Cranes are specialized equipment that require specific training to set up and operate—training that your workers might not have, even if they have years of experience in the construction industry. Rather than buying a crane and trying to train people quickly to use it, speak with a crane service that rents out cranes and crews. That service can solve a few common problems that you might encounter when looking at cranes.

The Crane's Got to Be the Correct Size

The crane's got to be the right size not only in terms of height but also in terms of lifting capacity. Lifting cargo that's too heavy for the crane in question can make either the rigging snap or the crane fall forward. This will be among the first batch of questions the crane service will ask about as you set up your crane rental contract.

Pay Attention to Wind Speeds and Ground Stability

Cranes face three big problems: Inexperienced crews, excessive wind speeds, and unstable ground. The crew issue can be taken care of easily by the crane service, but as your workers continue to labor onsite near the crane, you'll have to be very aware of wind speeds and how the crane is holding up. Excessive winds, especially toward the top of the crane, can force it to fall over if the crane arm isn't allowed to swing around with the wind. When it's on unstable ground, the crane will have outrigger pads to rest on, but those pads need solid, stable ground so they can support the weight of the crane. If the pads are on softer ground or over drains, for example, the pads can destabilize, and the crane can topple over.

Request a Rigging Crew

You can have the right crane, the right ground, and the right operator, but if you rig the crane incorrectly, you'll have a mess on your hands. Improper rigging can lead to broken cables, damaged cargo, and a crane that could potentially fall over. If your crew does not know how to complete rigging properly, ask the crane service if they have rigging crews they can send in. Don't guess, obviously, and don't hope that you got the job done right; have people who are trained specifically to work with rigging set everything up.

You can discuss all of this with the crane service from the start. That service wants your use of their crane to be safe and successful, and its representatives will help you set up a contract that covers everything you need.

For more information, contact a crane service in your area.  

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