WM Plant Hire proud to support their community, led the successful recovery of stranded barges on the historic Llangollen Canal near Whitchurch, Shropshire, following a major embankment breach. Utilising state-of-the-art 'spider excavator', renowned for its unique 'transformer-like' capabilities, it tackled the challenging and unstable terrain with precision and innovation.

The spider excavator, designed for extreme conditions, dynamically adjusted its legs to reduce pressure on weakened embankments and navigated steep gradients with 360-degree precision. “Crucially, this technology eliminated the need for costly temporary works such as haul roads and working platforms, delivering significant time and cost savings (Damian McGettrick, MD). Running on biodegradable oils, it also met strict environmental standards for this heritage site.

Working with Commercial Boat Services and the Canal and River Trust, the operation created a stable ramp for winching, successfully recovering and re-floating vessels serving as homes bringing relief to boat owners.

This project highlighted our commitment to sustainable, cost-effective solutions supporting the efficient restoration of vital waterways.