The Pros And Cons Of Using Cranes For Roof Truss Installation
Roof trusses are often long and heavy with an awkward point of gravity. For this reason, lifting them into place by hand can be a fraught process, and many builders are looking to cranes or other lifting devices for help.
Very few maintenance and construction jobs lack the requirement for personnel and materials to access out-of-reach areas safely. 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 and are a popular option for renting as needed instead.
Here, we take a look at some of the pros and cons of crane rentals when it comes to roof truss installation.
Cons Of Using A Crane For Truss Installation
Let us go ahead and jump into some of the cons or barriers to builders or contractors opting for a crane when installing roof trusses. The big cons come down mainly to timing and perceived cost.
Most contractors don’t own or maintain a crane for their own company and, therefore, turn to rentals when needed for their jobs. This means that rentals will need to be researched and booked ahead of time, leading to deadlines and stress to be ready for installation day.
The second potential con of using a crane comes from the upfront cost of a rental. We mention it here as a con because it can initially cause some contractors to reconsider whether they might be able to manage without a crane, but we’ll circle back to this misconception below.
Pros Of Using A Crane For Truss Installation
While you might be able to attempt a roof truss installation for cheaper and on your own time schedule, what you lose in the long run is safety and efficiency.
By opting to use a crane to help you lift and set the truss, you can negate the following risks:
- Trusses being dropped during lifting due to weight or balance that can cause significant injury or damage to already-built portions of the structure.
- Reduce improperly aligned trusses, which are difficult to secure and may topple over when you begin work on neighboring trusses.
Each of the above is a huge mark in the pro column for cranes. A safe job site is paramount to any job and crew. But safety isn’t the only benefit of utilizing a crane rental for truss construction. It is also much quicker.
Attempting to lift and maneuver trusses, even with some basic lifting aids, is a tiring and challenging process that will take a substantial amount of time to complete properly. While the upfront cost of a crane rental may look negative, an experienced crane operator and crew can help you efficiently install your trusses in a fraction of the time it would take to attempt by hand.
And time is money in both labor and keeping clients happy by meeting expected deadlines.
Determining Your Best Course Of Action
For most builders, the safe, cost-effective option when installing roof trusses is to utilize a crane rental company for a day or two on-site.
The most significant factors that will affect the price of any crane rental are:
- Length of the rental period
- Type and size of crane needed for the job
- Crane personnel for operation
Every project has different lifting requirements, and there are just as many types of cranes to meet those demands. As obvious as it may seem, the heavier and larger the materials you need to move, the larger the crane you will need, and the higher the costs will be. Detailed information regarding your project is critical to getting the machine you need and an accurate price.
Cranes are complicated, highly technical pieces of construction machinery that require proper maintenance, site preparation, and training to operate safely. Renting from a professional service provides a host of benefits.
Rentals come with assistance throughout every step of the operation, from planning, transport, and installation, having a dedicated team performing lifts, all the way to the removal of any unneeded materials.
Crane Rental Experts You Can Trust
Parker's Crane provides quality crane rental, rigging, and heavy hauling services throughout the Carolinas and the East Coast. Contact us 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).