CRANES
Choosing the Proper Crane: 7 Essential Factors
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hanks to various technological advancements, cranes are now a lot more useful and efficient, and almost every demolition and construction project uses cranes of different sizes and capacities. They are also used for the shipping and transport of various materials, and if you are involved in a project with a crane requirement, your project's success will undoubtedly have a lot to do with the crane you select. Choosing the ideal one from a reliable company like PM Cranes will help you avoid any potential damage and accidents, and it can also help save you money and time as it enhances the efficiency of your site or project. But how can you then choose the right one? Here are the most essential factors you should consider when selecting the proper crane. Assess the load The very first thing you should do is assess the load. What is the load’s weight, and what is its size? It would follow that your crane should have an ideal lifting capacity to move or lift the load. If the crane you choose has too high a capacity, you are simply wasting money, labour, and time. But if you were to select a crane with a capacity that's too low, it could result in accidents and load damage.
If you can gain access to a load chart, much better. This will give you various crane features like boom length and the crane's rated capacity. The rated capacity is the actual gross weight a crane can lift at a specific distance or radius. Also, when you are choosing the proper crane, you have to deduct the ball or hook block and cable plus rigging from the crane's gross weight capacity. With this, you can be more confident in your choice of crane for your project – and you will also ensure its enhanced safety. If you consult with a manufacturer and supplier, they can provide you with a chart that will give you details 32
CR | Jan/Feb 2022
on their cranes' precise dimensions and specifications. It then allows you to compute the optimum lift at any radius. Additionally, assess the kind of load you would like to lift or move. For instance, carrying or lifting a tank filled with liquid requires unique conditions, especially when you compare it to simply moving heavy machinery or concrete blocks. In other words, the load is crucial as it defines the lifting you require, which will decide the kind of crane you need. Figure out the length of the job or project and its limits There are various specifications for cranes, as you will already know, and they all come with varying functionalities and capabilities. Therefore, you need to have a good and proper understanding of your project's requirements so you can choose the equipment that meets your needs, including the demands of your project and its limitations, such as schedules and time frames. Determine the transport of the equipment Another major point to consider is how the equipment will be brought to the site or transported. It is a consideration that is often neglected or overlooked, but we can't stress enough how crucial it is. For example, cranes are usually categorised as mobile, tower, rough terrain or crawler, and so on. But all of these will require different modes of transport. You may also need permission from the local councils when it comes to the transportation of heavy equipment and cranes. The transport routing may require that you take an indirect or meandering route. Still, sometimes this is necessary to avoid a bridge with low clearance or capacity, such as roadways that cannot handle larger trailers or loads. In addition, it ensures that you can prevent issues (like road construction projects) or even potential accidents.
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