Specialized equipment for indoor work: what to choose in tight spaces (analysis of parameters and characteristics)

Have you ever tried to haul a truck crane into a shopping mall? Or maneuver a diesel forklift into an underground parking garage? If so, you know the headache. Interior work at a residential construction site and in an operating shopping mall are two different worlds. And they require different equipment.

Often, the most important thing on a construction site is squeezing between structures without hitting the floors. And exhaust is often not a major concern, although there are nuances here too. For example, you can't drive a diesel engine into a closed hangar. An electric drive is needed.

Now imagine an operating facility: a shopping mall, a warehouse, an office, a hospital. Here, you won't be forgiven for any exhaust fumes, scratches on the floor, or excessive noise. A typical freight elevator can only handle a maximum of 2-3 tons, with an opening width of up to 1.5 meters. Anything wider or heavier simply won't make it to the floor.

Standard open-air equipment (truck cranes, crane trucks, or aerial work platforms) is useless here. Such machines require space to turn, and there simply isn't any.

In this article, we'll explore what equipment actually works in tight spaces, on construction sites and inside existing buildings. We'll also explore what parameters to consider when choosing equipment, and what to look for to avoid surprises on-site.

What problems does technology solve for confined spaces?

In cramped conditions, work follows a different logic. Rather than "if we need a crane, we'll get one," we first answer questions. What are the aisles? What is the ceiling height? What is the load on the floors? The conditions dictate the choice, and the task is tailored to them.

Lifting and delivery of construction materials and cargo

How do you unload pallets of blocks, transport pipes, and lift equipment to a floor if there are walls, materials, and a low ceiling all around?

An H1840 telehandler was dispatched to one such Moscow site. Its unique feature is its ability to move forward and backward, as well as sideways (crab-style) – along a wall, between stacks, and to the unloading point – without turning or shifting the load. Its 0,42 m ground clearance allows it to navigate areas where conventional equipment would otherwise scrape its bottom. Its 4-ton lifting capacity and 13,1 m horizontal reach ultimately covered the entire scope of work, which would otherwise have required several different machines.

Installation in areas that cannot be reached by a regular crane

The major Olympic Stadium renovation is a complex project. The floors are low, there are structures everywhere, and the passages are narrow. Large equipment was too large to fit. A crane and a truck-mounted crane were working on the exterior of the site, but they couldn't reach the work area—they were physically unable to turn around.

The task was handled by MC-405 and SPT499 minicranes. They operated at low boom angles (5–20°), at which the permissible hook load drops sharply.

Commentary from an ARLIFT expert on the rental and sale of special equipment:
At boom angles of 5–20°, you're practically working at your limit. The machine copes, but the cost of error is greatest here. That's why we always assign an experienced operator to such sites, who compares the load charts from the catalog with the actual situation on site.

Installation of non-standard elements in the interior

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Almaty is an international project involving teams previously working with the Centre Pompidou and the Guggenheim Museum. The project was located on an active construction site, with limited space to maneuver, and every meter counted. The atrium required exceptional precision.

The glazing of the atrium and the installation of panoramic double-glazed windows were completed with a mini-crane ARLIFTER vacuum grippers Models GS-500 and GS-850. They hold the glass using a dual-circuit vacuum system, rotate the load 360°, and tilt it up to 90–180°, ensuring the glass fits into the opening at the desired angle without re-gripping.

Commentary from an ARLIFT expert on the rental and sale of special equipment:
We tackled more than just glazing at this site. The 12-meter "Nades" sculpture was assembled like a puzzle from heavy pieces using a mini crane, working with gloves because the snow-white surface is unforgiving. There was also a fountain of a unique design. The crane operated with partially installed outriggers, and the coordinates for the assembly points were determined using drones in collaboration with Dutch engineers.

Mobility and transportability of equipment

At multi-story facilities—shopping malls, business centers, residential complexes—a simple detail is often forgotten: how will the equipment even get to the floor? Stairs are out of the question, leaving us with a freight elevator, aerial delivery, or ground-based operations.

A standard freight elevator can support 2–3 tons and has an opening width of approximately 1,2–1,5 meters. The AS0607 and GTJZ0608S electric scissor lifts meet these specifications: a width of 0,76 meters and a weight of 1,526–1,580 kg. They enter the elevator automatically, ascend to the floor, and are immediately ready for use.

When there's no elevator or the equipment doesn't fit within the dimensions, we use mini cranes with suitable parameters. For example, the JF545CDH-2 has a working height of 32 meters and a reach of 30 meters—enough to reach floors 10–12. It lifts up to 15,5 tons, enough for virtually any equipment.

Basic types of equipment for working in confined spaces

Mini cranes (spider towers)

Compact dimensions conceal significant capabilities. For example, models in the ARLIFT rental fleet lift from 1 to 15,5 tons. They also navigate areas where a truck crane can't: atriums, courtyards, workshops, and ceilings.

Versatility is another strength. It runs on diesel power outdoors and a 380V power source indoors. Remote control allows the operator to remain in a safe position and view the installation area at the desired angle. The boom can be equipped with additional equipment, such as a jib, vacuum manipulator, cradle, or grabber.

Electric scissor lifts

A scissor lift eliminates typical high-altitude work inside a building and replaces scaffolding. Instead of wasting time assembling, disassembling, and repositioning scaffolding, the self-propelled machine drives itself to the work site. It lifts people and tools to the ceiling, providing a stable platform for installing lighting, ventilation, sprinklers, and other utility systems.

The AS and GTJZ series electric models are battery-powered, produce no emissions, and require no cables to be run across the site. The retractable platform section allows for easy access over obstacles without repositioning the machine.

Mast lifts

A mast lift is used where scissor lifts are too wide and the racks and equipment are taller than the typical 10–12 meters. This solution is suitable for warehouses, industrial facilities, as well as offices, schools, shopping centers, and hospitals.

Articulated and telescopic boom lifts

An articulated boom lift is needed when the work area cannot be reached directly due to equipment, beams, overhangs, or balconies. Its articulated design allows it to bend around obstacles and bring the operator's basket precisely to the installation area.

Telescopic boom lifts The boom extends in a straight line, with sections sliding out from one another. The trajectory doesn't change at an angle, but it provides maximum stability at long reach. They're chosen for indoor applications when a person needs to be lifted over a long distance and over a long distance without repositioning the machine.

Glass robots and vacuum grippers

A glass robot is a compact, self-propelled machine with vacuum suction cups. It grips glass units and smooth panels, holds them, lifts them, rotates them, and installs them in the opening. The Winlet 575 and Cowest WSR-800LA models fit through narrow openings and are battery-powered.

ARLIFTER vacuum grippers are most often used in conjunction with a crane. They are equipped with a dual-circuit vacuum system. The load is held by two separate groups, each with its own pump and sensors. If one circuit loses pressure, the other continues to hold the load.

Comparative table of the main types of equipment

What to look for when choosing equipment

Before choosing equipment, you need to know the width of the narrowest passage along the route, the height of the floors, the permissible load on the slab, and the maximum load weight. But dimensions are only half the battle.

The key is the lifting capacity and its relationship to the load chart. The chart shows how much weight the equipment can lift at a specific boom reach and angle. For example, the same model can lift 10 tons at minimum reach, but only 2 tons at maximum reach. Without taking the chart into account, it's easy to overload and lose stability. At the extreme limits, the load can reach into the hundreds of kilograms.

The next parameter is the working height, which determines whether the equipment can reach the installation point. The working height is the maximum point a person can reach from the platform, while the lift height is the distance from the wheels to the top of the platform when unfolded. The difference between the two is approximately 2 meters, or the average height of a person. Therefore, when choosing equipment, it's important to consider the working height: this is usually specified in the machine's specifications.

Next comes maneuverability. A car can fit through an opening without being able to turn around inside. The turning radius, crab steering, and wheelbase length should be calculated for a specific layout, not just the average for the entire facility.

And finally, safety systems. Tilt sensors and load limiters on the lifts, dual-circuit vacuum and moisture separator on the grippers—these are what separate normal operation from abnormal ones.

The right choice starts with a tape measure, not a catalog. That's why some companies that rent out specialized equipment first visit the site and assess the conditions—and only then select equipment for specific tasks. Not everyone does this, but after reading this article, you'll already know who does.