Construction

As construction projects progress, access often becomes increasingly restricted. What was once an open site can quickly become a complex environment of completed structures, installed services, finished walkways, and multiple trades all working simultaneously. At this stage, lifting equipment must be compact enough to navigate through standard doorways and confined access routes, while remaining capable of handling demanding lifting tasks safely and efficiently.

The RML is designed specifically for these challenges. Compact enough to pass through an 800mm doorway, it provides exceptional manoeuvrability without compromising on lifting performance. Operators can switch between counterbalance and forward-facing configurations within a single unit, allowing the lifter to adapt to changing site constraints while maintaining safe working loads and operational flexibility.

Its six-point castor system delivers smooth, controlled movement through congested work areas, while the virtually silent winch helps minimise noise and disruption in busy environments.

Renovation and retrofit projects present unique lifting challenges, particularly when working within existing structures. Low ceilings, restricted access routes, and permanent building features can make traditional lifting equipment, such as forklift trucks or expanding mast systems, impractical or impossible to use.

The challenge becomes even greater when heavy loads need to be repositioned once lifted. With adjustable A-frame heights, the standard 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 tonne models, the Porta Gantry can be configured to operate in spaces with ceiling heights as low as 2.1 metres, making them ideal for confined indoor environments.

Once suspended, loads can be moved smoothly along the beam for precise positioning. Where greater flexibility is required, the entire gantry can be safely manoeuvred under load using directional-lock castors, reducing the need for multiple lifts or equipment changes.

Unlike steerable load skates, which require operators to work in close proximity to the moving load and continually adjust the direction of travel, the Porta-Gantry provides a more controlled lifting and movement solution. This helps reduce the risk of load displacement, improves operational safety, and allows materials to be positioned efficiently within restricted or occupied spaces.

Construction and refurbishment projects often require heavy materials, plant, or equipment to be moved between different levels. In many cases, restricted headroom, limited access, or site constraints make larger powered lifting equipment impractical or impossible to use.

The Porta Gantry range is designed to overcome these challenges, providing a flexible lifting solution where conventional equipment cannot operate. By combining different-sized A-frames, operators can create a level lifting beam while accommodating height differences of more than 4 metres. This allows loads of up to 2000kg to be safely traversed across spans of up to 7.4 metres, making it ideal for transferring materials between floors, over obstacles, or across uneven elevations.

To ensure precise and controlled load movement, Reid offers multiple travel options. For loads up to 2000kg, a gear-driven trolley provides smooth, controlled traversing along the beam. For applications requiring greater control, particularly when operators are positioned at one end of the gantry, the shackled cheek plate system enables accurate load positioning and directional movement.

Ground conditions can vary dramatically throughout a construction project, from finished surfaces with high compressive strength to temporary access routes, backfilled areas, and unfinished ground. Yet lifting requirements remain constant at every stage.

The Porta Gantry Pneumatic is designed to deliver high-capacity lifting while minimising the impact placed on the surface below. Supporting loads of up to 3000kg, each pneumatic castor exerts a ground pressure of just 0.75 MPa, helping distribute loads more effectively across less dense or sensitive surfaces.

Combined with rotational locking castors, the system can be manoeuvred under load, allowing equipment, materials, and components to be positioned precisely without the need for repeated lifting and repositioning. This makes the Porta Gantry Pneumatic particularly well suited to construction projects at every stage of development, as well as applications such as rooftop HVAC installation and maintenance where ground loading, mobility, and lifting performance are critical considerations.

Access to construction sites is often constrained by built-up roadways, pedestrianised areas, restricted access windows, and limited height or width clearances. These factors can make it difficult to move larger lifting equipment quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. Reid’s products are designed with portability and efficient transportation in mind, helping contractors overcome these restrictions without compromising lifting performance.

Even high-capacity systems, such as the Porta Gantry, can be broken down into manageable components weighing less than 50kg, allowing the equipment to be transported, carried, and assembled on site with minimal manual handling.

For later-stage construction or high-rise environments, Reid’s split beam system enables a 3metre operating span to be transported in a standard-sized elevator, increasing versatility while reducing the logistical challenges associated with moving lifting equipment through completed or restricted areas.

For ongoing maintenance, façade access, and cleaning applications, Reid’s TDavit system, designed specifically for rope access, can be combined with the Porta Base Counterbalance system to create a compact over-edge rope access solution. The system can be broken down, moved around site, and repositioned as required, making safe access and lifting possible even in challenging or hard-to-reach locations.

As the focus on worker wellbeing increases across construction sites, there is growing demand to reduce or eliminate manual handling wherever possible.

While reducing direct operator involvement is the preferred approach, it is not always achievable. In these situations, easy-to-access, portable lifting solutions are essential to maintain productivity, reduce downtime, and prevent workers from resorting to unsafe manual methods.

The Reid Porta Gantry Rapide supports this need by providing a quick-deploy lifting solution capable of lifting up to 1000kg. Designed for portability, storage, and rapid deployment, PGR units weigh as little as 38kg and can be assembled in seconds by a single operator. Once built, the portable gantry can be used with a chain hoist to traverse a load across a beam of up to 4m, or fitted with a winch to provide controlled personnel lifting up to 500kg. After use, the system folds down into a compact footprint and can be rolled to its storage location using the integrated transport wheel.