Vacuum glass lifting · Sydney + Central Coast
Glass lifter hire Sydney — crane, lifter and operator in one booking.
Parramatta Cranes provides glass lifter hire across Sydney and the Central Coast using the Glassboy vacuum lifter — up to 600 kg capacity — paired with our Maeda spider cranes and a qualified operator in one package. One booking covers the crane, the vacuum lifter and the crew, so glass, windows, marble and cladding panels are lifted and placed precisely, even on tight access and high-rise sites.
- Up to 600 kg per panel
- 360° rotation · 90° tilt
- Crane + lifter + operator
What is a glass lifter?
A glass lifter — also called a glass sucker or vacuum glass lifter — is a below-the-hook attachment that grips glass with vacuum suction cups so a crane can lift it. A dual vacuum system holds the panel on two independent circuits, and audible and visual alarms warn the operator before suction ever drops.
Because the panel hangs from suction rather than slings or clamps, it can be rotated a full 360° and tilted to 90° for exact placement into frames — the difference between a clean glazing install and a cracked panel. Our Glassboy flies on the hook of our Maeda spider cranes, which is what lets us place glass where trolleys, forklifts and standard glazing robots can’t reach.
Built to carry up to 600 kg of glass
These are the numbers glaziers ask us for first. Full details on the Glassboy fleet page or the downloadable spec sheet (PDF).
| Spec | Figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Max capacity | 600 kg | 400 kg standard, 600 kg with extension arms |
| Machine weight | ~55 kg | Light enough for rooftop and slab setups |
| Vacuum system | Dual circuit | Independent circuits + audible/visual alarms |
| Control | Wireless remote | Remote grab + release in hard-to-reach spots |
| Rotation / tilt | 360° / 90° | Manual rotation, tilt to horizontal |
| Panel types | Flat + curved | Curved-cup and foam-edged pad options |
Short lifting lug available for large panels under low ceilings — suitable for glass, windows, marble and cladding, indoor and outdoor use.
Watch a 550 kg glass install
Crane + glass lifter + operator. One booking.
Most Sydney glass lifter hire is dry hire: you get the vacuum lifter, then you still need a crane, an operator and a lift plan from somewhere else. We do it differently:
- One package — Glassboy lifter, Maeda spider crane and a qualified operator arrive together
- Tight access by design — our spider cranes fit through standard doorways and narrow side passages, so the lifter reaches backyards, internal voids and upper floors
- Lift planning included — site inspection, load checks and placement planned before the panel leaves the truck
- SafeWork-compliant — documented lift plans and equipment logbooks maintained to Australian standards; see SafeWork NSW for lifting-safety guidance
Not sure whether you need an operator or just the gear? Read our guide to wet hire vs dry hire.
Glass lifter hire for every kind of glazing job
- Window + door installation — heavy double-glazed and framed units placed straight into the reveal
- High-rise + balustrade glazing — panels flown to upper floors and rooftops
- Shopfronts + commercial facades — oversized panes positioned without street cranes
- Curved feature glass — curved-cup pads grip radius panels safely
- Pool fencing — frameless glass backyard installs through tight side access
- Marble, stone + cladding panels — the same vacuum system handles non-porous sheet materials
- Replacement glazing — single panels swapped without scaffolding the building
- Steel + glass combination lifts — paired with our steel beam lifting on structural jobs
Case study — high-rise glass, Dover Heights
Lift 5 pieces of glass, the heaviest 400 kg, on a busy Dover Heights street.
We set up within the property boundary — saving the client on traffic control and permits.
Panels lifted with minimal site disruption, saving the customer thousands. Watch this lift in our video gallery.
Glass lifts we’ve completed
Glass lifter hire across Sydney + the Central Coast
We’re based in Western Sydney and carry out glass lifts across the entire metro area and up the coast. Popular service areas include:
Glass lifter hire FAQs
How much weight can your glass lifter carry?
Do you supply an operator with the glass lifter?
Can the glass lifter handle curved glass?
Can you install glass on tight access or high-rise sites?
How much does glass lifter hire cost in Sydney?
What’s the difference between a glass lifter and a glass sucker?
Do you also move the glass to the lift zone?
Book glass lifter hire in Sydney. Send us your panel sizes, weights and site address and we’ll come back fast with a fixed quote and a lift plan.