Our work speaks for itself: complex lifts, machinery moving, restricted-access rigging, and specialty crane projects across Toronto, the GTA, and surrounding areas. When the site is tight, the load is awkward, or the plan is unclear, Thompson Miller figures out how to make it happen.
Tags
Description
We coordinated cranes, rigging crews, and mechanical contractors to replace chillers on multiple high-rises before summer cooling season, avoiding downtime for building systems.
As summer approached, several high-rise buildings required urgent chiller replacements to ensure reliable cooling. The replacements needed to happen before seasonal demand spiked, and each site had unique access challenges and scheduling constraints.
Our team worked with mechanical contractors to plan and execute chiller removal and installation across multiple sites. We provided cranes and rigging crews, managed traffic and access logistics, and coordinated schedules so all projects could run in parallel without overlap or resource conflicts.
All chillers were replaced ahead of the seasonal deadline. The proactive coordination prevented system downtime during peak cooling demand and gave property teams confidence their systems would perform through the summer.
Tags
Description
We built a custom cart to lower a forklift into a basement mechanical space with narrow, low access, then rigged it safely into position without damage to the building or equipment.
A client needed to move a forklift into a basement-level mechanical area, but the only access point was both too narrow and too low for standard entry. The weight and size of the forklift, combined with the confined entry space, made it impossible to roll in conventionally.
Our crew designed and fabricated a custom transport cart that could support the forklift’s weight and dimensions while allowing it to be maneuvered through the restricted opening. We used a small crane to lower the forklift and cart assembly into the basement, then applied precision rigging techniques to guide it into its final location.
The forklift was delivered without any damage to the equipment, building structure, or finishes. The client was able to proceed with their mechanical work immediately, saving time and avoiding costly delays.
Tags
Description
We installed a derrick crane on a 22-story downtown building to dismantle a tower crane where street cranes could not reach. The derrick remained for eight months during a mechanical overhaul and the project finished without tenant disruption.
A tower crane on top of a 22-story building in Toronto’s financial district needed to be dismantled as part of a complete mechanical overhaul. The location had no street-level crane access due to surrounding buildings and traffic restrictions, making conventional removal methods impossible.
We brought in a derrick crane, lifted it to the roof in sections, and assembled it on-site to handle the dismantling process. The derrick remained on the roof for eight months while crews replaced chillers, generators, and other mechanical systems. Our team coordinated closely with contractors to ensure the crane stayed operational and safe throughout the project.
The dismantle was completed without incident, and all related work stayed on schedule. Tenants and building operations experienced no disruptions, and the GC had a reliable lifting solution in place for the entire mechanical overhaul.
Case Study:
A crew of seasoned experts on specialty rigging and craning.
Tell us what needs to move and where it needs to go. We’ll take care of the rest.
Thompson Miller Specialty Rigging is an Ontario craning and rigging team built for the jobs that do not come with easy instructions.
We handle complex lifts, machinery moving, rooftop equipment placement, steel and mechanical rigging, and restricted-access work for contractors, facilities, and project teams across Toronto, the GTA, and surrounding areas. We are casual to deal with, serious about the plan, and at our best when the job needs someone to figure out what will actually work.
Answers to common questions about high-rise rigging, equipment moves, site access, and project planning.
Yes. High-rise buildings are a major part of the work Thompson Miller is built for. We support commercial towers, residential condos, mixed-use buildings, active construction sites, and occupied properties where access, timing, staging, and safety all need to be carefully planned.
Yes. Restricted access is one of the main reasons clients call us. We regularly work around tight areas, underground access points, rooftops, mechanical rooms, narrow paths of travel, limited space, and building conditions that do not leave much room for a standard approach.
Yes. Most of our projects happen in buildings and areas that are still active, occupied, or surrounded by public traffic. We plan around pedestrians, tenants, other trades, building operations, delivery access, parking limitations, and traffic restrictions so the work can be completed safely and practically.
We commonly support the movement, lifting, and placement of mechanical equipment, rooftop units, HVAC equipment, steel components, electrical equipment, switchgear, construction materials, and other heavy or awkward loads used in commercial and residential building projects.
Yes. A big part of what we do is helping project teams figure out the move before the work starts. We review the load, access path, site restrictions, building conditions, crane or rigging requirements, and sequence of work so the plan makes sense before anyone shows up with equipment.
Helpful information includes what needs to move, approximate weight and dimensions, final placement location, floor or rooftop access, site photos, drawings, elevator or stair restrictions, street access, timing requirements, and anything that may get in the way.
A good fit is any project where the building conditions make the work complicated. Tight access, awkward loads, occupied spaces, downtown traffic, active trades, shutdown windows, and unclear logistics are all situations where Thompson Miller can help figure out the move.
Do you still have questions?
That's fine. Send us the messy details. We'll help review the access and requirements, so we can figure out what will actually work from the team that tackles the toughest lifts.
