top of page

All Posts


Lifting equipment legal, technical & management course
This course has been designed to assist management to implement and maintain a Safe Lifting Program in the work place. The contents have been carefully selected to cover all the issues that are relevant for management to be legally compliant and for lifting equipment used, to conform to relevant Standards and industry requirements. It will assist management, supervisors, technical, safety and engineering staff to do so. The course covers the different types of lifting equipme


Revitalizing a legacy: boldly moving Chimes Crane Hire into the heavy lift future
For 23 years, Chimes Crane Hire has been a trusted name in lifting, rigging, and transport, a brand built on reliability, technical expertise, and enduring client relationships. Yet in a market defined by accelerating infrastructure demands and complex projects, heritage alone is not enough. Sustainable growth requires vision, leadership, and the courage to evolve. When Bradley de Klerk became Managing Director, he saw the need for change. “We saw a clear opportunity to expan


Forkliftaction: 2025 was a bumpy ride for the materials handling industry
If you could only use one word to describe the global materials handling sector in 2025, it would surely have to be “uncertainty”. The geo-political landscape shifted rapidly through the year as new tariffs on imports into the US were imposed, lifted, threatened and changed. The materials handling sector faced an uncertain year in 2025 This had a seismic impact on the global economy, creating widespread confusion, uncertainty around investments, leading equipment producers to


The case for crane refurbishment
Replacing an overhead crane is costly. There is capital expenditure. There is risk. Not only must the buyer consider the scale of financial outlay, but also any possibility of equipment underperformance, or failure if his choice is wrong. The watchwords are care, and caution too. One viable option, often overlooked, is refurbishment. If the function of the crane has not changed, then refurbishment offers at least three clear advantages: cost savings first; improved crane perf


A brief history of chain slings
Ben Dobbs, Head of Global Standards and Legislation at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), looks at the development of chain grades. Chain slings provide a versatile, durable and safe means of connecting loads to lifting appliances, but they must be used in the correct manner to avoid dangerous lifting practices and service damage. Unfortunately, this has not always been the case and many slings have been subjected to great abuse in service. Chain slings manuf


Wacker Neuson brings Weidemann to Africa with the debut of the T7042 telehandler
Wacker Neuson South Africa is extremely proud to announce the introduction of the globally trusted, precision-engineered German telehandler brand, Weidemann, to Sub-Sahara Africa’s agricultural sector. This strategic move ushers in a new force set to elevate productivity and performance across the region’s farming landscape.“Our introduction of Weidemann to the South and Sub-Saharan African market reinforces our long-term growth vision for Africa and marks a defining moment i


YOKE Supports South Africa with LEEASA Membership, CPD Provision
YOKE Industrial Corp. is now a validated Continuing Professional Development (CPD) service provider of the Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of SA (LEEASA). YOKE, a LEEASA member, is a renowned supplier of hardware, including Grade 80 and Grade 100 lifting chain fittings; swivel hoist hooks; shackles; angular contact swivels; wire rope clips; and lifting points. LEEASA was formed by like-minded organisations and individuals from the providers and manufacturers, in add


R1 Trillion investment in South Africa’s construction sector to drive over 320,000 jobs by 2029
The public infrastructure investment plan announced by the Government through 2027 is set to have a major financial impact on the country, with an estimated GDP boost of up to 1.5% for every percentage point invested in the sector. During the first quarter of 2025 alone, the industry suffered the loss of more than 119,000 jobs. Younger workers and those with lower technical and professional qualifications have been the most affected by this employment crisis. However, initiat


Why every lift requires a lift plan
A lift plan is essential because international legislation and recognised industry standards require lifting operations to be properly planned, assessed and controlled. Worldwide, organisations must be able to demonstrate that lifting activities are executed in a safe and structured manner — and the lift plan is the practical proof that these requirements are met. For the heavy lifting and hoisting sector, lift planning is not optional or limited to complex lifts. Every lifti


New Tadano AC 5.250L-2 all terrain crane boasts a79 meter main boom
With the new AC 5.250L-2, Tadano is literally going one better: With its 79-meter-long main boom, this 5-axle machine is at the top of its class. And the maximum main boom extension of 30 meters is also best in class. Remarkably, all available main boom extensions from 5.8 to 30 meters are self-erecting. The available maximum system length of 109 meters makes the compact AC 5.250L-2 the ideal crane for urban applications, for example for lifting air conditioning units over ob


Second Condra crane for Tongaat Hulett
Condra is to manufacture a second overhead crane for Tongaat Hulett’s Maidstone sugar mill, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The order is for a 23-metre-span double girder electric overhead travelling crane with 25-ton main hoist and 8-ton auxiliary, to work in conjunction with the existing millhouse crane and a 10-ton Condra crane commissioned in the bagasse store in March 2024. Maidstone is one of four South African sugar mills operated by Tongaat Hulett, a leading agriculture


Reshaping the future of crane rental and equipment sales
Digitalisation is transforming processes across industries and changing how businesses operate. Around the world, organisations are increasingly embracing digital tools and platforms to enhance efficiency and innovation - and the lifting industry is no exception. Leading this shift is Mycrane with its newly launched Marketplace solution. Lifting Africa finds out more about this game-changing development. As the world’s first global platform for online crane rental, Mycrane ha


Heavy-duty electric forklifts offer environmental benefits
Now, more than ever, businesses operating in the materials handling sector are expected to reduce their carbon footprints by adopting more environmentally-friendly practices, especially when it comes to energy consumption. Not only is this the right thing to do in a world where climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, it is necessary to ensure South Africa meets its legally binding commitment - under the Paris Climate Accords - to cut emissions from 442 million tonne


Bobcat revolutionizes construction with new 1-2 t mini excavators at Bauma 2025
Bauma 2025 will host the world premiere of Bobcat’s new, groundbreaking 1-2 t mini excavators and the latest upgrade of the E88 mini excavator, the top-of-the-range model in Europe. Bobcat will also demonstrate how it is bringing its world-famous, cutting-edge technologies to the jobsite of the future. From the RogueX and RogueX2 autonomous loader concepts, the TL25.60e electric telehandler concept and electric machines such as the T7X and S7X compact loaders and the E10e and


Introducing the new JLG® 519 telehandler
The JLG® G5-18A telehandler has undergone a significant refresh. As part of the product changes, the model nomenclature has changed from G5-18A to 519. The new 519 telehandler delivers a range of enhancements to boost productivity, operator confidence, and serviceability on the job site. Improved load chart The 519’s load chart has been optimized, expanding the working zone at maximum lift capacity and forward reach. This allows operators to work more confidently when handlin


Hyundai extends its reach with material handler
Hyundai Construction Equipment is introducing the HW250A MH, a dedicated materials handler for the recycling and waste handling industries. With a choice of booms and an elevating cab structure, the HW250MH combines productivity with fuel efficiency. High lift The HW250MH builds on the success of Hyundai’s popular wheeled excavator range. Weighing 26.1-tonnes, the machine comes as standard with front and rear outriggers, providing maximum stability when lifting. Equipped with


Raising the safety bar
In the lifting and rigging industry, one of the most significant hazards is the dropping of equipment and components from height. Such incidents not only pose a serious risk to the safety of workers but also can result in costly damage and project delays. To tackle this issue, Green Pin has developed a catch shackle. Lifting Africa finds out more. The Catch Shackle, co-developed with the DROPS organisation, is one of those pieces of equipment that may seem innocuous at first


Rethinking common approaches to wire rope lubrication
Wire ropes are hard-working components in many different applications, from mines to lifts, ports, construction sites, and drainage systems. Ron Byrnes, Senior Technical Sales Representative and Wire Rope Specialist at Lubrication Engineers (LE) South Africa, has over 30 years of experience working with wire ropes, including working directly on major Southern African mines and for a wire rope manufacturer. He says correct lubrication of wire ropes is “absolutely critical” bec


Enhancing steel wire rope longevity
Steel wire ropes, renowned for their exceptional durability and strength, are indispensable in heavy-lifting industries such as construction, mining, and maritime. At the annual LEEASA conference, Donald Coward of Engineering Concepts provided valuable insights into optimising rope design and maintenance to extend their lifespan and reliability. Designed to transmit high tensile loads over large distances efficiently, steel wire ropes demonstrate engineering at its finest. Ho


Tadano expands lifting portfolio at Bauma 2025
Tadano, a global leader in the lifting equipment industry, will showcase its comprehensive line of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) at Bauma 2025, marking a significant milestone in its strategic expansion. The presentation follows the company’s successful acquisition of Nagano Industry Co., Ltd., a renowned self-propelled crawler boom lift manufacturer, in February 2024. “This expansion into mobile elevating work platforms represents a natural progression in our journ
bottom of page
