It looks simple - just lift, drop, and leave - but there’s so much more that goes into a safe and successful crane lift. Since 1962 we’ve been perfecting the art of crane lifts and know all the intricate details that need to be factored in – from external factors such as weather and ground conditions to rigging and the crane itself. Here are four factors key to the perfect crane lift:
Height and Weight
Each job we take on is unique and requires a lot of intricate planning, we need to understand the weight and height of item and the reach required.. There are a lot of equations involved in planning a lift so we need to know as much as possible about the object we will be lifting.
Type of Crane
Many people think that one crane will do any job required but that’s not the case - we have to check the capacity of the crane, any limitations it may have, and if it has the ability to complete the lift required. Our most popular mobile crane, the Liebherr LTM 1060 has a maximum lifting capacity of 60 tonnes along with an extraordinary amount of mobility so it is often perfect for our most challenging lifts.
Access
Our mobile cranes are wide and heavy, we need to make sure that a site is accessible and there will be enough space for the lift to take place. This also includes taking into consideration powerlines in the area which may cause an issue, and whether or not the ground on the site can provide a sturdy base for the lift. The area then needs to be made level, cleared, and barricaded to protect any onsite workers and public from the crane’s rotation.
Communication
Constant communication is one of the key principles in a crane lift. This begins with a pre-lift site inspection where we check everything over, and extends to during the lift itself where we are all in communication with one another to ensure safety and accuracy.
A crane lift, no matter how big or small, is an event in itself and can be fascinating to watch! The main focus is to complete the job safely and efficiently.
