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How to Properly Rig Your Load

crane rigging

In the world of construction, the tools and materials required to complete the job are frequently too large or bulky to carry by hand. As a result, if you need something moved from point A to point B, a crane will usually be your first port of call.

Besides hiring a properly maintained crane from crane services, the other thing you should do is to ensure that you properly rig the load. To help you out, here are tips on how to go about it.

Be cautious of the weight.

The first thing to think about before trying a lift is the weight of the load. Equipment should be labeled with their weight. If no such marking is visible, contact the manufacturer.

When lifting building materials, make sure to account for both the number and weight of the units being transported. The weight of the load will determine the type of sling you will use during the lift.

Lookout for the sling

Make sure your sling is up to the task. This includes choosing a sling that is appropriate for the load. Fabric slings made of nylon and polyester are easy to handle, but user-friendliness should not come at the expense of safety.

Keep in mind that knots and cuts considerably weaken fabric slings, making them more susceptible to heat and friction than their metallic counterparts. Wire or chain slings are often the best solution for carrying big or abrasive goods.

Before you do any lifting, always double-check the sling and ensure that it’s in perfect shape. The last thing you should do is to use a sling that is in the blink of getting damaged, and you put your machine and the people working on the site at risk of getting hurt.

Hitch the load correctly.

Take the time to ensure that your sling is attached to the most appropriate section of the load. Never hitch to sections like guard rails that may come free during the lift.

Always tie the sling to the most secure component of the load to reduce the possibility of detachment or yielding during transit.

Loose hooks and slings are a major cause of load slippage and crane overturns. If a load is not correctly secured and reinforced to the jib and hook, it may become disconnected in the middle. These mishaps are extremely dangerous, particularly if they occur in the air.

Hitch the weight while ensuring that the hooks are tight, properly positioned, and exactly between the center of gravity.

Before you start the lifting, always double-check and confirm that everything is in perfect working order.

The right hitch lifts the load without tilting, spinning, or slipping. The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) recommends that you use these types of hitches:

Vertical hitch: The weight hangs straight from the crane via a vertical sling. A bridle hitch is a variation on this in which the weight is held by many slings at different angles rather than just one vertical sling.

Choker hitch: The sling rotates around the load, one end attached to the sling and the other to the crane.

Basket hitch: The sling surrounds the weight with this hitch, but both ends are attached to the crane hook.

You should note that even little damage affects a sling’s loading capability, so before you use it, you should thoroughly inspect it along its length. Inspect it for welding marks, deformations, cracks, and other signs of damage. If you notice any problem, don’t use the sling.

Have good communication

If a load is properly fixed, the possibilities of injury during the lift are reduced. Those operating on the ground, however, must still take responsibility for their own and their colleagues’ safety.

With this in mind, clear communication is essential. There should be a designated signaler who communicates with both the crane operator and his or her ground crew. Furthermore, each member of the rigging team should be free of pinch points and any load sway before the signaler gives the crane operator the go-ahead. Obviously, never stray beneath a loaded truck.

Be cautious during the lowering.

Before the operator begins lowering the load, make sure your surroundings are capable of supporting the burden.

If you need to steer the weight, use a tagline; if you’re walking with it, keep it near the ground. Remove all surrounding items and keep your feet clear. Stay on your toes and avoid getting stuck between the load and a stationary object.

Never leave a suspended load unattended.

Even with suitable rigging and a sufficiently large crane, leaving a hanging load unattended poses various concerns. For example, the weather can change fast, and a strong blast of wind might have a significant impact on hanging cargo. In this scenario, the entire crane may become unstable and collapse.

To avoid this, you should never have an unattended load hanging on your crane. You should always put the load down before you do anything.

In many cases, you will have a suspended load when the site isn’t ready. As you can tell, this is often due to poor preparation. Before you even lift the load, you should know where you will place it. The last thing you should do is to lift the load and then start thinking about where to place it.

Use a quality crane.

It goes that you should use a quality crane to do the lifting. When you are hiring the machine, always do a double check and confirm that its properly maintained and in perfect working condition.

This calls for you to ask for the maintenance records. If the crane rental services VA provider is dodgy on the maintenance of the crane, you should stay away from it.

Even when you get the crane, don’t just start working. Inspect it and confirm that it’s working optimally. A good way to go about it is to inspect the crane before you do any lifting.

As a rule of thumb, always ensure that the crane operator you hire is experienced and knows what they are doing. The last thing you want is the operator causing problems that aren’t supposed to be there.

How Much Is It To Hire A Crane?

Are you having a lifting project and wondering how much is it to hire a crane? Well, there is no definitive answer to this as the price varies depending on a variety of factors. These factors include:

Lifting capacity of the crane

The same way car rentals don’t charge the same price is the same way crane rentals don’t charge the same price for their cranes—some cranes are more expensive than others. Obviously, the larger the crane, the more expensive it will be.

This means that if you have a large project and need a large crane, you should expect to pay more than when you have a small project and need a small crane.

Time you will be using the crane.

Going by the same car analogy, you don’t pay the same price when you rent a car for a day and when you do it for a week, do you? The same thing applies to cranes. When you rent a crane for a week, you don’t pay the same price as someone that rents it for a month.

It goes that the longer the crane will be in your procession, the more you will pay for it.

Type of crane

Different cranes go at different prices depending on their size and type. When you are renting, the type of crane you should rent depends on your project. For example, if you have a construction project, you will need a tower crane.

To ensure that you are renting the right machine, talk to an experienced professional to guide you on the right one to go for.

Need for a crane operator

You have two options when renting a crane—rent it together with the crane operator or find your operator. As you can guess, when you rent the crane together with the operator, you will pay more for the crane.

Besides the crane operator, you should note that you will also need to hire a flagman and rigger that work in coordination with the crane operator, director, and other staff. The amount of money you spend on them depends on the number you need and the agreed amount.

How do you save money when renting a crane?

As you can tell, renting a crane can get expensive. Thankfully, there are several ways you can save money when renting. These ways include:

Bargain

Different companies have different prices for their cranes. The fortunate thing is that these prices aren’t set in stone—you can always bargain.

When you enter a rental company, don’t simply accept the prices given—take time to negotiate so that you can get a good deal. You will even be better off if you are renting the crane for extended periods.

Many people looking for cranes end up hiring the crane from the first company they come across—don’t do this. The right way to go about it is to visit different companies and compare their prices. Of course, you should hire from a company renting their cranes at affordable fees.

You should be cautious when hiring. While you want to save money, avoid hiring from the cheapest crane company or a company renting their cranes at prices below the standard prices as they might be problematic in the long run.

Prepare the site

As mentioned above, one factor that determines the crane price is the amount of time the crane is in your procession. This means that you save money when you spend as little time with the crane as possible.

Some people will rent a crane, then when they reach the site, they realize the site isn’t flat enough for the crane to work on. What do they do? They start working on the site while the crane is just sitting there. As you can guess, this is wasting money.

To save money, always ensure the site and any materials the crane will use are ready before you head to the crane rental services VA.

Hire the right crane

Finally, to save money, you should rent the right crane. This way, you are not only safe, but you also save money and time as nothing breaks, and you don’t have to keep returning the crane. As a rule of thumb, don’t go to a rental company without knowing the crane that you need for your project.