Whether you’re a large commercial plant that needs to reposition heavy equipment, an HVAC company moving an air conditioner or a movie producer who needs to hold up a light on a set, it’s critical to ensure you rent the proper industrial crane for the project.
All too often when project managers request crane rental services, incorrect information is provided to the estimator and the wrong crane is sent to the job site, wasting time and money and risking safety and OSHA compliance.
To prevent sending a hydraulic crane or boom truck that is too big or too small to the job, the industrial contractor you are considering should ask the following questions about your rental crane:
1. What is the heaviest weight that we’re lifting?
For instance, if you're changing out an air conditioner, the new unit could potentially be a little bit lighter than the old air conditioner. You’ll want to know the weights of all items that are to be moved.
2. How far is the piece of equipment from the location of the rental crane? Is it on top of a building?
You may need to swing something on the ground, and the estimator will not only need to know how far away it is, but also the height of the obstacle.
3. Are there any overhead obstructions, such as power lines?
This question is essential and it isn’t a simple yes or no. The rental crane estimator should not only ask you the height, but also the distance, as they could potentially impede where we want to set the rental crane or where the crane needs to go.
4. Are there any underground utilities we need to know about?
This includes culverts, wells, septic tanks, underground pipes and sprinkler systems. Rental cranes weigh multiples tons of pounds and can easily crush underground materials.
5. Is there access to where you want to put the rental crane?
You’ll not only need to discuss if there is access to get the crane to where you want to put it, but also the radius for movement and setup.
BONUS! Is someone on your team a qualified hand signaler?
Governed by OSHA, every crane operator is required to work with a qualified signals person who tells him which direction the crane needs to go, especially if he cannot see the load he’s handling. You’ll need to provide your own qualified signaler or hire one for the day.
The Value of Onsite Surveys
If an estimator doesn’t feel as if they have a clear view of what the customer needs, the best option is for them to go to the job site to double check the measurements. For example, AME goes to about 75% of job sites for complimentary, official surveys.
Whether you’ve prepared this information before your call or through an onsite survey, your crane experts can make proper calculations that often lead to creative solutions for ensuring the job is safely completed within budget and, more importantly, on time.
