5250XL-1 after evaluating upcoming projects and realizing we needed more flexibility and specs that met our evolving needs,” said Jody Whitmore at Lee Lifting. “It’s the highest capacity crane on five axles, which offers more lifting power without jumping up to a six-axle crane that would be harder to manage and fit on jobsites.”

The company also specified Maxbase technology and additional controls to improve precision in tight, ever-changing work zones.

The GMK5250XL-1 joins Lee Lifting’s GMK5150L and GMK3060L, continuing a relationship with Grove that began in 2017. Lee Lifting’s feedback has influenced updates to Grove models, and the company continues to tailor its machines to meet the demands of today’s high-pressure film sets.

“A film set is a dynamic environment that requires constant repositioning,” Whitmore added. “That extra functionality makes a big difference.”