Tag Archives: crane hire tips

Guide to Hiring the Right Crane for Your Project and Save Money

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When you are looking to hire a crane for your project, you want a crane that will not only perfectly handle your project, but also save you money, right? If this is the first time you hire a crane from crane rental services, here are tips to ensure you hire the right unit.

When you have a small site

You need a small crane if you have a low-intensity site with a small number of workers (12-15) and a required lift capacity of up to two tonnes.

A classic example is when you are building a timber frame or conventional house using pallets of bricks, blocks, and mortar. In such an instance, you need a small tower crane controlled by a remote control.

You can considerably cut your running costs by employing this type of crane with one worker loading the hook and operating the crane controls.

You should teach many site workers to undertake this function, allowing you to continue operating in the event of an absence rather than waiting for a single trained operator to return.

As you can tell, this keeps the crane operational and the project on track. You also don’t rely on one person to do all the work.

When you have a large or busy site

A tower crane will be more appropriate if your loads exceed two tons at 30 meters, and your project will take 20 weeks or longer.

Saddle jib or flat-top cranes are available in various height and jib configurations, making them more versatile and less expensive to hire than mobile cranes with comparable lifting capabilities.

Be cautious of the height of the crane.

The height of a crane significantly impacts costs. The tall crane is not only expensive to hire, but also requires a larger and stronger base to withstand the stresses, which necessitates a lot more concrete and steel.

Taller cranes also require more electricity and emit more carbon emissions. As a result, even a modest reduction in the height required for your lifting requirements might significantly impact your overall costs.

Before you hire a crane, take your time and find out if there is any way you can hire a slightly shorter crane than you would ordinarily need. This calls for you to work closely with experienced contractors who know what they are doing.

Watch where you position the crane.

The placement of the crane, as well as other construction site factors, will impact your final expenses. A common example is when a materials shop is placed in the middle of a courtyard or the center of the site.

This means that if you have more than one crane, when one is loading, the other cannot get to the materials and must sit idle, wasting time.

This configuration significantly increases the likelihood of collisions and makes site operations complex and inefficient.

To save time and money, set up the materials store conveniently. This way, you will have maximum hook time and low crane-hire expenses.

Ensure you have enough power.

Three-phase power is required for sites installing a lift shaft, as most tall buildings do. Wherever possible, you should install power as the first thing, allowing you to use mains power for the tower crane during construction.

This is substantially less expensive than using a generator with its related hire charges, fuel tank, and fuel.

Be cautious of the rental company you hire from

The rental company you choose to hire from has a significant impact on the crane you hire and your experience.

As a rule, don’t hire from a rental company with a single or a few cranes. This is because you won’t get a replacement crane in the event the one you are using breaks down.

The best way to do it is to hire from a company with many cranes. As much as the company is expensive, you should note that you might save a lot of money in the long run.

This is because if the crane you are using breaks down, you need to notify the rental company, and they replace the crane at no extra cost on your part.

Hire a well-maintained crane.

How well-maintained the crane is is important as it determines how well it functions, not to mention how much money you spend.

As a rule of thumb, you should hire a crane that is in perfect shape. This calls for you to do a double or even triple-check on the maintenance records of the crane and ensure that it’s well taken care of.

You should avoid a poorly maintained crane as it will keep breaking down, and you don’t want this.

A well-maintained crane will indeed be a little expensive to hire, but in the long run, it will be cheaper as it will function more efficiently and won’t break down too regularly, which means that you will complete your project without many complications, and within the shortest time possible.

Parting shot

You don’t have to be complicated when it comes to saving money when undertaking crane hire VA. You only need simple modifications to lower your expenses throughout a building project, both in one-time hire prices and continuing operational expenditures.

When doing the hiring, don’t hire from any company. Instead, take your time and hire from a reputable company with many cranes to hire from.

As a rule of thumb, don’t hire from a small company with a single crane. Even if they give you a great offer, they might be too expensive.

As mentioned, a small crane company has no replacement crane when the one you are using breaks down. The consequence is you are forced to hire another crane from a different company, which, as you can tell, is too costly.

Heavy Machinery Movers: Which Is the Best for You?

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Moving big machinery is difficult and often requires the use of specialized equipment. The common areas you need to undertake heavy machinery moving are in industrial and construction environments.

If you want to move heavy machinery, a wide range of heavy equipment movers are available. They include:

Forklifts

Forklifts are flexible equipment to lift and move large machinery within a facility. They are available in various capacities and configurations, ranging from small electric forklifts for interior use to bigger diesel-powered forklifts for outdoor use.

Forklifts are ideal for short-distance transportation, but you can also use them for long-distance or off-road movements.

When hiring a forklift, consider the task you want to undertake with the machine. Are you using it in warehouse operations, construction, or manufacturing? Think about this before hiring.

You also need to determine the forklift’s weight capacity and height requirements. This will give you an idea of what the forklift can do and the areas you can use it.

Finally, consider the topography and operating circumstances of the forklift. Are you looking to use it inside, outdoors, or in a difficult terrain? Think about this and hire the right one.

Mobile cranes

Mobile cranes are known for their capacity to lift and transport huge items. There are many types of these cranes, including hydraulic, rough, and all-terrain cranes.

Mobile cranes are ideal for moving heavy machinery on building sites and other outdoor locations. You can equip them with various attachments to meet specific lifting and movement needs.

When hiring mobile cranes, ensure that you hire the right ones that will be able to lift your intended equipment and navigate your area.

The last thing you want is to hire a crane to discover that you can’t use it in your location.

Crawler cranes

These are tracked, self-propelled machines built for large lifting. These machines have the benefit of being stable and mobile on rough terrain, making them ideal for moving big machinery in difficult situations.

Crawler cranes are best used in major construction projects when agility is critical.

When hiring the crane, ensure that it can work in your area.

Transporter systems

Self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) are specialized equipment for transferring big loads. These systems comprise several wheeled modules that may be separately operated, providing for precision movement and weight distribution.

SPMTs are best used to transport huge and heavy machinery, such as transformers and industrial components.

Rigging and skidding equipment

Rigging and skidding equipment comprises hydraulic jacks, skid shoes, and other items used to lift, move, and position heavy machines.

This equipment is best used when moving machinery in a restricted space or when a more cost-effective alternative is required.

Towing and recovery vehicles

Towing and recovery vehicles are used to transport broken or damaged heavy machinery. These vehicles are available in various sizes and capabilities, making them suited for various recovery and transportation jobs.

Hydraulic platform trailers

Hydraulic platform trailers are designed to transport large and heavy goods. They feature hydraulic systems you can change to handle different weights and sizes. These trailers are widely used on public roadways to move big equipment across long distances.

Things to consider when hiring heavy equipment movers

For you to get the most from the machinery you are hiring, you need to consider several things, including:

Weight and dimensions of the machinery

You must consider the weight and dimensions of the equipment you must transport. Heavier and larger machinery may necessitate using specialist machinery movers such as mobile cranes, crawler cranes, or transporter systems.

Choosing the right heavy machinery movers is critical in logistics to ensure industrial equipment’s safe and efficient movement.

Terrain and location

The terrain and location you are looking to use the machine are critical factors in selecting the right mover. Rough terrain may necessitate crawlers or all-terrain mobile cranes, while indoor environments may benefit from forklifts or rigging equipment.

Distance and accessibility

The distance that you need to move the moving machine and the route’s accessibility are critical considerations you should make.

If you want to move the equipment over a long distance, you should go with hydraulic platform trailers or specialist carriers, whereas indoor or tight places may need rigging equipment.

Safety

Compliance with safety standards and permissions may determine which machinery mover suits your requirements.

Always make sure that you are adhering to all legal and safety regulations to prevent accidents from coming about.

As a rule of thumb, ensure your machinery is strong enough to move your intended machine.

When transporting heavy machinery, footwear is extremely vital because anything that falls might easily injure personnel’s feet. This can lead to issues like accident litigation and employees missing work, which you certainly don’t want to happen.

To keep your employees safe, provide them with the relevant footwear.

You can use machine skates for smaller machinery that must be transported across your business.

Machine skates are an excellent alternative for moving machinery across a factory or shop floor without heavy lifting. As the name implies, this entails placing the equipment on ultra-strong machine-moving skates to transport it to its new location effortlessly.

You should use lifting jacks when placing the machinery on top of the machine skates. Installing the machinery on the skates takes little time, depending on the size of the machinery you are lifting.

Parting shot

You can use this equipment to move heavy machinery for crane rigging DC or any other task.

For an easy time, maintain clear communication with everyone involved.

Tips to Having a Smooth Crane Experience

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When you rent a crane from crane rentals, regardless of the type of crane you rent, you want a smooth process. The good thing is that it’s possible to do it. To help you out, here are tips to follow:

Undertake thorough research

No matter what you’re looking for, the Internet can make it easy for you to find a match. When it comes to renting a crane, all you have to do is click a few buttons.

But if you go with the first great deal, you put your building job at risk that you don’t need to. It’s easy to be surprised by secret fees from a service that isn’t as trustworthy as it claims to be.

To avoid falling prey, take your time.

When you are researching the cranes, don’t be in a rush to hire the first one you come across. Instead, take time to find out more about the crane and the crane company.

For example, you should learn about the company’s qualifications. How long has it been in operation? How many cranes does it have? Are these cranes properly maintained?

Only after finding out this information should you go ahead with the next step.

For a great experience, ensure that the company you rent from has many cranes to hire. This way, you have peace of mind that if one of your cranes fails to work, you can easily replace it without incurring an additional fee.

When you hire a crane from a small company with just one crane, in the event the crane breaks down, you have to wait for the company to fix it. If you are in a hurry, you must put in more money and rent a different one. As you can guess, this means you spend more money than planned.

Properly prepare the cranes.

Aside from renting a crane, getting the site ready is an important thing to consider. Is everything ready for the crane, including the rigging tools and any other details that might come up? You need to fact this out for you to have a great experience.

During transportation, is it necessary to get a pass to use the road around the project site? Can you stay in touch with the rental service during the transfer process to ensure everything goes well?

Before renting a crane for your business, you need to know the answers to all these questions.

Remember that most rental companies will charge you by the hour. This means that the more you stay with the crane, the more you pay for it.

To save on the money you will spend, take your time and properly prepare the site for the crane. The last thing you should do is to start clearing the site when the crane arrives. Doing this means you will spend too much time with the crane; hence, you spend too much money without getting much in return.

Hire trained operators

Hiring people who know how to use your crane and have the right training and safety certifications will help keep you and your other workers safe while the crane is in use.

Most cranes will often have experienced crane operators you can work with. The cool thing about working with such a professional is that you are sure they are conversant with the crane; hence they are less likely to cause an accident.

If the crane company doesn’t have a staff you can work with, it’s up to you to find a reputable professional. When hiring, ensure the professional is certified to work with cranes in your area. It will even be better if the professional is conversant with the crane you are working with.

Maintain safety measures

There is no way your project can progress smoothly when accidents are constantly happening, right?

To ensure this doesn’t happen, you should maintain high safety measures.

You should ensure that everyone getting on the crane puts on a harness and that the lanyard is fully attached to the bucket.

Even though it seems unlikely that an operator will fall off the platform, even the smallest bump from another piece of equipment or item can throw them off balance and put them at risk of falling.

Even a strong gust of wind could knock someone off the platform or knock them down and hurt them badly.

Another thing you should do is to ensure that you don’t go over the weight limit.

Each crane can hold a certain amount of weight. It is important to know about the weight limit and ensure that you stay within it.

Remember that even a small amount over this limit could make the crane top-heavy and cause it to fall over.

Before using a crane, always add up the weight of the operator and all tools and materials on the platform to ensure the total weight doesn’t exceed the suggested limit.

You should avoid working in extremely windy situations when working with a tower crane. This is because when a crane is extended too high, the wind can be a big safety risk.

If the wind is strong enough, it can knock the tower crane over completely, damaging property and hurting people on the site.

To stay on the safe side, avoid using a tower crane when it is very windy or when the weather is bad.

Parting shot

While it may appear like plenty of work and effort is involved in having a smooth crane experience, working with cranes safely and successfully is not something to be taken lightly.

The last thing you want is to make blunders that could prove costly later on. By following the above suggestions, you will make the process as painless as possible.

As mentioned above, work with a reputable crane hire DC company that stocks high-quality cranes and knows what it’s doing.

Tips To Consider When Rigging A Crane

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When you are undertaking crane rigging, you need to do several things to be safe and prevent accidents from coming about. Some of these things include:

Use the correct equipment

You should always use the right rigging equipment, as using the wrong equipment can be dangerous and can damage the load or even the machine. Some of the equipment you can use include:

Tag line: This is a small rope often attached to the load and used to guide it during the lifting process. The tagline comes in handy to help the operator maintain control of the load and prevent it from swinging.

When choosing a tagline, ensure that the line is strong enough to handle the weight of the load. The line should also be long enough for the load you want to move.

The material used in making the tagline plays a vital role when it comes to strength and durability, so ensure that it’s made from tough materials.

A final factor often ignored is the visibility of the tagline. To have an easy time keeping track of the load and avoid accidents, use a tagline made from a reflective material. It also doesn’t hurt if the line has a bright color.

Chokers: Chokers secure a load by wrapping around it, and in the process, it prevents the load from shifting during the lifting process.

When choosing the chokers, pay attention to the type of load you are lifting. This is because different chokers are designed for different applications. For example, rope chokers are best suited for round or cylindrical loads, while chain ones are better suited for irregularly shaped loads.

The load capacity is another important factor to consider. You should get a choker that is strong enough to carry the load you are looking to lift.

Rigging chokers are made from different materials, each with strengths and weaknesses. As a rule of thumb, go for one strong enough to lift your load.

Spreader bars: Spreader bars balance and stabilize heavy loads. They prevent the load from tilting or shifting during the lifting process. Like the other tools, choose spreader bars with the right dimensions, load, and other features.

Inspect the equipment

Before using any rigging equipment, inspect it for signs of wear or damage. If you find any issues, do not use the equipment and replace it with something in good condition.

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Each type of rigging equipment has specific guidelines for how it should be used. Follow these guidelines to ensure the equipment is used safely and correctly.

Keep open lines of communication.

You need to keep the lines of communication open at all times. This means that from the crane operator to the riggers, everyone should communicate with each other to ensure that all the work on the site progresses safely and efficiently.

Besides providing walkie-talkies, you also should ensure that everyone on the site can use hand signals or other forms of communication to keep the operator informed of any changes or issues.

Keep the equipment in top shape.

You need to ensure that your crane is always in top shape. Many people inspect the crane when hiring, but this isn’t enough—you should also inspect it every time you are doing the lifting work.

Before you lift the load, let an experienced rigger or crane operator go through all the parts, including the slings, and ensure they are all in perfect shape.

Even when you are done with lifting, go over the machine and confirm that all parts are in good condition. Of course, when you see a problem, regardless of how minor it is, fix it.

Parting shot

These are tips you should consider when rigging a crane. For peace of mind, ensure that the rigging work is done by an expert that knows what they are doing. For the best outcome, hire the professional from the same crane rentals VA you hire the machines.

This way, you are sure that they are conversant with the cranes, and they are more likely to do an excellent job.

Common Crane Accident Causes And How To Prevent Them

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Since they are large, heavy, and carry heavy loads, cranes are often prone to accidents brought about by a number of factors. Which are these factors? Here they are as given by crane services:

Improper crane assembly

This happens when you improperly set up the crane. The reason why your crane won’t be properly set up is when you hire inexperienced professionals.

To avoid an accident from coming about due to improper crane assembly, hire the right professionals. As a rule of thumb, hire professionals with significant experience with the crane. You will even be better off hiring professionals working in the crane rental company.

To add another layer of safety, have the workers inspected by a senior competent and qualified professional.

While these professionals will charge you a little extra, they will be worth it as you will be sure they know what they are doing.

Improper training

Like other machines, people handing cranes need to be properly trained on proper crane handling and how to use them safely. To save money, some people hire the cheapest workers they can find.

In most cases, the cheap service providers are untrained and inexperienced, so they have a high chance of doing the wrong things and causing accidents.

To avoid accidents due to improperly trained workers, never hire untrained contractors. All the crane workers should be expertly trained in properly handling and using cranes. They also should have completed OSHA courses on proper crane operation.

Even if you have hired the best-trained workers, you should still train them at the work site to remind them of the crane dangers and how they should conduct themselves in an emergency.

Mechanical failures

Accidents due to mechanical failures happen when the crane stops working in the middle of a lift. Thankfully, you can easily prevent these failures by adequately maintaining the crane.

Inspect the crane as you are hiring it from the local rental stores. While there, insist on seeing the maintenance records and, as a rule of thumb, ensure that the crane is in top shape.

You also should make it a habit to inspect the crane before the start of the project and before you do any lift. This way, you have an easy time identifying issues with the crane and fixing them before you do the lifting.

Besides the crane, you also should inspect the rigging materials and confirm they aren’t worn out and are free of tears.

Overturned crane

What would make a crane overturn and cause an accident? The most common reason is overloading the machine. When you make the machine carry a heavier load than it’s supposed to, it will overturn.

The other reason is hiring an inexperienced crane operator. The same way some people hire unskilled crane workers is the same way they hire amateur crane operators. As you can guess, when the crane is under the control of an inexperienced operator, chances are high that it will overturn, among many other risks.

To prevent the crane from overturning, you should only load it the maximum allowed weight. Before you begin your project, check the manual to tell how much weight the crane can carry.

Some people try to cut costs by hiring a smaller crane for their project. Don’t do this. While you will save some money by hiring a smaller machine, you increase the chances of overloading the machine as you have to make it carry more weight so that you can complete the project on time.

The other way to prevent your crane from overturning is to ensure that it’s under the control of an experienced crane operator that knows what they are doing.

For peace of mind, hire the operator from the same rental company you hire the crane.

Ensure that the crane operator you hire is certified by a nationally accredited crane operator testing organization such as the National Commission for the certification of crane operators (NCCCO).

Parting shot

These are some common causes of crane accidents at the work site and how to prevent them from happening. To avoid accidents, hire a properly maintained crane from the crane hire VA.

You also should ensure that you work with experienced professionals that know what they are doing. You don’t want newbies that will mess up your project, do you?