Tag Archives: crane hire

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

crane hire

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?

crane services

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.

Tricks to Spend Less with Rented Cranes

crane services

When hiring a crane for your project, you don’t want to spend too much on it. Profit margin drives decision-making in every aspect of construction, and even seemingly insignificant project modifications—like overspending or underperforming equipment—can have a big effect on the final financial result.

Due to this, getting every detail right is crucial.

When renting cranes from the crane rentals, you can avoid overspending by taking the time to plan and procure cranes, as well as by taking into account some basic site considerations.

The things you need to consider include:

Rent a small cane for small sites

A small crane with a remote control is the most economical option if you have a low-intensity site with a small workforce (12–15 workers, for example) and a required lift capacity of up to two tonnes, which would suggest you were building something with a timber frame or conventional houses using pallets of bricks, blocks, and mortar.

You will reduce the running costs greatly if you employ a remote-controlled model that only requires one person to load the hook and operate the crane controls.

Additionally, you can train multiple site workers to perform this task, allowing you to continue working without waiting for a single trained worker to return. This keeps the crane running and the project moving forward.

If, on the other side, you have a large site, you should get a tower crane. This crane is ideal when loads exceed two tones at thirty meters, and your project takes over twenty weeks.

Compared to mobile cranes with a comparable lifting capacity, saddle jib or flat-top cranes are more affordable to hire and come in various height and jib configurations. So, if your project fits into the crane, go for it.

Hire cranes that are tall enough.

A crane’s height significantly influences costs. And it’s not just the cost of the rental. Also, the costs of keeping the crane running.

You need more concrete and steel for the base of a taller crane to be huge and strong enough to support the crane’s weight.

Additionally, taller cranes use more electricity and emit more carbon dioxide. Therefore, even a slight reduction in the height required for your lifting requirements might impact your overall expenditures.

To ensure that you don’t rent a crane that is too tall than you need, determine the highest point that the crane can reach. This dimension will assist you in figuring out the necessary crane height. As you decide on the right crane, consider any impediments or barriers that could limit the crane’s reach.

These include power lines, neighboring buildings, trees, and so on.

Position the materials appropriately.

The cranes’ location and other building site features will also impact your expenses. One well-known instance that frequently happens is when a materials shop is placed in the center of a courtyard or other open space on the property.

If you have multiple cranes, this implies that while one is loading, the other cannot reach the materials and must wait, wasting time in the process.

In addition to raising the chance of collisions, this configuration often makes site operations challenging and ineffective.

Optimizing the location of the materials store within the overall lifting plan will guarantee seamless operations, resulting in longer hook times and lower crane rental expenses.

For a great experience, provide open, unobstructed access to these locations.

You also should ensure the site has well-built walkways and access roads so the cranes can navigate it. These paths should be clear of obstructions and large enough to fit both cranes.

As a rule of thumb, have a specific location for storing the materials. Ensure that both cranes can easily access this area. This area should be placed strategically to reduce the distance that cranes must go to pick up items.

Ensure the crane has enough power.

You will need three-phase power if you install lift shafts—most tall structures do. The power should be installed as soon as possible to use the tower crane’s primary power during construction.

You should ensure that you have enough power before you bring on the crane because doing so is far less expensive than using a generator, even with the additional rental fees, fuel tank, and fuel.

You can cut the costs throughout a building project with a few easy adjustments, including one-time hire fees and continuous operating costs.

Work with the right team.

Finally, you should ensure that you have the right team. This calls for you to ensure that everyone, from the crane operator to the riggers, is experienced and knows what they are doing.

Many people will argue that you will end up spending more money than you need when hiring expert riggers, but this isn’t the case.

When you hire experts, as much as they will be a little expensive to hire at first, they will save you a lot of money in the long run.

When you hire inexperienced contractors, as much as they will be cheap, they might cost you too much money. This is because they will do substandard work, and you will have to redo it, which will likely be too expensive.

There is also the risk of the crane breaking down or even getting damaged due to being handled by inexperienced technicians.

As much as you want to spend less on your project, take time and find experienced professionals. Thankfully, most crane service DC providers have their team that they work with; hence, you don’t need to worry about finding the right team to work with.

Setting a Crane Tips

crane services

After renting a crane from crane services, and you are considering how to start the lifting, you should consider relevant factors such as the risk of the crane overturning or collapsing due to the foundations or supporting structure failing and the crane and foundations/supporting structure combination being unable to withstand the forces imposed on it.

The risk of the crane colliding with other plants, structures, or objects on the job site, as well as the loads and lift trajectories, including load pickup and drop off or installation locations, are other factors to consider.

The crane standing design should adhere to the crane manufacturer’s guidelines or the advice of a competent person, such as an engineer.

The crane standing should be constructed to withstand the stresses that the crane is anticipated to inflict on it while in, out of service, and during erecting and dismantling.

These forces include the crane’s dead weight, the load’s dead weight, and lifting attachments.

When a crane is supported by or linked to a permanent or temporary structure, the structure’s construction must be capable of withstanding the forces produced by the crane.

When the crane will be located near subsurface services, excavations, or embankments, precautions should be taken to maintain its stability.

Watch out for collisions.

If there is a chance of cranes colliding with other plants or structures, place the crane such that the clearance between the crane and its load and other plants, structures, and personnel is as small as possible.

The good thing is that cranes operating in close proximity may share the same airspace. People in each work area should confer and implement safe work systems to ensure enough space between cranes and where they operate. If you use multiple cranes, ensure that each work location appoints someone to implement the safe work system.

You should have a safety observer (also known as a ‘ spotter’) in areas where a collision between a crane and other plant or structures is possible.

You should call the local airport operator if cranes are set up in or near flight paths to find out where these are in the region where the crane is operating. You also should consider installing airplane warning lights on the crane’s highest point if necessary.

Be cautious when working near power lines.

You must guarantee that no person or crane at the site comes within a reasonable distance of an overhead or subsurface electric line.

If this is impossible, conduct a risk assessment and adopt risk-management controls. Control measures must be in accordance with the criteria of the Electricity Supply Authority.

Deploy a safety observer when the crane, its load, or anyone operating from the facility is in motion and will likely cross a restricted work zone around electric wires.

Electric lines can provide severe threats such as electrocution, arcing, explosion, or fire resulting in burns, unpredictable cable whiplash, and other electrified items such as signs, poles, trees, or branches.

Regardless of voltage, contact with energized overhead or subsurface electric lines can be lethal. Coming into contact with an overhead power line is not essential to be electrocuted. A ‘flashover’ or ‘arc’ can electrocute you when you are close to a line conductor.

The majority of dangers can be avoided by observing appropriate operating distances for persons and cranes working near power lines. The safe working distance will be determined by the sort of work being performed and the voltage of the electric wires.

To identify the type of control measures required, contact the relevant Electricity Supply Authority. This may entail disconnecting the power line for the length of the work.

You should note that contact with energized overhead electric lines may affect crane components such as tires and hydraulic and electrical systems.

If contact occurs, the crane should be taken out of service immediately until it has been inspected by a competent person and verified safe to resume regular operation.

Maintain crane stability

One of the main causes of severe crane accidents is a failure to maintain stability.

To ensure that your crane is stable, you need to consider the following:

Crane operation parameters that result in an overturning moment greater than the crane’s stabilizing moment—the crane counterweight typically provides the primary stabilizing moment, the ground conditions and means of supporting the outrigger pads or the crane tires

If the crane has moveable parts, the slope of the ground includes both the side slope and the slope of the ground in the direction of motion.

Wind conditions—will change depending on the size and shape of the suspended load and crane boom, as well as how the load is lifted or moved; for example, a sudden stop when mobilizing a load may cause the load to swing and destabilize the crane.

The load may swing suddenly if the crane moves abruptly when mobilizing or slewing.

Cranes should only be sited and operated on stable surfaces developed by a competent person, have the proper bearing pressure, and are free of major holes or indentations that could cause the crane and weight to move abruptly due to instability.

Consider the wind conditions.

Winds add additional weights to a crane and reduce its stability. When wind speeds exceed those suggested by the manufacturer, crane operations should be halted and, if necessary, the crane stowed.

The crane’s design wind speed should be specified in the manufacturer’s instructions and noted on the load chart(s). If you will be operating in areas with strong winds, check this information before you rent the crane from the crane rentals VA.

You should hire experienced crane operators as they will be aware that, depending on the boom length and luffing angle, the wind speed at the height of the load may be larger than the wind speed at the height of the crane’s cabin. As a consequence, they will be able to make the necessary adjustments.

The crane operators should base their decision on these variables to undertake a lift on the information provided by the crane manufacturer and guidance from competent individuals such as an engineer or rigger.

If the crane operator believes it is unsafe to lift the load, it should not be lifted until written authorization from a competent person confirming the load is safe to lift and how it is to be lifted is provided, or the conditions change, and the crane operator decides it is safe to make the lift.

5 Overhead Crane Myths You Should be Aware Of

Overhead cranes are highly versatile and can be used in various applications. Due to their versatility, there are plenty of myths surrounding them. These myths include:

You can get away with overloading the cranes.

The common misconception is that overhead cranes have several safety features, such as an overload prevention system, so you don’t have to worry about overloading the overhead crane.

Even if some sections of the overhead crane have built-in safety features, the overall safety of the overhead crane system cannot be guaranteed under overloading.

The reason for this is that overloading a crane can stress its components beyond their design limits, potentially resulting in structural failure. This can lead to catastrophic mishaps, such as the crane falling, putting workers in danger and inflicting extensive damage to the surrounding environment.

Even occasionally, overloading a crane can severely shorten the crane’s lifespan. Repetitive stress on the crane’s components can cause premature wear and tear, necessitating more regular maintenance and repairs.

Overloading a crane jeopardizes its stability and balance, increasing the possibility of an accident. The crane could also tip over or swing unexpectedly, endangering operators, adjacent employees, and the load itself.

Overloading can also damage crane components, including the hoist, trolley, wheels, and structural elements. This might lead to expensive repairs and downtime for the crane.

Loading a crane beyond capacity can even result in legal ramifications, fines, and regulatory penalties. When you rent a crane from crane rentals, it’s your responsibility to ensure the safety of your employees and equipment, and intentionally overloading a crane is a breach of workplace safety standards.

To stay on the safe side, always use your crane as per the laid down regulations. As a rule of thumb, never overload your machine.

You should lift until you reach the upper limit switch

The upper limit switch is a safety mechanism that prevents the crane from rising any higher when it has reached a predetermined safe height. Its purpose is to prevent collision with obstacles, the trolley from striking the end of the runway, and the hook assembly from potentially damaging the crane or the load.

The misconception is that you should lift your crane until it hits the upper limit switch. In overhead cranes, lifting till you hit the upper limit switch is not encouraged and can be dangerous.

Instability can result from lifting a weight until the upper limit switch engages. This is because you can have unexpected swinging or shifting of the load, which could result in accidents, injuries, or damage to the load itself.

Using only the upper limit switch can give you a false sense of security. Assuming that the limit switch will always avoid accidents, you can become complacent and fail to adequately examine the load, the surroundings, and other potential threats.

If the load is too heavy, the crane may approach the upper limit switch while remaining within its load capability. This can result in unintended overloading, which is dangerous and can harm the crane.

To protect your crane and prevent accidents, you should avoid relying on the limit switch and follow the right crane procedures instead.

The secondary brake will prevent injury.

In overhead cranes, a secondary brake is an additional safety element that provides an extra layer of protection if the primary brake system fails.

The primary brake system is in charge of stopping the crane’s motion when it is not in use, while the secondary brake is designed to engage in the case of a primary system failure, preventing the crane from moving unintentionally.

Some people think that just because the overhead crane has a secondary brake, they can work safely beneath a load. Well, this is wrong.

Secondary brakes are intended to serve as a backup safety measure in the event the primary braking system fails. They are not, however, a guarantee against unintentional crane movement, and depending entirely on secondary brakes while operating beneath a crane can still pose major safety risks.

Many risks come with working underneath a crane, even with all the brakes engaged, so you should avoid doing it. If you have to work beneath a crane, use correct safety measures, such as wearing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), staying clear of loads, and carefully collaborating with crane operators and other people working on the site.

Using the reverse button is the best way to stop the crane

The believe that when the crane is moving in one direction, the most convenient way to control velocity is to press the reversal button, is wrong.

Reverse plugging speed control was a viable method of controlling speed in the past, but for modern motors and contactors, which are much more compact, heat causes premature component failure.

Because current motors have various means of soft start and soft stop, usually with variable AC inverters, reverse plugging is no longer a choice with more advanced designs.

You can push the reverse button all you want, but it will only work once the crane comes to a complete stop.

To be safe and ensure that your crane stops when you want it to, you should use the brakes and not the reverse button.

Since the crane worked yesterday, it will work today

Some people treat a crane like a car. Since it worked perfectly yesterday, it will work today. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Anything can go wrong since cranes lift heavy loads and work long hours. To stay safe and have peace of mind that the crane is in good working condition, you should inspect it.

You should note that you shouldn’t only inspect it when getting it from the crane rental services VA but also rent it every day before you start the lifting.

During the inspection, take a brief look around the area. Is the crane in good working order? Is there anything dangling? Is there evidence of crashes or damage?

You also should listen to the crane. Start the hoist. Is there any strange noise made when it reaches the upper limit switch or is dropped to the ground? Is the trolley and bridge movement audible when in use? Are there any other sounds? If present, you should find their source and fix them.

Best Tips When Working with Boom Lifts

crane services

Boom lifts are essential for correctly deploying and completing many construction projects. However, this equipment’s size, scale, and structure can also represent a significant risk and potentially inflict serious injury if proper safety precautions are not implemented.

These safety precautions are critical to consider and execute when using boom lifts, as they can help prevent injuries, accidents, property damage, and liability concerns.

Hire trained operators

Hiring individuals who have been properly trained to operate boom lifts and who maintain essential safety certificates and knowledge will assist you and your other employees remain safe while the boom lift is in use.

In most cases, the operators will come with the boom lift when you hire it from the crane services, but if this isn’t the case, you have to hire one from your area.

Before hiring new operators, test them with hands-on activities demonstrating their operational knowledge of the lift. This way, you are sure that in the event of problems, they will easily address them before any accidents occur on the job.

When you receive applications, shortlist the applicants who suit your needs. You should scan the resumes for relevant experience, licenses, certificates, and other credentials you listed in the job advertisement.

When operating cranes, safety is a priority; therefore, ensure that the candidates you hire know what they are doing. Ensure the contractor you hire has ample knowledge of safety practices, laws, and industry standards.

Hire a qualified spotter.

Besides hiring a crane operator, you also should hire a spotter. This is because a crane might have blind spots, and the spotter serves as the operator’s eyes and ears while on the job.

Like the crane operator, ensure that every spotter you hire is qualified to handle the equipment for which they are spotting and have hands-on experience to assist them in identifying any blind spots or other concerns.

For example, the crane spotter should be able to set and enforce crane signals, recognize potential hazards, and maintain constant communication with the crane operator.

Have a clear base and circumference.

While the boom lift is in use, ensure the base and the entire circumference are clear of any workers. The radius of the lift is frequently large, and different items can easily fall from the platform and seriously injure anyone standing below.

Keeping the entire space free reduces the possibility of somebody getting hit below by falling debris.

Boom lifts can also tip over. However, this is extremely rare. Keeping the area beneath and surrounding the boom lift free will help ensure that no one is injured if the structure collapses.

Don’t go over the weight limit.

Each boom lift has a different weight limit. Knowing the limitations and ensuring you don’t go past them is critical. This is because going beyond this limit, even slightly, may cause the lift to become top-heavy and tip over.

Before operating the lift, one should always account for the weight of the operator on the lift as well as all tools and supplies on the platform to ensure that the total weight does not exceed the recommended capacity. It is also crucial to remember not to use the boom lift for heavy lifting.

Avoid climbing or sitting on the outer edges.

When standing on a boom lift platform, it’s easy to be tempted to climb on the platform’s edge to reach something rather than moving the entire boom lift.

You should avoid this as it’s more harmful than many people realize. Climbing or sitting on the platform’s edge considerably increases one’s risk of falling off and sustaining severe injury.

If something is inaccessible, communicate with the boom lift operator to assist in getting to a safe place in the platform where you can easily reach what you want.

Avoid working when it’s too windy.

Wind can be a significant safety problem when a boom lift is extended too high. The strong wind can topple a boom lift if it is strong enough. To prevent the possibility of a boom lift collapsing, users should avoid utilizing them in highly windy or other poor weather conditions.

Each lift has a wind limit that it can endure; reading the user guide will assist you in understanding the unique constraints of the lift they are operating and identifying tactics for using the lift in adverse weather.

Operate the crane properly.

Reading the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly will assist an operator in understanding how to manage the boom lift properly and when it is and isn’t safe to move the lift while it is extended.

It is advisable to avoid relocating the lift in this manner as a best practice. Moving a lift while extended increases the risk of injury and should be done only when absolutely required and only if specifically permitted by the manufacturer’s manual. Otherwise, the boom lift should be lowered, moved, and extended as needed.

Inspect the crane before use.

You should inspect the crane before each usage to ensure it is in excellent operating order. Inspect the tracks and tires for signs of wear and damage. Check the fluid levels, including those for the engine, hydraulic, and oil, before turning on the equipment.

For cracks and damage, examine hydraulic hoses, buckets, booms, and other pieces. Confirm that every attachment is securely put in place. Finally, before starting up the equipment, ensure all the lights, backup alarms, gauges, and horns are operational.

Beware of your surroundings.

You must be aware of your surroundings and any potential hazards. To avoid coming into touch with overhead electrical lines, for example, de-energize them or install barriers if that is not possible.

You also should check that all utilities, including sewer, water, gas, and electricity, have been located and accurately labeled to avoid harming subsurface facilities, causing delays, and adding to the burden when digging.

Workers should avoid areas where heavy machinery is utilized whenever possible. Furthermore, operators should be cautious of the swing radius, particularly when operating in tight quarters, to avoid colliding with other workers, onlookers, neighboring cars, or other machinery or equipment.

Parting shot

Operating boom lifts can be challenging and dangerous, but following the above tips will help prevent on-site accidents and injuries. For peace of mind that the crane will get the work done without many issues, rent the crane from reputable crane rental services VA.

Tips to Having a Smooth Crane Experience

crane hire

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.

What Is The Most Important Rigging Precaution?

As much as rigging has plenty of benefits, it’s hazardous. For example, the load can fall from the crane and injure or, even worse, kill the site workers.

If you are wondering which is the most important rigging precaution you should take to prevent accidents, ensure that the equipment and the environment you are working on is safe.

Before you start lifting tasks, ensure that the crane you hire from crane services is strong and sitting on a stable surface. You also should carefully inspect the work area and ensure there are no dangers. This calls for you to ensure no power lines in the crane line.

You also should ensure that the path the crane uses is well done and there is no risk of the crane tipping over due to unstable ground.

Besides observing this precaution, you should consider plenty of other precautions to ensure that your rigging is safe. These precautions include:

Thoroughly inspect the rigging hardware

Before you start rigging, carefully inspect your hardware and ensure that it’s in tip-top shape. Inspect all parts for cracks, deformation, excessive nicks, stretches, gouges, and other imperfections.

To avoid costly downtimes, inspect the slings and ensure they are in perfect condition.

It’s also wise to inspect the crane before you start any lifting work.

Lift the right weight

You must have come across a load falling from the crane or the crane tipping over, right? Well, this is usually attributed to trying to lift more weight than the crane can carry.

One of the reasons why some people will overload the crane is due to a lack of knowledge. For example, if they don’t know how much the crane can carry.

The other reason is if they are in a hurry to finish the work.

It’s common for people to miscalculate how long the project will take to complete. Due to this, they will rush to hire a crane, rush to complete the project, and as a result, end up overloading the machine.

People will also overload the machine when they are looking to cut costs. You see, cranes are charged by the hour. This means that the longer you stay with the crane, the more you pay.

To cut costs, some people overload the machine to finish the work quickly. This is wrong.

The right thing to do is to ensure that the machine only carries the recommended weight. If you aren’t sure about the right weight it should carry, get the input of a professional.

Remember that the risks of overloading the machine significantly outweigh the money you will save by overloading, so avoid doing it.

Use the right rigging materials.

Besides properly rigging your load, you must also ensure that you use the rigging materials. From the rings, swivels, and nuts to the slings you use, ensure that everything you get is quality from a reputable store.

Some people try to cut costs by buying lower quality or even second materials. Don’t do this, as you will be putting your life and that of others at the site at risk.

You also end up spending too much money than you should. Since the crane is charged by the hour, having an accident means that you will stay with the crane for much longer than you should, which sees your rental bill go high.

You should always use manufacturer-recommended materials. If you aren’t sure about the right ones to use, get the input of a professional.

Work with experienced professionals.

It goes without saying that you should always ensure that you hire professional riggers and crane operators to do the rigging work.

While these professionals will be a little expensive to hire, they will give you peace of mind as you know that the work is done correctly and save you money as there are few chances of accidents happening.

If you are wondering where to find reputable professionals, the best place is from the crane rental services VA where you rent the crane.

Tips When Renting Crane For The First Time

Are you looking to rent a crane? If this is your first time, you should know that there are plenty of tips you should put into place to have a great experience. To help you out, here are these tips:

Rent the right size crane

This is important as it determines the type of crane you should go for. As a rule of thumb, go for a big crane to lift the load you are interested in. Some people try to cut costs by renting a small crane. While this will save you some money, it often backfires on you, as you have to overload your machine.

At the same time, you should avoid renting a crane that is too powerful for your load as you will be spending money that you shouldn’t. If this is the first time you rent a crane, you should know that crane rental services charge for their machines based on their sizes. This means a smaller crane will be cheaper than a larger one.

To avoid mistakes, always consult an expert to guide you on the weight of your load so that you can rent a machine that will be the right size—it shouldn’t be too weak or too powerful for your load.

Make the most of the crane.

Besides the size and type, the other factor that crane companies use to determine how much you will pay for the machine is the time you spend with the machine. Of course, the longer you stay with the machine, the more you will pay for it.

To avoid paying an amount you shouldn’t, always aim to be as productive as possible.

One mistake many people who rent cranes for the first time make is to start planning the day they bring the crane to the site. This is when you will see them making the travel path, trimming the branches, and so on.

As you can tell, this will be wasting time, and since you will be paying for the time you won’t be using the machine, it would be synonymous with wasting money.

To avoid this, you should be ready before going to the rental stores. The roads should be clear, the load to lift in place, and power lines out of the way, among many other things.

When you do this, you ensure that there are no delays by the time you bring your crane, so when the crane is on the site, you go straight to work.

Always shop around

What do people looking for cranes for the first time do? They go online and key in terms such as “crane rental near me.” They then go to the company’s website on the first result then contact the company asking for the prices of the crane.

This is wrong—you need to do deeper research.

While searching for a crane online is good, you shouldn’t hire the first company you come across. Instead, you should do background checks of at least five companies near you then, if their reviews check out, get in touch with them and plan a one-on-one interview.

During the interview, ask to see the cranes and their maintenance records. Of course, you should only hire properly maintained cranes.

You should visit all five companies; from this, you will tell the best company to work with. As mentioned, you want to work with a company charging a fair price for high-quality machines in perfect shape.

Hire experienced technicians

Obviously, you can’t operate the crane by yourself, so that you will need a crane operator and even riggers. Some people will try to cut costs and hire their close family members and friends, but you shouldn’t do this as it often becomes problematic.

The right thing to do is to hire an experienced crane operator and riggers. Thankfully, it’s easy to find them from the crane hire DC companies. All you need to do is to tell the management that you will need a few experienced professionals, and you are good to go.

You should note that even if you hire experienced contractors, do a refresher course before you begin the lifting. This is to remind the technicians what they need to look out for, reducing the chances of accidents.

4 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your Crane

Did you know that you could be doing the wrong thing with your crane without knowing? Here are some of the ways you could be making crane mistakes:

Using the wrong crane for the job

If you have visited crane rental services, you must have realized that there are many types of cranes you can rent.

One of the major mistakes people make is choosing the wrong crane for the job. To help you out, here are some of the major cranes you will find in the rental companies and how you can properly use them:

Carry deck cranes are highly mobile ones that feature excellent rotation and easy setup. While they are great, their major flaw is they don’t handle rough terrain well.

Rough terrain cranes: Although rough terrain cranes can’t travel on public roads, they tend to handle difficult grades exceptionally well and will get the work done when working on tough terrain.

Crawler cranes: Since they use tracks instead of rubber wheels, crawler cranes are excellent for sites with soft terrain.

All-terrain cranes: They have the advantage of being able to travel on their own to the job site, and they handle the rough terrain extremely well when they arrive.

You have to rent the right one to get the most from your crane. If you aren’t sure about the right one to go for, get the input of a professional.

You ignore load limits.

Different cranes have different load limits, and you should be ultra cautious of the limitations of your unit to prevent an accident.

As you are loading your crane, remember these things:

A crane will hold more weight when it’s on an outrigger than when on tires alone.
The crane will hold more weight if the boom stays over the front of the crane throughout the lift, whereas the capacity will be lower if the boom needs to swing.
The higher the load radius, the less weight the crane can lift.
To ensure that you never overload your crane, work with load charts.

You don’t read the operator manuals.

Even with highly experienced professionals, you should note that cranes from different manufacturers have unique controls, failsafe devices, and features. This means that even the most experienced professionals might not know everything about a crane.

This means that before you start working with the crane, carefully read the operator manuals and ensure that you understand everything pertaining to the cranes when it comes to:

Load capacities
Safety mechanisms
Operator controls
Stabilizers and counterweights

If you are having a problem understanding certain things in the manual, don’t ignore it—ask the technicians working in the crane rental companies.

You don’t inspect the crane.

After you have confirmed that the crane is in proper working condition in the rental stores, your work is done, right? Well, no.

For peace of mind and to reduce the chances of accidents happening on your site, you should regularly inspect your crane and ensure it’s in perfect working form.

Some of the inspections you should undertake include the following:

Pre-start checks: From their name, these are checks that you do before you start the crane. Your crane operator should check the tire condition, seat belts, oil levels, air reservoir, battery, and other factors.

Engine start-up checks: Before you start the daily work, the crane operator should start the engine, check the fuel level, pressure gauge, horn, signals, brain system, suspension, and other units and ensure they are in perfect condition.

Safety system inspections: To prevent catastrophic accidents, you should do safety system checks. During the inspections, evaluate the anti-two block, outriggers, and rated capacity limiter and ensure they are in perfect shape.

If there is a problem with your unit, regardless of how minor it is, don’t ignore it—fix it before you do the day’s work.

You work with the wrong professionals.

You shouldn’t hire just any contractor you meet. For the best outcome, take your time and hire experienced professionals that know what they are doing. The best contractors to work with are those from your local crane hire companies VA.