Trucker Tim Takes on the Crane Challenge at Convoy in the Park | MV Commercial

Trucker Tim Takes on the MV Commercial Crane Challenge

After leading the race trucks around Donington Park in the MV Commercial pace truck, Trucker Tim swapped horsepower for hydraulics as he took on the HTF Skills Academy Lorry Loader Challenge at Convoy in the Park.

Anyone can look confident standing beside a crane truck. Guiding a suspended steel pin through five precision targets while the clock is running and a crowd is watching is a very different matter.

From Pace Truck Driver to Crane Operator

While Trucker Tim started the day at Convoy in the Park in his familiar environment, taking an MV Commercial DAF show truck onto the circuit as the pace truck ahead of the British Truck Racing Championship field, his next challenge required a completely different set of skills.

The racetrack was replaced by a four-station precision novice course, with the steering wheel made way for the crane controls on the Palfinger remote. Under the supervision of the experienced team from HTF Skills Academy, Tim was tasked with manoeuvring the suspended pin between the numbered targets as quickly and accurately as possible.

The challenge appeared simple from the sidelines, but the combination of crane movement, load swing and increasingly tight targets soon tested Tim’s concentration.

Every adjustment had to be carefully judged. Move too quickly and the pin would begin to swing. Approach at the wrong angle and valuable seconds could disappear while the pin was swinging wildly.

Friendly Rivalry with Sandy

Tim was not the only familiar face brave enough to take on the course.

Sandy from Flat Out Flat Broke had already completed his own attempt, setting a novice time on Sat two minutes and 3 seconds. That gave Tim a clear target and created plenty of friendly rivalry beside the controls.

Despite a few difficult moments around the closer targets, Tim worked his way around the full course and recorded a time of just over 4 minutes.

Both men demonstrated that being an experienced truck driver does not automatically make you an experienced crane operator. Safe and efficient crane operation requires a separate combination of training, planning, coordination and precision.

It is probably fair to say they are both still better behind the wheel.

Powered by a Scania Cabin Spec and Palfinger PK62

The challenge was completed using one of MV Commercial’s latest specialist builds, a Scania cabin spec truck fitted with a Palfinger PK62 crane.

Fresh from MV Commercial’s manufacturing operation, the vehicle provided an impressive centrepiece for the challenge and attracted plenty of attention throughout the weekend.

While the Palfinger crane is designed to handle demanding lifting work, the HTF challenge demonstrated another important part of crane performance: control.

On a working site, operators regularly need to position materials and equipment accurately around buildings, vehicles, scaffolding and other obstructions. Raw lifting power matters, but it must be combined with smooth movement, good visibility and a properly trained operator.

The challenge recreated that need for control in a safe, competitive environment, giving experienced operators and complete novices an opportunity to appreciate the skills involved.

Celebrating Professional Crane Operators

The Lorry Loader Challenge was one of the most popular activities on the MV Commercial stand at Convoy in the Park, with visitors stepping forward throughout the weekend to test their abilities.

Working alongside HTF Skills Academy allowed MV Commercial to showcase much more than the capability of the truck and crane. It also helped highlight the importance of professional instruction and the standards required to operate lifting equipment safely.

The experienced HTF team guided every participant through the controls and remained on hand throughout each attempt. For some entrants, it was an opportunity to compare their skills against other trained operators. For others, including Trucker Tim and Sandy, it was a first-hand introduction to just how demanding crane operation can be.

It was competitive, entertaining and occasionally frustrating, but it also gave the operators who perform this work every day the recognition they deserve.

Looking for a Crane Truck for Hire or Sale?

MV Commercial supplies one of the widest selections of specialist crane trucks for hire and sale in the UK.

Our range includes crane rigids, crane artics, cabin spec trucks, cheesewedges, beavertails and bespoke lift-and-shift vehicles fitted with cranes from leading manufacturers including Palfinger, HIAB and Cormach.

Vehicles are available through outright purchase, hire, lease and rent-to-buy, with Ready to Go stock and bespoke build options available to suit different operating requirements.

To discuss your next crane truck, call MV Commercial on 01236 280 280 or view our latest crane trucks online.