Crane lifts in Litchfield Park, AZ

Litchfield Park is a compact city of about 3.3 square miles, bordered by Goodyear, Avondale and Glendale. Its story starts in 1916, when Goodyear Tire & Rubber executive Paul Weeks Litchfield came to the Valley looking for land to grow long-staple cotton for tires. Goodyear's Southwest Cotton Company bought thousands of acres, including the land around what was then Litchfield Ranch. The name Litchfield Park was approved in 1926, and The Wigwam opened to the public as a resort in 1929.

Today the city has an established, settled feel that sets it apart from the newer master-planned areas around it. Homes range from older houses near the historic core to golf-course properties and newer neighborhoods toward the city's edges, so no two jobs look quite the same. For crane work, that mostly shows up in the trees, the landscaping and the variety of homes.

Many Litchfield Park lots have mature trees, covered patios, pools and finished landscaping. A crane can lift over all of that, but the lift path needs to be planned so the load clears branches, roof lines and patio covers on its way to the landing spot.

Here is what helps:

• Photos from the street and the backyard, so Don can see the path the load will take
• The location of trees and patio covers between the truck and the landing spot
• Overhead lines, which matter on any lift. OSHA requires crane equipment and loads to stay at least 20 feet from power lines up to 350 kV unless specific procedures are used (29 CFR 1926.1408).
• Roof type, especially tile, so nothing gets set down where it shouldn't

If trimming a branch would open up a cleaner path, it is usually best to have that done before lift day.

Our main job is lifting AC and heating equipment for HVAC contractors, and Litchfield Park's mix of homes keeps that work varied:

• Rooftop package units and evaporative coolers on homes that have them
• Condensers and heat pumps lifted over the house or a wall to a pad in back
• Equipment for small commercial buildings and offices in and around the city
• Old units removed on the same trip the new ones go in

On a well-landscaped property, a crane is often the cleanest option. It keeps your crew from carrying heavy equipment through finished yards, across pavers or around pools. Your crew rigs and guides, and we set the unit in one shot. See our HVAC crane lifts page and the notes for HVAC contractors.

Litchfield Park homeowners call us for lifts like these:

• Spas and hot tubs set in backyards with no clear path through the gate
• Solar panels staged on the roof for an installer
• Heavy stone features, planters, outdoor kitchen pieces and safes
• Prebuilt sheds and small structures

If it can't go through the door, over the roof it goes. Every lift is different, though. Call with the weight of the item, how far it needs to go and where the truck can park, and Don will confirm the lift. If a job is bigger than our truck should handle, we have trusted relationships with other crane companies.

A tip for spa buyers: talk to us before the spa is delivered. If we know the model and weight ahead of time, Don can confirm the lift, and you can schedule the delivery so the spa is waiting where the truck can reach it.

Some cities require a right-of-way or street-use permit to set up in the street, so check with the City of Litchfield Park if the truck will need to sit in the roadway. If your neighborhood has an HOA, check its rules too. On quieter residential streets, a friendly heads-up to the neighbors goes a long way, especially if the truck will be near their driveway.

Skyhook Crane is licensed and insured and run by Don and his son Bryce out of Surprise, about 17 miles north. We also work in nearby Goodyear, Avondale and Glendale. Call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 to schedule, or email skyhookcranedon@gmail.com.