Renting a crane is a cost-effective solution for many companies when they’re trying to get some commercial construction work done, but they don’t want to buy a new crane for the job(s). What are some things to know when renting a crane?

Crane Lifting Requirements

For starters, what is it that you want to lift with a crane? That’s a key question. You should have in mind what it is you want to lift and how much it weighs. Furthermore, know the weight of your heaviest load, since that’s a factor in choosing which crane you’ll use. Both the weight and size of your load(s) help determine the size, strength and type of crane you’ll utilize on the job. While you could guess the weight, it’s much smarter to have a professional determine the exact weight(s) of various loads so you’ll avoid errors or problems down the line. You should also determine the specific dimensions for various loads– keep in mind that large items could present transportation problems. Also, calculate the center of gravity location for your loads. If you don’t have someone to do this sort of work, ask a crane rental company for assistance.

Crane Lifting Strategy

Next, consider how the crane you rent will make the lift(s). Will it be pick-and-place? Does someone need to design the rigging? Perhaps consult fabricator’s drawings. In some cases, you might need to use two cranes to lift heavy loads or when you want to perform a “lift-and-tail,” where you rotate a load from the horizontal to the vertical position. There are different types of cranes for different purposes, including tower cranes, rough terrain cranes and boom truck cranes, among others. One more thing: consider the height of your lift(s). Determine the available headroom for the rigging and the crane’s load block. It’s important to know the height required to lift a load since this measurement influences the length of the boom and the need for jibs.

Project Duration

Thirdly, there are some more questions to ask yourself, such as how long do you think you’ll need the crane you plan to rent? And where will you place the crane on site? Ideally, you want to place a crane to minimize the pick radius. Meanwhile, how will you get the crane to your site? Is there easy access at the site? Is the ground level? What obstructions could be in the way?

A Smooth Operator

When renting a crane from a crane rental company like Astro Crane of New England, there’s always the task of figuring out who will operate the crane. Will it be someone from your company or someone from the crane rental company? You want to make sure the crane operator is licensed and insured, as well as trained and experienced to operate the exact crane you plan to use.

Stable Situation

Before a crane gets to a site, you need to make sure the spot where it will go is firm, drained and graded to provide an adequate support and degree of level of the equipment. You don’t want to set up a crane on disturbed or recently backfilled soil. Engineers should also consider utilities, pipes, vaults or vessels underground at the site, since those could have an effect on the crane’s ability to be stable and support itself.

Crane Rental Company

If you’re thinking about renting a crane, call Astro Crane of New England at 978-429-8666 to discuss your needs. If possible, be prepared or familiar with information pertaining to lift capacity, maximum vertical reach and/or vehicle weight as it pertains to your job. It’s a good idea to book your crane rental well in advance if possible. Keep in mind that some companies book cranes months in advance. This gives them time to get the appropriate permits for the work to be done.