Crane-Suspended Drilling Platform
A safer, faster and more environmentally responsible way to stabilise steep slopes.
Originally developed for the Peacocke Road - Waikato Bridge soil nails project in Hamilton, this platform was a first-of-its-kind in New Zealand. Designed to address the limitations of wagon drills on rope access, it allows a crawler drill rig to be safely suspended by crane, tripling productivity while significantly reducing safety and environmental risks. The innovation reflects Geovert’s culture of engineering practical solutions for complex and high-risk environments.
Engineered for Complex Slopes
Designed and built in collaboration with Motovated, this particular platform was purpose-built to support a heavy crawler drill and crew of two, suspended beneath a crane with a working radius of 30m – more with a larger crane. This configuration allows safe drilling of large-diameter, high-capacity anchors on steep and inaccessible slopes without the need for crews to physically manoeuvre drilling equipment under rope access conditions.
Geovert also utilises two smaller, custom-built crane baskets across projects throughout New Zealand. These systems provide the same focus on safety, precision and access efficiency in constrained or sensitive environments.
Operational Advantages
Compared with conventional wagon drill and rope access methods, the crane-suspended drill platform delivers:
Tripled drilling productivity using a high-capacity crawler rig
Reduced physical strain and safety risks for crews, who remain stable and secured on the platform
Minimal environmental impact, with limited vegetation removal and reduced ground disturbance
Safer operations above watercourses and culturally sensitive areas
Greater drilling efficiency, avoiding the need for longer anchors or additional holes
Flexible deployment, with the crane manoeuvring the platform across large slopes quickly and precisely
Protecting Sensitive Environments
On projects like Peacocke Road, protecting the Waikato River was paramount. The crane platform reduced erosion and runoff by minimising crew movement on the slope. Used alongside innovative erosion and silt control systems, the platform provides a practical, low-impact method of carrying out geotechnical stabilisation in environmentally sensitive locations.
