Helping FFT Lumber Improve Firewood Deliveries with a Bespoke Crane
As a long-standing Penny Engineering customer, the business returned to us when they needed a more capable lifting solution for their latest delivery vehicle.
FFT Lumber supplies sustainably and locally sourced hardwood and softwood firewood for open fires, wood-burning stoves, and wood-fired boilers across the UK. As a long-standing Penny Engineering customer, the business returned to us when they needed a more capable lifting solution for their latest delivery vehicle.
The project involved installing a PH50.2ERS hydraulic crane onto a tipping body – a less common application that required several bespoke modifications to improve stability, protect the equipment, and make loading and delivering bags of firewood safer and more efficient. Thanks to our in-house design and manufacturing expertise, we delivered a tailored solution that met the customer's exact operational requirements.
The Challenge
Delivering bags of firewood requires lifting equipment that is compact, reliable, and capable of handling repeated loading and unloading throughout the working day. FFT Lumber wanted to improve operational efficiency by increasing lifting capacity while ensuring the vehicle remained safe and stable during crane operation.
Installing a crane onto a tipping body also introduced additional challenges. During tipping, stray logs could damage the crane, while maintaining the rigidity of the body during lifting operations was essential for safe and reliable performance.
Project Objectives
Returning to Penny Engineering, FFT Lumber wanted to:
- Increase lifting capacity to improve loading efficiency
- Improve stability when handling heavier loads
- Protect the crane from stray logs during tipping operations
- Maintain the tipping functionality of the vehicle
- Invest in a bespoke, long-term solution from a trusted supplier
Having worked together previously, FFT Lumber also wanted the confidence of partnering with a team that understood their business and could deliver another high-quality installation tailored to their requirements.
The Solution
Understanding the Project
As a repeat customer, FFT Lumber already knew the quality of our products and service. After discussing the operational challenges, our team recommended installing a PH50.2ERS hydraulic crane while incorporating several bespoke modifications to suit the tipping body.
Because every application is different, we carefully considered how the crane and vehicle would operate together. This ensured the finished installation delivered the lifting performance the customer needed without compromising safety or practicality.
Bespoke Engineering
Fitting a PH50.2ERS crane to a tipping body isn't something we encounter every day, but designing bespoke lifting solutions is exactly what Penny Engineering is built for.
To meet FFT Lumber’s requirements, we incorporated several custom features:
- Custom steel protector positioned in front of the crane to minimise damage from stray logs during tipping.
- Bespoke body lock engineered to keep the tipping body rigid and stable while the crane is in operation.
- PH50.2ERS hydraulic crane weighing just 95kg while offering a lifting capacity of 500kg close in, with a maximum reach of 2.5 metres lifting 200kg.
A High-Quality Installation
Once the design had been finalised, our experienced installation team completed the vehicle build to Penny Engineering's usual high standards. The finished steelwork is neat, robust, and demonstrates the quality of workmanship that goes into every bespoke installation we produce.
By carrying out the work in-house at our purpose-built facility in North Derbyshire, we maintained complete control over quality throughout the project and ensured every component integrated seamlessly with the vehicle.
The Results
The completed installation provides FFT Lumber with a more capable and practical delivery vehicle that's tailored to the way the business operates.
The upgraded lifting capacity allows larger loads to be handled more efficiently, while the bespoke body lock provides additional stability whenever the crane is in use. The custom steel protector also helps reduce the risk of accidental damage from loose logs during tipping, allowing the customer to continue using the vehicle's tipping function with greater confidence.
For Penny Engineering, the project showcases exactly what sets our business apart. Rather than supplying a standard off-the-shelf installation, we engineered a bespoke solution around the customer's vehicle, workload, and operational requirements.
"Installing a PH50.2ERS onto a tipping body isn't something we come across every day, but it's exactly the sort of bespoke challenge our team is eager to take on. By adding a custom steel protector and designing a bespoke body lock, we were able to retain the vehicle's tipping function while giving the customer the stability and protection they needed. The finished installation is a great example of the quality and attention to detail that goes into every project we undertake."
– Dave Jones, Area Sales Manager at Penny Engineering
Supporting Customers with Bespoke Vehicle-Mounted Crane Solutions
At Penny Engineering, we understand that no two businesses operate in the same way. That's why we design every lifting solution around the customer's specific requirements, whether that means increasing lifting capacity, overcoming installation challenges, or incorporating bespoke features that enhance day-to-day operations.
For FFT Lumber, that meant delivering a tailored vehicle-mounted lifting solution that improves efficiency, protects valuable equipment, and supports the business for years to come. We're grateful for the continued trust FFT Lumber has placed in Penny Engineering and look forward to working together again in the future.
Looking for a vehicle-mounted crane solution?
Whether you're upgrading an existing vehicle or specifying a new one, Penny Engineering can design, manufacture, and install a lifting solution tailored to your exact operational requirements.