Heavy Construction Equipment: Repair, Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Heavy Construction Equipment: Repair, Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Tips for Choosing the Best Crane for Your Construction Project

by Clifton Barnes

Heavy lifting is an inherent part of your construction business. The good news is you don't have to do it manually — there are many different types of heavy construction equipment you can use to make light work of the task. Cranes are one such type of equipment.

Before renting crane equipment for your construction operations, you should understand that not all cranes are created equal. Cranes come in all shapes and sizes and each is designed for specific jobs.

Consider the following factors to choose the best one for each job.

Your lifting capacity requirements

Cranes are rated according to their lifting capacity, which indicates the dimension and weight of the load that a crane can lift and the maximum lift height and distance.

When selecting a crane for your job, you should choose one that can handle your loads without exceeding its structural limitations. To determine the maximum lifting capacity you need, calculate the size and weight of the materials and objects you intend to lift. You will also need to determine the maximum lift height and distance. 

Matching a crane to your lifting capacity requirements ensures a safe work environment and allows the project to run smoothly.

The size of your construction site

The amount of space available for performing work on your construction site can also influence your choice of a crane. The most powerful cranes are big, tall machines that can lift loads of virtually any size and weight. However, they may not be suitable for performing work in tight spaces.

If you need to use a crane on a construction site where space is limited, a mini or compact crane might be the perfect all-rounder for your lifting needs.

The terrain of your construction site

Another factor that will influence your decision is the slope of the land and the soil conditions. Generally, you will have to choose between two main crane types — wheeled and tracked.

Wheeled (with tires) cranes are ideal for jobs that involve working on flat, hard surfaces that pose little danger of accidents, bodily injuries and equipment damage. On the other hand, tracked versions are ideal for sloppy or wet terrains because they provide better traction than tires. On the downside, they require more horsepower to operate, resulting in increased fuel consumption.

There is no single-best crane for all jobs. Each job has specific lifting requirements that should be considered when matching it to a crane. Contact a crane professional for assistance with choosing a lifting rig for your project. 


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About Me

Heavy Construction Equipment: Repair, Troubleshooting and Maintenance

If you want to save money and have your business run efficiently, you need to take care of your heavy construction equipment. You need to know how to service it, how to spot issues, when to hire versus buy equipment and many other issues. Hi, my name is Russel, and welcome to my blog. I have loved heavy equipment since I was a child pushing a toy dump truck up and down my carpet, and although I do not work in that industry, I remain extremely interested in it. This blog is my chance to "play" with heavy equipment. I thank you for reading, and I hope that you learn and enjoy!