GGR Gulf recently took the plunge to complete a challenging pool project in the middle of one of the largest deserts in the world.

The UAE branch of lifting specialist GGR Group and Orientals Lifting employed a Unic URW 506 mini spider crane and Hydraulica 1,000 glass vacuum lifter to successfully install a luxurious swimming pool at the desert palace of the UAE ruling family.

The mini spider crane and vacuum lifter were transported 420 km from GGR Gulf’s depot in Dubai to the remote Empty Quarter desert to work on the palace project.  

The URW-506 spider crane, which measures only 1.4 m wide and comes with a 3-tonne lifting capacity and overall lifting height of 16 m, had to travel down a 42-km driveway to reach the entrance to the palace.

Glazing work on the swimming pool required the installation of dozens of glass panels, each weighing 750 kg. With a 6-m overhang to overcome, the lightweight Unic 506 mini crane was combined with a 1,000-kg-capacity glass vacuum lifter to safely lower the glass into the pool. The dual, independent vacuum circuits and low vacuum warning alert system of the Hydraulica lifter meant that the glass was handled using the safest equipment in the industry.

The glass panels could also be manipulated into position thanks to the 270-degree manual lockable rotation and 90-degree powered hydraulic tilting features of the lifter, according to a spokesman for GGR Gulf.

All this was carried out under temperatures soaring to 48 deg C. GGR Gulf’s project manager Gary Jones trained site staff on the use of the Unic crane and Hydraulica vacuum lifter.

“This was one of the most challenging locations that we have ever provided training in the use of our lifting equipment,” said Jones, adding, “However the 840 km round trip into the desert dunes was the best drive to work I’ve ever had!”