Cranes are some of the most useful machines known to man, offering incredible strength, versatility, and a wide range of potential applications. Indeed, there are many situations in the world of an industry that can only be solved with the assistance of a crane, and your business might someday find itself in need of a crane to take care of certain heavy lifting projects, construction jobs, factory work, or other tasks.
However, choosing a crane isn’t as simple as contacting a retailer and ordering the first crane you can find. Cranes come in a huge range of different sizes and types. Some are mobile, others are fixed. Some are designed for use on uneven terrain, while others need flat and stable surfaces to operate. Some are capable of lifting the biggest and heaviest items high into the sky, while others offer much smaller-scale applications. This guide will help you find the right crane for your needs.
Do Your Research
A good way to start off your search for the perfect crane is to carry out some research online so that you at least understand the basics and know what it is you’re looking for. There are various online resources out there to help you, or you could contact a crane provider or manufacturer in your area to ask questions and learn more.
Knowing the differences between some of the most common types of cranes, like the overhead bridge crane and loader crane, is a good place to start off. This will help you narrow down your search quite quickly and identify the main type of crane you feel would be best suited for your job, and it’s worth learning a little more about capacities, load weights, reaches, and other metrics too.
Consider the Intended Environment for Your CraneÂ
As well as carrying out research on the many different varieties of cranes and learning more about how cranes work, it’s wise to actually think about the place you intend to use the crane to and visit the location to study the ground and surrounding environment. This can be very important, as certain cranes will work better on uneven surfaces than others.Â
So if you intend to use the crane on a patch of rough terrain or rocky ground, you’ll need to be more careful in terms of the crane you choose. Often, crane providers will want to know what sort of place you plan on using the crane before they offer one for hire or sale. There’s no need to worry though, as even if the conditions are quite rough and uneven, you can still find a crane to get the job done.
Calculate Heights and Distances
After inspecting the ground type and the specifics of the location where you plan on using the crane, it’s also recommended to consider and calculate some key heights and distances too. Firstly, you’ll want to know the target height of the lifting load. Tower cranes can lift loads many hundreds of feet into the air, but other types of cranes can’t offer such impressive heights, so this measurement can have a real bearing on the type of crane you need.
You’ll also need to think about the distance of the load from the crane itself. Again, there are certain types of cranes that are specifically designed to be able to lift and maneuver heavy loads at wide distances, but some cranes aren’t stable or counter-balanced enough to be able to haul loads far from their main body and base.
Consider the Cost
Last but certainly not least, you’ll also want to consider the cost of getting a crane too, as any business owner needs to manage their budget with care and try to save funds whenever and wherever possible. The prices of cranes can actually vary quite a lot, so it’s worth shopping around, comparing your options, and finding a provider that can give you the best value for money.
At the same time, you don’t want to underpay, as you could end up with a provider who isn’t as reliable or a crane that isn’t quite suited to the task at hand. Make sure to strike the right balance here: you want to get the best price, but it’s also vital to ensure that you’re working with an experienced and respected provider too.
Final Word
These are just some of the main factors to think about when looking for a crane. Be sure to carry out the necessary research and weigh up all of the above factors in order to get the best machine for your business needs.
