As a construction site manager, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the equipment necessary to move heavy loads at the site. The same is true for lifting heavy loads. If you need to move and/or lift heavy loads vertically or horizontally, the best piece of equipment for the job is often a crane. However, cranes are very expensive and most companies do not need constant access to this type of machinery. Therefore, it is often more beneficial to look into bare rental cranes when needed. When it comes time to rent a crane, it is important to make the following three assessments:

Assessments #1: Load Requirements

There is more than one type of crane available for you to rent, and each type of crane is designed to handle a different type of job. Therefore, before you actually rent the equipment, it is critical that you ensure you have the right piece of machinery as it pertains to your estimated load requirements.

With that being said, you need to assess the materials that you anticipate moving and lifting at your construction site. You need to try to estimate the weight of the materials (of each load) and locate a crane that will accommodate your needs based on its maximum load capacity. This is crucial for completing the job at a fast pace and keeping everyone safe.

Assessment #2: Ground Conditions

In order for a crane to be operated safely at your job site, you must first make sure that the ground at the site is capable of handling such a large amount of weight. After all, cranes are not lightweight pieces of machinery. Plus, when you add the heavy load that the machinery will be lifting, it puts a significant mount of pressure on the ground beneath the crane. It may be a good idea to have some rocks brought in to enhance the ground-bearing capacity of the soil or opt for a smaller crane.

Assessment #3: Qualifications

Last, but certainly not least, it is imperative that you ensure you have someone at your work site that is qualified to operate a crane. In many areas, it is actually a requirement that the crane operator be properly licensed rather than simply having experience and knowledge of crane operating procedures. Some rental companies may also have certain stipulations and require proof of license before a rental contract can be secured. In some instances, it may be a requirement that you secure a crane operator as well as the crane through the rental company.