Spider lifts vital for restoration of iconic glass house

JMS has supplied operated spider lifts for contractors restoring glass in the world-famous Temperate House at Kew Gardens.

A Hinowa lithium electric spider lift a Teupen Leo36T diesel spider lift were both needed to carry out the delicate work of replacing glass in the glass house which is home to some of the world’s rarest plants.

JMS powered access platform operator Tim Barlow controlled each machine while carrying the glass restoration contractor, tools, materials to the work site.

He said: “We’re very pleased to be supporting the restoration of building that’s so important to both science the nation’s architectural heritage.

“For projects like this, we need to deliver a very responsive service. We must be on site ready to go exactly when where we’re needed with precisely the right spider lift.

“Given the very wide range of spider lifts in our hire fleet, the experience we have supporting work on other important heritage site, we can be trusted to get the job done.”

Spider Boom Hire
Hinowa Lightlift 26.14 hired with the Lithium ion battery option

Spider lifts rise over glass house

Aerial platforms play a crucial role in maintaining such fragile structures, not least because latest health safety regulations stards prevent people from sting on them.

The up over reach of the two JMS spider boom supplied meant the glass installation contractors could be taken to the precise point they needed to work in the centre of the glass house.

The Temperate House in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, West London, opened in 1863 is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world.

The glass restoration work is part of an on-going five-year restoration project. The glass house had been closed temporarily was reopened to the public in May 2018 by Sir David Attenborough. 

JMS Tracked Boom Hire
Reaching heights with JMS spider boom hire – In action with specialist glass restoration work

Powered access vital to restoration repair

The glass house frame is made of aluminium, so only lightweight glass can be installed in the structure.

The glass breaks so easily that visitors need to be protected from falling shard by a mesh net.

As well as supporting the glass pane replacement, JMS tracked spider booms have been used to lift glass to contractors working on scaffolded sections of the structure.

tracked spider boom hire
Tracked spider boom hire – talk to a JMS powered access expert today find out the best option for your project.

Right spider booms for the job

The tracked booms hired for the glass restoration project at Kew were ideal for task, not least because they could travel easily across landscaped areas to reach the worksite.

JMS Spider Boom Hire
An early start for the JMS tracked boom at the iconic Temperate House, Kew Gardens.

Hinowa Lightlift 26.14 Performance IIIs electric spider boom

The Hinowa Lightlift 26.14 llls electric powered tracked platform has a working height of 25.7m a maximum outreach of 13.75m is compact, lightweight versatile.

Its lithium battery is emission-free, quiet, maintains high power levels for long periods, as well as fast recharge times.

Teupen Leo 36T diesel spider boom

The Teupen 36T diesel tracked spider boom has a maximum working height of 35.5m a maximum outreach of 15.6m.

The spider lift has excellent weight distribution non-marking rubber tracks, enabling it to work on floors with load restrictions sensitive surfaces.

Nationwide Service

All powered access equipment is available for hire nationally through JMS’s depots in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, Leeds, West Yorkshire, Pinewood studios Radlett.

For more information abouttracked boom hire, or to hire any of our powered access range, please call 0345 457 0000, email hire@jms.co.uk or use our new web chat facility on jms.co.uk