Central Plains Cranes
Welcome to Central Plains Cranes
FAQ - Crane Operations
Click on a question below to see its answer:
- How are these cranes transported?
- How far can these cranes rotate (slew)?
- How long does it take to get used to operating these cranes?
- How long does it take to set up one of these cranes?
- How noisy are these cranes when they operate?
- How well do these cranes perform in the wind?
- What are operator requirements to operate these cranes?
- What are the lifting capacities of these cranes?
- What are the power requirements for these cranes?
- What are the various rigging options and how many workers does it typically take to rig a load?
- What happens if I lift more than the capacity of one of these cranes?
- What is involved in setting up one of these cranes?
- What safety considerations exist for operating these cranes?
- What type of ground conditions need to exist to support these cranes?
- Where does the crane operator operate from?
- Where is the best location on a jobsite to position these cranes?
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Q: How are these cranes transported?
A: Our cranes have their own high-speed highway axles and hitches. In their un-erected state, these cranes are ready for transport -- either pulled behind a suitable truck/tractor or placed on a lowboy and hauled.
A: Our cranes have their own high-speed highway axles and hitches. In their un-erected state, these cranes are ready for transport -- either pulled behind a suitable truck/tractor or placed on a lowboy and hauled.
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Q: How far can these cranes rotate (slew)?
A: Our cranes can rotate or slew a full 360 degrees in either direction and have a practical rotation limit (3 - 4 complete turns) before they need to rotate in the opposite direction.
A: Our cranes can rotate or slew a full 360 degrees in either direction and have a practical rotation limit (3 - 4 complete turns) before they need to rotate in the opposite direction.
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Q: How much do these cranes cost to rent?
A: Our cranes rent on a 4-week month and typically rent for $3,600 and up.
A: Our cranes rent on a 4-week month and typically rent for $3,600 and up.
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Q: How long does it take to get used to operating these cranes?
A: Our customers are able to operate these cranes immediately after a short initial orientation. It takes a couple of days of use to begin feeling comfortable with the crane and the remote control, and about one month to be using the crane and handling the remote like a true pro. Unlike similar cranes (like tower cranes, etc.), there is currently no formal operator certification available, although this certification is currently under development by the industry.
A: Our customers are able to operate these cranes immediately after a short initial orientation. It takes a couple of days of use to begin feeling comfortable with the crane and the remote control, and about one month to be using the crane and handling the remote like a true pro. Unlike similar cranes (like tower cranes, etc.), there is currently no formal operator certification available, although this certification is currently under development by the industry.
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Q: How long does it take to set up one of these cranes?
A: From the time we pull a crane into your jobsite until it is erected and ready for use is typically about three (3) or four (4) hours.
A: From the time we pull a crane into your jobsite until it is erected and ready for use is typically about three (3) or four (4) hours.
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Q: How noisy are these cranes when they operate?
A: Since they operate on electricity, they are very quiet. Their quietness is always something that surprises our customers.
A: Since they operate on electricity, they are very quiet. Their quietness is always something that surprises our customers.
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Q: How well do these cranes perform in the wind?
A: When erected but not in opertation/use, you will set the crane in what is known as "weathervane" mode so it can freely rotate with the prevailing winds. In weathervane mode, our cranes have had no problem withstanding the severe winds of the stormy season in the Midwest. Our cranes are rated for actual in-operation use in winds up to thirty (30) miles-per-hour.
A: When erected but not in opertation/use, you will set the crane in what is known as "weathervane" mode so it can freely rotate with the prevailing winds. In weathervane mode, our cranes have had no problem withstanding the severe winds of the stormy season in the Midwest. Our cranes are rated for actual in-operation use in winds up to thirty (30) miles-per-hour.
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Q: What are operator requirements to operate these cranes?
A: As part of our crane set-up, we provide instruction to your designated operator(s). While the cranes are relatively simple to operate, safety and safe crane use are the biggest points of emphasis. Unlike similar cranes (like tower cranes, etc.), there is currently no formal operator certification available, although this certification is currently under development by the industry.
A: As part of our crane set-up, we provide instruction to your designated operator(s). While the cranes are relatively simple to operate, safety and safe crane use are the biggest points of emphasis. Unlike similar cranes (like tower cranes, etc.), there is currently no formal operator certification available, although this certification is currently under development by the industry.
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Q: What are the lifting capacities of these cranes?
A: Lifting capacities range on a given crane and across models of cranes. Click here to see a chart that summarizes our cranes' capacities.
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A: Lifting capacities range on a given crane and across models of cranes. Click here to see a chart that summarizes our cranes' capacities.
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Q: What are the power requirements for these cranes?
A: Our cranes operate on electricity and can operate on either 240 V or 480 V, single- or three-phase power. This electrical can be provided on the jobsite or can be provided via an appropriately sized generator. Depending on the electrical capacity available, we provide power transformers to either boost or reduce the site power to that required by each crane.
A: Our cranes operate on electricity and can operate on either 240 V or 480 V, single- or three-phase power. This electrical can be provided on the jobsite or can be provided via an appropriately sized generator. Depending on the electrical capacity available, we provide power transformers to either boost or reduce the site power to that required by each crane.
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Q: What are the various rigging options and how many workers does it typically take to rig a load?
A: Rigging is accomplished in many ways -- straps (single or multiple), forks, steel I-beam clamps/scissors, etc. And one of the benefits of our cranes and their remote control operation is that in most instances, the operator can rig a load without additional assistance.
A: Rigging is accomplished in many ways -- straps (single or multiple), forks, steel I-beam clamps/scissors, etc. And one of the benefits of our cranes and their remote control operation is that in most instances, the operator can rig a load without additional assistance.
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Q: What happens if I lift more than the capacity of one of these cranes?
A: All of our cranes have pre-set load limits. One of the steps in erecting a crane at your jobsite is to set those load limits. If your operator exceeds those limits, a warning horn sounds and the particular operation the operator is attempting to perform is suspended until the over-weight condition is rectified.
For instance, if a load is successfully lifted but then triggers an over-weight limit as the operator moves the trolley and load out toward the tip of the crane jib, the warning horn will sound and the out-trolley function will be disabled. The in-trolley function, however, remains available allowing the operator to trolley the load back in and then lower it to adjust the load.
A: All of our cranes have pre-set load limits. One of the steps in erecting a crane at your jobsite is to set those load limits. If your operator exceeds those limits, a warning horn sounds and the particular operation the operator is attempting to perform is suspended until the over-weight condition is rectified.
For instance, if a load is successfully lifted but then triggers an over-weight limit as the operator moves the trolley and load out toward the tip of the crane jib, the warning horn will sound and the out-trolley function will be disabled. The in-trolley function, however, remains available allowing the operator to trolley the load back in and then lower it to adjust the load.
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Q: What is involved in setting up one of these cranes?
A: The following are the primary tasks involved in setting up our cranes:
A: The following are the primary tasks involved in setting up our cranes:
- Locating crane properly on jobsite
- Leveling crane via outriggers
- Setting up safety fence around swing radius of crane ballast
- Setting finish ballast
- Connecting crane to power source (power supply must be in place and have proper plug configuration prior to crane delivery)
- Erecting crane
- Setting crane limits
- Testing and confirming crane operations
- Review of crane operations with designated crane operator(s)
- Review of crane maintenance with designated crane operator(s)
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Q: What safety considerations exist for operating these cranes?
A: First and foremost is the recognition that these cranes are very powerful and, as a result, must be operated with respect for the capabilities. They lift heavy loads that are moved, many times overhead, to various locations on the jobsite. As such all precaution should be taken to securely rig loads, keep loads from swinging, and direct loads such that workers on the jobsite are not in danger. Additionally, a construction fence restricting access to the swing arc of the base of the crane is required. And, of course, all workers on the jobsite must be wearing hard hats when the crane is in operation.
Unlike similar cranes (like tower cranes, etc.), there is currently no formal operator certification available, although this certification is currently under development by the industry.
A: First and foremost is the recognition that these cranes are very powerful and, as a result, must be operated with respect for the capabilities. They lift heavy loads that are moved, many times overhead, to various locations on the jobsite. As such all precaution should be taken to securely rig loads, keep loads from swinging, and direct loads such that workers on the jobsite are not in danger. Additionally, a construction fence restricting access to the swing arc of the base of the crane is required. And, of course, all workers on the jobsite must be wearing hard hats when the crane is in operation.
Unlike similar cranes (like tower cranes, etc.), there is currently no formal operator certification available, although this certification is currently under development by the industry.
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Q: What type of ground conditions need to exist to support these cranes?
A: Cranes must sit on medium-bearing-capacity soil. Cranes cannot be set on backfill or where there has been recent overdig.
A: Cranes must sit on medium-bearing-capacity soil. Cranes cannot be set on backfill or where there has been recent overdig.
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Q: Where does the crane operator operate from?
A: Since the cranes operate with a wireless remote control, the operator is free to move around the jobsite to be properly positioned with the operation on which the crane is working.
A: Since the cranes operate with a wireless remote control, the operator is free to move around the jobsite to be properly positioned with the operation on which the crane is working.
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Q: Where is the best location on a jobsite to position these cranes?
A: One service we perform for you prior to quoting you a crane is to review your site plan, determine a proper location for setting a crane, and then, based on required "reach" so as to be able to reach all corners and boundaries of your building envelope, suggest the properly sized crane.
A: One service we perform for you prior to quoting you a crane is to review your site plan, determine a proper location for setting a crane, and then, based on required "reach" so as to be able to reach all corners and boundaries of your building envelope, suggest the properly sized crane.
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