Increasing Project Success by Choosing the Right Crane & Rigging
Having detailed information regarding your project is critical to getting the machine you need and an accurate price. Getting the right crane at the price you need will make your project go much smoother and eliminate delays from incorrect equipment.
Determining the Right Crane for the Job
The first step in understanding crane loads and determining what machine you need on site is to accurately determine exactly what you need to lift, how heavy it is, and where you need to lift it from and to.
Load calculation refers to the way in which you determine how much weight the crane will be lifting. While it can be relatively straightforward, at times, you will need to do some math and work with formulas in order to find the number your crane rental company will need. You will at least need to know the weight of construction materials; rigging weights can be provided by a rental company.
Load calculations should take into account the weight of everything being lifted, including:
- All lifting gear
- Hooks and rigging
- Ropes and harnesses
- Construction materials on the load
These weights need to be as accurate as possible. Once you have your measure of load weight, it is time to start looking at load charts and determining if your crane can operate safely under given parameters. Cranes have a maximum load, but that maximum weight can only be reached under optimal conditions, which rarely occur on site.
Make a lift plan for all the material you plan on moving with the crane. You should aim to select a crane that operates safely at or below 75% or the crane's max capacity for the majority of your planned lifts. You might need to make more lifts, but the work site will be safer (and you won’t risk delays from damaging structures), and you will be less likely to need onsite crane repair work.
Moving More Than Materials
If you are facing a project that requires the use of a crane to move materials, there’s a good chance you might need a way to move personnel around safely as well.
Personnel platforms go by a couple of different names, including man baskets or suspended platforms. Whatever you call them, these specialized lifts are often essential on more extensive construction or demolition job sites. They allow for the safe transport of personnel to high work locations when ladders and scaffolds aren’t up to the task.
If you plan on using a suspended personnel platform paired with the crane you selected to lift materials, you’ll need a different set of rigging equipment. Care needs to be taken to address safety concerns during any lift.
Following good procedure is essential whenever a crane is in use on a job site and even more critical when lifting personnel. So keep this in mind when determining the type of personnel lifting to go with.
Rigging to Your Standards
When it comes to cranes, it is just as essential to have the right people operating the machinery as it is to have the right crane for the job. Cranes remain the most costly and deadly hazards on any construction site. And if you are looking at renting a crane, you likely do not have qualified personnel on your crew to operate the machine.
Crane operation is an essential part of renting. You want to ensure your rental company can provide qualified personnel. When you rent a crane, the rental business should provide you with qualified personnel covering the following roles:
- Crane Operator
- Signaler
- Dogmen
- Riggers
When it comes to the safety and efficiency of lifts, riggers will be your go-to expert. They determine the best equipment for safely performing lifts based on mass, size, and center of gravity and ensure that materials are properly secured.
It may be tempting to avoid additional personnel costs, but on-site experts are worth the price. They will help you move your materials more efficiently, potentially reducing the time of the overall rental. In our previous article on the subject, you can learn more about each of these roles and their importance to a safe and efficient project.
Get Help From the Experts
If you have never rented a crane before or are looking for a new rental company to partner with, Parker's Crane provides quality crane rental, rigging, and heavy hauling services throughout the Carolinas and the East Coast. We pride ourselves on safety and our Zero Accident Philosophy and conduct many detailed safety measures when performing a job to ensure that no project carries unnecessary risk.
Even with a simple job, the right tool makes an enormous difference. Similarly, the right equipment, backed with experience and support, can make your job worlds easier (and safer).
With a fleet of well-maintained hydraulic truck cranes, we offer not only the best equipment but can also help with site installation, maintenance, and operation. Our crew is OSHA and MSHA-compliant to ensure your site and crew safety.
Contact us today if you would like to discuss your needs and whether or not our services and equipment will work for your construction project. We provide free on-site quotes and evaluations.