Maeda unveiled the first MC-815 at the Bauma show in Germany, which Hird snapped up straight off the production line.

The machine has been designed for steel erection, glass and curtain wall installation, building maintenance and machinery moving.

Hird Managing Director Phil Hird said: “We’re delighted to be the first crane hire company to take delivery of what is going to be an industry-leading mini crane.

“We have bought a large number of Maeda mini cranes in the last 12 months.

“They are the most popular mini crawler cranes in the world because they are the most capable and technologically advanced machines, and the MC-815 is no exception.”

Alan Peck, Sales Director of Kranlyt, the European master distributor for Maeda, said: “We sold nine of the cranes off the stand at Bauma, and we expect this model to be our most popular Maeda mini crane in Europe in 2016.”

The MC-815 is Maeda’s largest capacity spider crawler crane, with a maximum lifting capacity of 8 tonnes at a radius of 2.4m.

It has a five section 19.4m boom, and an optional two section 1,500kg capacity telescopic jib, which increases the maximum lifting height to 25.5m.

Other features include a new joystick control replacing the standard four levers, and a new 10.4-inch multi-function touch-screen monitor.

While the MC-815 can be operated from a conventional seat on the crane, it can also be fully remote controlled. The crane can also be remotely self-levelled and automatically stowed.

The bio-energy mini crane is fully EU Stage 3 compliant.