Is Buying A Used Crane Worth The Cost?
Very few maintenance and construction jobs lack the requirement for personnel and materials to access out-of-reach areas safely. From home construction and power poll repairs to cell phone tower maintenance, workers, tools, and other supplies need to be lifted safely for work to occur.
Cranes are a staple fixture across modern construction projects, and for many who find themselves utilizing them often on-site, this raises the question of rental or ownership.
What You Need To Consider About Buying A Used Crane
Cranes are complicated, highly technical pieces of construction machinery that require proper maintenance, site preparation, and training to operate safely. They are a significant investment for any business. One way to seemingly reduce some of that cost is to opt for purchasing a used crane instead of a new one.
When buying a used crane, there are several factors that you will need to take into careful consideration. From the types of jobs you need the crane for, frequency of expected use, the crane's history and current state of maintenance, and personnel support.
Unless your company meets most, if not all, of the following criteria, you will likely be better off looking to a crane rental company to fill your needs:
- You require the same type of crane on site multiple times a week
- You need a crane model that is not available for rental when needed
- You have the funds to maintain the crane properly for years
- You already have licensed and trained operators, riggers, and signalers
- You have space to store the crane when not in use and transportation capabilities
It is essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages based on your circumstances, ensuring that your decision is well-informed and aligns with your budget constraints and operational requirements.
Why Renting A Crane May Be Better Than Buying
For the most expensive and technical equipment that is only situationally useful, renting or subcontracting the work to a specialized professional is often better than buying your own and expecting a standard crew to know how it works.
Crane rental is no exception. Rentals come with assistance throughout every step of the operation, from planning, transport, and installation to having a dedicated team performing lifts, all the way to the removal of any unneeded materials.
Renting from a dedicated crane company ensures:
- Operators, signalers, and riggers have qualified experience
- Assistance with site analysis and lift plans
- Mechanics with the know-how to maintain crane equipment
- Focus on safety throughout the operation
And in the end, it will save your project time and money. With the extra help of experienced planners and operators, you reduce the risk of costly delays and are better protected from liability from injury or damage if accidents do occur.
Even for rentals over long periods of time, the overhead of not having to worry about the upfront purchase cost, personnel training, and maintenance puts renting better for your bottom line.
How To Select A Crane Rental Company
When selecting a crane company, you need to ensure that they operate to OSHA standards and provide the services you need. When looking for a crane rental company, consider the following items to ensure you partner with an experienced team that won’t endanger your workers or job site.
- When selecting a crane company, their licensing and certifications are the first items to look for. Not only does the company need certification, but also the maintenance crew, crane operators, and rigging specialists.
- Discuss the project's logistics, including site location and required load specifications, to make sure any company has a crane that will meet your needs.
- Look for a company that has an established high safety standard.
- Check that any crane rental company you contract with has a proper level of insurance.
Crane equipment is expensive to maintain and dangerous on-site, and any reputable company will take agreements to use it seriously.
Read through any documents thoroughly with a lawyer and address any questions you may have. The contract should clearly state fees and expenses for equipment rental and crew costs.
Your Crane Rental Experts In The Carolinas
Crane ownership is a big task. If you have gone through the considerations above and are unsure of your company's ability to manage a crane full-time but still need one on a project, crane rental may be the right step for you.
Parker's Crane provides quality crane rental, rigging, and heavy hauling services throughout the Carolinas and the East Coast. 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.
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. We perform the following for every single job we take:
- Pre-Lift Job Assessments
- Daily Risk Assessments
- On-Site Hazard Analysis
- Routine Management Audits
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).