Crane operators make good money. Their job is challenging but doesn’t require years of advanced study. So how does a person become a crane operator? The Process of Becoming a Professional Crane Operator Typically, a young person graduates high school, takes some trade school courses and then completes general crane operator training followed by an… Read more »
The Process of Crane Rigging
When a load is live and under a hook, it has been lifted thanks to crane rigging, which requires a combination of math, geoengineering and mechanical information in order to get it right and prevent accidents. Shapes, weights and riggings may vary, but one thing’s for sure: riggers need to know about lifting requirements and… Read more »
Using Construction Cranes in Bad Weather
Have you heard of the term “weathervaning” as it relates to cranes? If you were in a major city where a tower crane was spinning around thanks to powerful winds, that’s weathervaning. Now most people would assume that a tall crane like that, spinning around in the wind, wouldn’t be safe or normal, but it… Read more »
Reasons to Use a Full Service Crane Company
If you were planning on selling your house, would you want to go with a realtor who is well-established and devotes all their time and energy to selling houses, or someone who just got their real estate license and is doing it “part time?” Ideally, you’d choose the full time, experienced person to work… Read more »
The Different Roles on a Crane Jobsite
When you rent a crane from Astro Crane, there are several crane operation jobs involved at most construction sites. What are some of those jobs and/or roles? Crane Operator A crane operator drives and operates the crane. Before (and after) work, they will also inspect the crane to make sure everything looks good, and they… Read more »
How to Maintain a Crane’s Chain Hoist
If and when you rent a crane from Astro Crane, you might be dealing with a chain hoist. What are some safety tips for a crane’s chain hoist? Routine Maintenance For starters, perform routine maintenance on the crane’s hardware to make sure it’s operating efficiently. Astro Crane does this, and if/when you are in possession… Read more »
Experience is Key When Selecting a Crane Operator
If you had a classic car that you’ve spent hours and hours working on, would you trust your 16-year-old nephew to drive it? Probably not. Why? Because a 16-year-old does not have much (if any) experience driving cars. The same idea applies to operating cranes. Would you trust an expensive piece of machinery in the… Read more »
How Construction Cranes Are Maintained
Construction cranes need maintenance. How are they maintained? Typically, construction cranes are inspected by experts who know what to look for– any signs of wear and tear, missing parts, etc. OSHA guidelines should be followed, and, of course, safety is paramount. Cranes can experience problems that need fixing… and this could be due to corrosion,… Read more »
How to Maintain Construction Cranes in the Summer Heat
It’s summertime and you know what that means: sunny days and hot temperatures, even in places like Boston, Providence and Hartford. Hot weather isn’t just for Florida! If you’re using or renting a crane in the summer, how can you best take care of it? Cranes Need Shade Too Ideally, when it’s sunny and hot… Read more »
The Types of Engines Used in Tower Cranes
If you see a construction site in a city, you’ll likely see a tower crane there, too. These giant, tall towers rise hundreds of feet in the air, dotting many city skylines. They can lift heavy loads to extreme heights. Since they’re pretty expensive to own, many construction companies look to rent them instead– using… Read more »