The Carolinas Crane Blog by Parker's Crane

The Basics of Crane Lifting and Rigging

The Basics of Crane Lifting and Rigging

When you are in charge of a construction project, you have to become an expert in everything. Ultimately, it is up to you to make sure the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other systems are installed correctly and working properly. If anything is out-of-place, you are held responsible. 

If moving or installing heavy equipment is part of your project, you will need to become well-versed in cranes and riggings. Parker’s Crane Service is here to help. In this article, we are helping you understand the basics of lifting heavy equipment with a crane. 

 

An Overview of Mobile Cranes 

Cranes are required for the construction of high-rise buildings and other construction projects. They can be used to transport heavy equipment and materials to some of the world's tallest structures. 

  • Crawler Cranes: These cranes, which are mounted on tracks like a tank and have lattice jibs similar to static cranes, can lift up to 2,500 tons.
  • Rough Terrain Cranes: These cranes have a telescopic boom mounted on four large tires and are used in areas with difficult terrain or frequent weather-related impacts. It has a lifting capacity of 165 tons.
  • Truck Mounted Cranes: These equipment are highly mobile, with booms affixed to a big truck bed and the ability to lift up to 45 tons.
  • All-Terrain Cranes: These cranes are comparable to truck cranes and rough terrain cranes, but they have more tires and can handle more difficult terrain. All-terrain cranes with load capacities of up to 1,200 tons are available.
  • Carry Deck Cranes: Carry deck cranes have a telescoping boom that attaches to a deck and can lift up to ten tons. Four huge tires support the deck.

You can find more about cranes in this previous article. 

An Overview of Rigging Terms

When it comes to cranes, the term rigging is both a verb and a noun:

  1. Rigging (Noun): The equipment used to lift and move heavy loads. 
  2. Rigging (Verb): Using special equipment to lift and move heavy loads.

Here are some of the most important rigging-related terms:

  • Rigging Hooks: These heavy-duty steel hooks are essential to the lifting process because they reduce the chance of slippage.
  • Rigging Shackles: These are used to link rigging components and can hold up to 6,000 pounds of weight.
  • Eyebolts: Eyebolts are anchors for rope and cable loops that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
  • Wire Rope Hoist: Lighter and smaller than chains, wire rope hoists are used to lift loads.
  • Monorail Beam: These beams are commonly utilized in smaller areas than bridge cranes since they are supported by a single monorail.
  • End Truck: Overhead bridge cranes can move on their tracks thanks to axles and wheels on these steel box girders.
  • Lifting Sling: A lifting sling is a sling made of cable, chain, rope, or webbing that is used in conjunction with a lift or crane to help lift and balance a load.
  • Sling Hitch: The sling will be attached to the load by either a vertical, a bucket, or a choker hitch. 
  • Load Capacity or Working Load Limit (WLL): This indicates how much weight the rigging equipment can handle.
  • Load Test: This is a test used to check that the rigging's rated load capacity is accurate.
  • Static Load: A static load is one that has been lifted but remains stationary.
  • Shock Load: When a force is delivered quickly to a static load, the resulting instantaneous movement or shifting adds to the static load's overall weight.

What You Need to Know Before You Rent a Crane

Now that you have a sense of the types of cranes from which you can choose, as well as a working knowledge of some of the important terms related to rigging, here are more things to know:

  1. Your Plan: You want to know exactly how and when you will use your crane before you rent. Since most rental plans are daily, you want to make sure your crane is not sitting idle, costing you money. 
  2. Your Load Calculation: The more you can know about your load calculation before you schedule your crane rental, the better a company will be able to advise the type of crane and rigging you will need. 
  3. Your Surroundings: Is your project taking place amidst many tall, tightly-packed buildings or among wide open spaces? Are you building on bedrock, clay, or sand? Being able to communicate your terrain and surroundings will be pivotal to getting the right crane and rigging. 
  4. Your Load’s Material and Size: It is not just the weight of your load that matters. Its size, shape, and material will factor significantly into the type of crane and rigging you need. 
  5. Your Personal Needs: Do you have an experienced, licensed crane operator on your team? If not, you will need to communicate that to your crane rental company. Ideally, your crane rental company will be able to supply crane operators, riggers, and signal personnel. 
  6. Your Crane Company’s Safety Record: You do not want to rent from a company that has any blemishes in its safety record. 

Parker's Crane is equipped with well-maintained, meticulously selected equipment that serves the job perfectly. We offer a fleet of equipment backed by a knowledgeable, helpful team. We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to safe operations. 

Our decades of experience prove that safety is our top priority. If you would like to know more about crane rentals in the Carolinas, contact Parker’s Crane Service today. 

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