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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 to Get the Most Out of a Rental Boom Truck

boom truck rentals

Boom trucks have extendable arms or booms used for construction and maintenance in various industries. For businesses that do not need a boom truck daily, renting one from a boom truck rental is often cheaper. If you’re renting a boom truck, here’s how to get the most out of it.

Understand your needs

The first step in undertaking any building or repair work is carefully evaluating your needs. You need to consider what height and reach are needed, how much weight your truck must be able to lift, or if any additional features are required for convenient operation. 

Likewise, if your project requires you to work in narrow spaces, then a boom truck with a compact design would be ideal. But if you need to get way up, a truck with an extendable boom would be necessary.

Not only will this understanding help you choose the right boom truck model, but it can also guarantee that your equipment is precisely what your project requires. You can use the boom truck much more efficiently, reducing accidents on the job site.

Get proper training for operators.

A boom truck operation is only as efficient and safe as the skill of its operators. The provision of professional training for personnel driving the boom truck is not merely a legalistic necessity, it’s also an essential step that goes hand in hand with good performance. 

A rented boom truck has its particular controls, which the operators must know well. They should understand exactly how moves and outriggers are managed and important equipment like light poles that hook up with cables (as quick guides).

Secondly, they must be educated about safety methods and encourage them not to exceed load limits.

To be on the safe side, always hire experienced operators who know what they are doing. To be even safer, retrain the operators before you begin the project.

Schedule regular maintenance checks.

Like any heavy machinery, a boom truck must be well-maintained to run at its finest. The hydraulic system, controls, and safety features should receive special attention in regular checks on critical components. The hydraulic system–which regulates the movement of boom, etc. 

You should check the controls to make sure they respond correctly when an operator gives a command. It’s also wise to do some testing to check for safety features such as emergency shut-off mechanisms and load sensors.

Besides helping you prevent unexpected breakdowns, regular maintenance can catch problems before they become serious–and may even save lives on the job site. By caring for a boom truck properly, the possible losses can be reduced, and production efficiency can be increased.

Check load capacities

All boom trucks have designated capacities for a variety of configurations. Passing these limits can endanger safety and damage the equipment. Before lifting materials or equipment, always double-check load capacities. Do not overload to avoid accidents.

Choose the right boom length.

Choose the right boom length for your project. A longer boom increases the truck’s reach but at the price of stability. Choose the shortest boom that does your work to provide a safer working environment.

Utilize outriggers

Boom trucks are fitted with outriggers to increase stability when in use. Install the outriggers correctly, following the manufacturer’s guidelines. This is important, especially on uneven terrain or when lifting heavy loads, as it prevents tipping over.

Plan lifts carefully

Plan lifts to reduce downtime and improve efficiency. The place, height, and weight of the cargo for obstacles. A thought-out plan results in smooth operation, free of accidents.

Use proper rigging techniques.

Proper rigging is needed to protect the safe handling of loads. Slings, hooks, and attachments must be appropriate. Rigging errors can make the load unstable and endanger men or property.

Adhere to safety standards.

By following industry standards and regulations, safety comes first. This means PPE and safe work procedures and ensuring that workers know emergency operations. A secure working environment is at the heart of operating a boom truck.

Monitor weather conditions

It is necessary to observe weather conditions before and during operations. Adverse winds, rain, or snow can threaten the boom truck’s stability and safety. If bad weather is predicted, reschedule work.

Optimize transportation

The boom truck must be moved to and from the job site rapidly. In that regard, you must ask yourself: Are they sure of a good delivery service? Or should you pick it up by car and save on travel time and expenditure?

Keep communication clear

Communication between the boom truck operator and ground personnel must be effective. Adopt common signals and devise clear communication procedures to avoid misunderstandings. This is particularly important when working on busy construction sites.

Document and analyze performance.

The keeping of an accurate record isn’t just paperwork, it is a strategic move. This documentation is extremely useful for assessing the efficiency of operations and identifying shortcomings.

Note down problems cropping up during operation (whether functional malfunctions of equipment, environmental obstacles, or unexpected hurdles). Include detailed notes on maintenance activities, such as repair work and replacements or routine servicing.

Return the equipment promptly.

Good rental practice includes respecting the terms of the rental agreement, most especially promptly returning the boom truck. Turning in the equipment early saves money on rent and expresses a professional attitude.

In addition, this makes it possible for the rental company to run its fleet efficiently by ensuring that equipment is available when other customers need it.

On-time returns improve relations with landlords. It creates trust and dependability, so when you need to rent again in the future, the rental company prioritizes your needs.

Moreover, it demonstrates that your organization is committed to honoring agreements and deadlines. As a result, other industry members will see you as professional in your approach to business matters.

Conclusion

A boom truck for rent can reduce the time needed to complete many construction and maintenance projects. If you get to know the business, safety always comes first.

You also should follow best practices and don’t forget, a properly maintained and operated boom truck will ensure the project gets done and your employees work in safer surroundings.

When you are renting the unit, always rent from a crane hire VA stocking high-quality and well-maintained units.

Best Practises When Using a Crane

In construction, the tools and materials needed to do the job are often too heavy or bulky to carry by hand. Because of this, going to a crane rental services provider and renting a crane is often the first thing people think of when they need to move something from point A to point B.

While a crane is vital for the workings of the work site, there are several things you need to do to ensure that everything goes according to plan. Which are these things? Here they are:

Watch the weight you are lifting.

Before you try to lift anything, you should first think about how much it weighs. Your crane should have labels that say how much it weighs.

If there is no such label, check with the company that made it. When lifting construction materials, you should consider how many you carry and how much they weigh. The sling that should be used to lift the load will depend on how much it weighs.

Properly secure the load.

You shouldn’t lift any load into the air if it is not safe to do so. Ensure you have the right lifting equipment and that your load is set up correctly.

Check the safety catches on the hook before you hitch up the load. For peace of mind, ensure the hook is placed above the load’s center of gravity.

Before the final lift, test the load’s safety by lifting it from the ground into the air.

Ensure the sling is strong enough.

Make sure your sling can do what it needs to do. This means choosing the right sling for the load. Fabric slings made of materials like nylon and polyester are easy to use, but that shouldn’t mean safety should be put at risk.

Keep in mind that knots and cuts in fabric slings make them weak. It also makes them more susceptible to heat and friction than their metal counterparts. Wire or chain slings are often the best for carrying heavy or rough loads.

Hitch your load correctly.

Make sure your sling is attached to the right part of the load by checking it. Don’t hitch up to parts, like guard rails, that could come off during the lift.

Always attach the sling to the most stable part of the load to reduce the chance it will come off or shift while moving.

Keep the lines of communication open.

If a load is set up correctly, it is less likely that someone will get hurt while lifting it. But the people who work on the ground still have to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.

Keeping this in mind, it is important to communicate well. To ensure this is the case, ensure that someone is in charge of sending signals to the person running the crane and their colleagues on the ground.

Before the signaler gives the crane operator the go-ahead, each member of the rigging team should be clear of pinch points and the load’s possible sway. You should never go under a load that is being moved.

One way to maintain clear communication lines is to have walkie-talkies. Ensure that everyone on the site has a walkie-talkie that gives you peace of mind that they can all hear what is being communicated.

To make the site even safer, provide bright jackets that make it easy for the crane operator to see everyone.

Be ultra cautious when bringing down the load.

Before the operator lowers the load, ensure the environment can handle the weight. If you need to guide the load, use a tagline, and if you’re walking with the load, make sure it stays close to the ground.

Clear your feet of anything that might be in the way. Stay alert, and don’t get stuck between the load and the surface.

Parting shot

These are some of the best practices you must implement when working with cranes. By doing this, you will not only have peace of mind that your site is safe, but you will also speed up your site’s workings.

As mentioned, ensure that the crane you rent from crane rentals VA can handle the load you are looking to lift.

4 Things to Consider When Renting Lifting And Rigging Equipment

crane services

When you have a rigging project, you should get into any rigging services store and rent any rigging equipment, right? Well, this isn’t the case. To rent the right unit, you need to consider a number of factors that include:

Your load limit

This is the weight you will be lifting. When you are in the rental stores, pay attention to the working load limit, which is the maximum weight that the tool can safely handle when lifting, moving, and carrying.

If the rigging unit is properly maintained, you can easily locate and read the figures, but if you are having a problem finding it, ask the representatives to help you.

Never use rigging or lifting equipment that can’t carry your desired weight to avoid accidents on your site.

Your environment

You might be wondering how your environment will influence the type of machine you should rent, right? Two major environmental factors that greatly influence the rigging equipment you go for are temperature and humidity.

If your project is in an extremely hot area, you want a machine made from tough material that can withstand high temperatures.

This means that you should stay away from a machine made from nylon. You also should stay away from nylon slings that will get damaged by the high temperatures.

If having your project in a highly humid area, such as near water bodies, you need to ensure that the equipment you hire is corrosion resistant. This calls for you to ensure that your rigging equipment is made from corrosion-resistant materials such as webbing and stainless steel.

Condition of the rigging equipment

You don’t want to hire an equipment that breaks down the moment it reaches your work site, do you? To ensure this doesn’t happen, pay close attention to its condition before renting.

When you are in the rental stores, ask to see the maintenance records. You should carefully go through the records and ensure that the machine is in tiptop shape. It will even be better if you can contact the maintenance company to confirm the details.

Many people make the mistake of only inspecting the rigging equipment only when they are hiring it, which is wrong. Even if the machine checks out when you are renting it, you still need to regularly inspect it before you start any project.

Your budget

The amount of money you are planning to spend on the rigging equipment will influence the type of rigging machine you will get.

While there are all types of machines you can rent, avoid renting one that is too small as you will significantly reduce your output. In some cases, you might find yourself spending too much money than if you had rented a larger machine.

Different rental companies rent their equipment at different prices, so you should take your time to visit different companies and see what they offer. As a rule of thumb, rent from a moderately priced company, stocking high quality rigging equipment.

You can cut the costs further by renting most of your rigging supplies from the same company. This way you attract huge discounts, which see you saving a lot of money in the long run.

As you are renting the rigging equipment, don’t rent from a company with only one machine. The reason for this is that the machine can break down regularly, and the last thing you want is your machine breaking down, and you can’t get a replacement as soon as you would want to.

As you can guess, when your crane rentals services VA company can’t replace your machine soon enough, your project stalls, and you fall behind schedule. In other cases, you are forced to rent another machine, which sees you spending more money than planned.

As much as a more established company will cost you a little extra for its machines, you are better off paying the higher costs as you are not only guaranteed that the machines are properly maintained, but also sure that in the event the current machine breaks down, you will easily get a replacement without wasting a lot of time.

You also won’t be required to spend extra money as you don’t need to hire another machine.

What Is The Difference Between A Crane And A Boom Truck?

If having a construction project, you must be wondering whether to go for crane hire or hire a boom truck. Most people are confused about the two as both are similar. They both have a cabin for the operator, an arm to lift the boom, and a loading bucket. You can also use either to reach inaccessible heights easily.

While this is the case, the two machines aren’t the same—they have several differences. The most striking one is that a crane has counterweights while a boom truck doesn’t have the weights.

Would you love to know more about these machines? Here is what you need to know:

Boom trucks

Boom trucks are equipped with a winch that comes in handy at lifting loads, just like a typical crane. And they can lift loads of varying sizes and weights depending on where you are using them. Due to its large size, you can use the boom truck to lift heavy and large loads.

Some trucks have a loading bucket you can use to lift people in high places to carry specific jobs such as maintenance work.

Types of boom trucks

You can categorize boom trucks into two major types: fixed and swing cab. The fixed cab has one cab, the driver’s cab, and all the boom controls are located here. As you can guess, this is where the operator will work during the lift.

The fixed boom truck looks like a standard truck with a boom on the back. Due to this, it’s shorter and more compact than the swing cab.

While this comes in handy at improving the machine’s maneuverability, it restricts you on the types of lifts you can perform. And this can be a serious challenge in situations where visibility is compromised, such as when working between two buildings.

The swinging cab, just like its name, is more flexible. Some people refer to it as the truck having swing seats as it has a separate operator’s cab mounted on a flatbed. The cab is attached to, moves, and rotates with the boom.

Due to this, the truck has more range of motion, so it’s able to handle a wider variety of lifts. The operator’s field is also greatly improved in this type of truck, making it a great choice for intricate and delicate jobs.

While the fixed and swinging cab trucks are the most popular, there are plenty of other boom trucks you can rent, such as boom truck cranes and bucket truck cranes.

The boom truck cranes are the most popular, and they are often known as boom cranes. They feature a telescopic arm and work like a typical crane when lifting and moving heavy loads.

The crane’s arm consists of two primary structures: the main boom and jib.

The bucket truck is used to elevate people, and it comes with a platform that allows people to stand and work while keeping their tools nearby. Some trucks come with all the necessary features that make lifting easy, but in some cases, the crane rental company adds the accessory to the machine’s arm.

Cranes

You use cranes for lifting and moving heavy materials and equipment. The cool thing is you can use them in a wide range of industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Cranes feature cables, chains, ropes, and winders.

Like boom trucks, there are many types of cranes in the market, but they are classified as mobile or fixed cranes. Fixed cranes are heavily used in construction sites where they are used to lift heavier loads as they are more stable.

On the other hand, Mobile cranes are mounted on tracks or tires, and they are used for different tasks across different industries. Due to their making, they are often used to carry lighter loads.

Should you rent a boom truck or a crane?

The answer to this question is it depends on the task you are looking to accomplish. If you aren’t sure about the right machine to rent, get the input of an expert working in crane rentals DC.

Are Boom Lifts Safe? Crane Hire Experts Answer

When having a construction project, you need a boom lift to execute and complete a construction project properly. Due to the size, scale, and structure of the equipment, the lift comes with plenty of risks such that you can hurt or even kill yourself and other people in the area if you aren’t keen. Are you wondering, are boom lifts safe? Yes, they are safe if you handle them with caution.

To help you out, here are boom lift safety tips as given by experts working in crane hire companies:

Keep a clear base and circumference.

When you are using the boom lift, ensure the base, and the entire boom lift circumference is clear. This means there should be no one working under the lift. This minimizes the chances of someone getting hit by falling objects.

Although rare, it’s also possible for the boom lift to tip over and injure anyone working near it. Keeping the area clear ensures everyone is safe even if the entire structure tips over.

Always wear a harness.

Although simple, a harness is a vital attire when it comes to your safety when operating and working with a boom lift. No one should get in the platform without wearing a harness and having the lanyard fully secured to the bucket. While it might seem like no one can fall out of the platform, things can quickly get out of control. For example, even a minor bump can throw the crane operator off-balance.

A strong wind gust can also knock someone off the platform, causing serious injury.

Don’t exceed the weight limit.

Each boom lift you rent will come with a weight capacity that you shouldn’t exceed for you to be safe. You should note that going over this limit, even slightly, will make the top of the lift too heavy, putting it at the risk of topping over.

To ensure you don’t exceed the weight capacity, always account for the weight of the operator and the tools and materials on the platform. Also, don’t use the boom to lift exceedingly heavy supplies.

Work with trained lift operators.

Many people hire their friends and relatives when having construction projects. You can hire them in other sections of the project but don’t hire them to operate the crane. To keep the process safe, and reduce the chances of accidents happening, ensure a reputable operator only handles the crane.

Most of the crane rental companies will rent you the crane together with a crane operator, but if the rental company doesn’t have a designated operator, take your time and interview several experts for the position. As a rule of thumb, ensure the contractor you hire is experienced enough and has the necessary knowledge and skills.

Don’t climb or sit on the outer edges.

When you are in the boom lift, it’s easy to be tempted to climb on the edge of the platform when reaching out for something, instead of moving the entire boom lift to reach it. While it might seem harmless, it’s perilous.

Climbing or sitting on the edge of the platform increases your chances of falling off and incurring serious injuries. If there is something, you want to collect, communicate with the boom lift operator and ask them to get the boom to a safe position where you can easily reach what you need.

Ensure the lift is on a stable ground

The height the boom lift can extend makes it vulnerable to tipping over. To reduce the chances of this happening, ensure the boom is on stable ground. You also should ensure you use the lift brakes properly.

Avoid working in windy conditions.

If your boom lift can extend extremely high, the wind poses substantial concern as it can knock over the lift putting the life of the operator and that of others at the site at significant risk. To be safe, avoid using the boom lift in extremely windy situations as it can fall over.

Other than the maximum weight capacity, each lift also has a limit on the amount of wind the lift can withstand. Rigging services DC providers recommend you check the manual to understand the specific restrictions of the lift and identify the strategies of using the lift in challenging weather.

4 Benefits Of Renting A Truck From A Boom Truck Rental

boom truck rental

Also known as a basket crane, hydra ladder or cherry picker, the boom truck is designed to carry people and equipment for aerial work. The most common application is electrical and telephone employees that use the boom lift to reach the power lines.

If having a project that requires you to lift equipment or workers, you also should get a boom truck. Some people, when they have many or long term projects, they opt to buy a boom truck, but you shouldn’t follow suit. Instead, you should rent the truck from your local boom truck rental.

Renting the truck comes with plenty of benefits that include:

You save more money

For you to buy the boom truck, you have to put up a colossal amount of money upfront, which can eat up into your accounts hence straining your business. The only way to make money from the machine is to rent it out or keep it busy all the time.

If you don’t have a lot of jobs to keep the boom truck busy, you will be wasting money buying one. Owning the truck comes with plenty of other costs and responsibilities such as hiring and training operators, getting insurance, and pursuing government licensing.

You also should factor in the cost of fueling the machine, maintaining, and once you are done, storing it.

When you rent the truck instead of buying, you don’t have to worry about taking care of the truck or fueling it. The money you save from renting you can direct it into other areas of the project.

You avoid plenty of headaches.

There is a lot that goes on to ensure that the crane is performing optimally. You have to undertake fluid checks, breakdowns, greasing, testing, depreciation, and many others. When you buy the truck, you have to think about all this. As you can guess, maintaining one truck is a daunting task, so you can imagine what it would be like maintaining an entire fleet.

When you rent the truck, you free up your time and money as it’s the rental company that manages the truck—it’s not your responsibility.

Renting gives your business more flexibility.

Plenty of things can affect a business: recessions, changing regulations, market volatility, tight profit margins, demands from customers, pandemics, just to name a few. When you buy a heavy machine such as a boom truck, you have a hard time responding to a decline in business as you can’t easily dispose it.

This isn’t the case when you rent the machine. In the event your business isn’t doing well, you can easily stop renting the machine and restructure your business.

Renting makes it possible to handle multiple jobs.

If you have many projects in different areas, you need several types of cranes for the project to continue flawlessly. When you buy the crane, you can’t have one crane at several places at the same time, so you have to complete the project in one area then move the machine to another area, which results in delays.

This isn’t the case when you are renting. When you have many projects going on at the same time, you simply need to rent many machines, and the project will go on flawlessly.

What should you consider when working with the rental company?

Due to the many benefits, it’s apparent that it’s better to rent than to buy a boom truck. While this is the case, you shouldn’t rent from any company. Take your time and find a reputable one.

One of the things you should look out for is the reputation of the company. Has it been around for a long time? How is its reputation? To find out, you should ask for the contact details of prior clients. Get in touch with the contacts and ask them about their experience with the company.

If the company has a stellar record, go ahead and work with it. If not, stay away from it.

Are you going to have multiple projects at the same time? You should pay attention to the number of boom trucks the company has. You want to work with a company with many machines.

Lastly, you need to think about whether the company is insured. Accidents can happen any time, so to protect yourself, rent crane truck VA from an insured company.

Boom Truck Rental: Ways In Which You Can Use A Boom Truck

When you are having a construction project, it’s paramount that you rent a boom truck from a boom truck rental. The unit has many features that allow it to do its work. These features make it possible for you to use the crane in many different ways. Some of the most popular ways are:

Using the truck as a hydraulic crane

This one allows you to lift heavy and unconventionally shaped items from the floor to the roof. You are able to do this due to the presence of the hydraulic extension that you can use to perform a wide range of hoists.

The amount of weight that you can lift using the crane depends on the size of the crane and the length of the boom.

In most cases, you use the truck to lift lighter materials. For example, you can use it to lift an 800 lb air conditioning unit. The cool thing with using the boom truck as a crane is that it’s faster, travels more easily and you are able to set it up fast.

Most of the crane rental companies charge by the amount of time that you spend with the crane. Since the boom truck is able to do the job faster than a typical crane, you complete the project fast thus you save time and money.

Using the boom truck as a Flatbed truck

The flatbed provides you with a space for items that you are looking to transport to and from the different areas of the work site. The size of items that the truck can carry depends on the size of the truck. If you have a large boom truck, you carry more items and vice versa.

You can carry almost any item using the truck. You only need to ensure that the item is properly placed in place and can’t fall. If it’s large, be cautious that you don’t hit other items on the site thus end up damaging the item.

Using the boom truck as a personnel hoist

The hoist lifts the workers in the air allowing them to reach and inspect the construction site at different angles. One of the most common applications of the boom truck is hoisting technicians in the air so that they can access the antenna at the top of the cell tower.

In most cases, the technicians need to be hoisted up about 100 feet in the air. The crane is able to do it when its long enough. When you are using the crane for this purpose, ensure that its equipped with the right man-basket that can accommodate at least two people.

Working with boom trucks

For you to get the most from boom trucks you need to use them properly. One of the things you should do is to ensure that you use the right sized unit. You also should ensure that you use the right type of boom truck.

There are many types of these trucks on the market that you can go with, with the most common ones being:

Fixed cab: The fixed cab has a cabin that faces one specific direction. This restricts the load that can be lifted by the crane. The most attractive thing about this crane is that it’s versatile able to move and carry the load to the required site.

You should note that while the cabin faces only one direction, you can move the boom to any desired direction.

Swing cab: The swing cab is more versatile and useful than the fixed cab. The crane is able to move the operator’s cabin in tune with the booms movement. The crane has a number of great features such as: improved vision and great mobility.

Do you have a telescopic boom? You can improve the functionality of the crane thus use it in the construction sites.

When renting the trucks, take care of where you rent from. As rule of thumb, rent from reputable crane rentals VA. This way you are sure that the crane is properly maintained and will give you a long service before it develops problems.

You also should ensure that you rent from a company with a number of trucks. When you do this, you can be sure that you can get another crane in the event the one you are using fails or is unable to do the work you are handling. The good thing is that most of the rental companies will replace the crane without asking for additional money.

Boom Truck Rental: Understanding The Boom Truck Crane

A boom truck crane is a heavy-duty machinery that you can use on a wide range of projects. You can use it to lift, lower, and even load heavy objects. If you are interested in the unit, you only need to visit your local boom truck rental companies.

These trucks are common in the construction sites and loading docks. When using them in tight spaces, you should go with those that have a short compact boom (knuckle boom), but if space isn’t an issue, you should go with those that feature a flat extension along the length of the truck bed (trolley boom).

A properly functioning boom truck can lift up to 50 tons.

Types of boom truck cranes

There are many types of these cranes in the market that you can go for. The most common are:

Fixed cab: This unit is built with a cabin for the operator. The cabin faces one direction which brings about the issue of mobility. The main benefit of the unit is that it’s able to carry a large load. The good thing is that the boom moves in all directions.

Swing cab: The swing cab has a more versatile design that allows the cabin to move in line with the boom. The benefit of this is that the operator has a wide range of vision and a greater range of mobility.

The truck accepts different types of booms allowing you to work in different areas.

Bucket crane: Also known as the aerial boom truck, this unit is ideal when you are handling a telecom, utility, and forestry project. From its name, the unit features a lifting arm with a bucket at the end that gives you a safe and stable platform for the workers to stand in.

For increased safety, the buckets are made from fiberglass and other dielectric materials.

Guide to renting the boom truck crane

As mentioned, when you need the crane you don’t need to buy one—you only need to visit your local crane service provider and hire one. For you to hire the right unit you need to consider a number of factors:

One of the factors to consider is the use of the crane. How are going to use it? As rule of thumb, you should hire one that matches your needs. You also need to consider the safety issues. The safer the crane, the better.

For you to get the most from the crane, ensure that you rent it from a reputable crane rental service provider.