How a Rotating Telehandler Saved $682,000 on a Retirement Village Upgrade
Replacing windows and facades across 50 apartments — on a live site with residents — without scaffolding, cranes, or boom lifts.
A $1.37 million equipment bill before a single window was replaced
Selwyn Village is an occupied retirement complex in Auckland. The project required extensive facade and joinery refurbishment across 50 apartments — with residents continuing to live on site throughout.
The original plan called for full scaffolding, a 50-ton mobile crane, two boom lifts, and a forklift — running for up to 12 months. The combined equipment cost alone was estimated at over $1.37 million.
Massive equipment costs
Scaffolding, crane hire, boom lifts, and forklifts totalling $1.37M before any construction work began.
Resident disruption
Scaffolding blocks light, creates visual intrusion, and generates noise — on a site where elderly residents live full-time.
Complex logistics
Coordinating five separate machines, each with different operators, schedules, and mobilisation requirements.
Large site footprint
Scaffolding and multiple machines take up space — blocking access paths and reducing usable site area.
Same project. One machine. Half the cost.
- Scaffolding around building
- 50-ton mobile crane35 weeks
- 24m boom lift9 months
- 43m boom lift3 months
- 3-ton forklift12 months
- Magni RTH 8.27 purchase
- Servicing & maintenance12 months
One machine replaced five
APS Equipment conducted a full site analysis — reviewing access requirements, load charts, and equipment options. The Magni RTH 8.27 rotating telehandler, with 8-ton capacity and 27-metre reach, could handle every task with a single compact machine.
No scaffolding required
Tidier, safer site. No visual intrusion for residents. No scaffolding erection or dismantling time.
Fast attachment changeover
Platform, forks, and winch — switch between tasks in minutes without mobilising separate machines.
Compact footprint
One machine parked on site instead of scaffolding, cranes, and boom lifts occupying every access route.
Low noise operation
Ideal for an occupied retirement village where resident wellbeing is a priority throughout the build.
Magni RTH 8.27 Rotating Telehandler
8,000 kg
27 metres
360° continuous
Platform, forks, winch
Crane, boom lift, forklift
12 months on site
The RTH 8.27 at Selwyn Village
Replacing windows at height, lifting materials, and providing platform access — all from a single position on site.
Got a similar project?
If you’re facing high scaffold or crane costs, a rotating telehandler could cut your equipment bill in half. Talk to us — we’ll run the numbers for your specific site.