Crane lifts in Sun City, AZ

Sun City opened on January 1, 1960, as Del Webb's first big retirement community, and it has grown to more than 28,000 housing units (2020 census), many of them single-story homes. With that many homes, heating and cooling replacements are a steady part of the work for HVAC contractors in Sun City, and summer heat makes working AC a priority for residents.

That is where we come in. Skyhook Crane lifts rooftop air conditioning and heating equipment for lots and lots of HVAC companies, and Sun City is just down Grand Avenue from our home base in Surprise. Typical Sun City work includes:

• Bringing an old rooftop package unit or evaporative cooler down
• Setting the replacement package unit or heat pump on the same visit
• Lifting new curbs or adapters so the crew can fit the new unit to the old opening

A low single-story roof does not mean a ladder-and-dolly job is the safe choice. A crane gets heavy equipment up without your techs hauling it. More on how we work with crews on the HVAC crane lifts page.

Sun City's streets are laid out in large circles and curves, and golf carts are a normal way to get around. The Sun City Home Owners Association notes that carts follow the same road rules as cars and should stick to slower streets, not Bell Road, Grand Avenue or 99th Avenue.

For a crane lift, that means a little extra care:

• We pick a setup spot that leaves room for carts and cars to pass, or that keeps the lift area clear of them
• A ground person watches for carts and pedestrians while the load is in the air
• Curved frontages can change where the truck sits relative to the roof, so photos of the front of the house help us plan

Some cities and counties require a right-of-way or street-use permit to set up in the street. Sun City is unincorporated Maricopa County, so check with the county and your HOA if the truck will need to sit in the roadway.

Homeowners in Sun City call us for the same reason everyone else does: the item is too big or too heavy to carry through the house. Single-story homes are often easier to reach over than two-story homes, which can make a spa or heavy patio piece a straightforward crane job.

Common homeowner lifts here include:

• New spas and hot tubs going into a walled backyard, or old ones coming out (see spa and hot tub lifts)
• Large planters, stone features and outdoor furniture
• Other heavy items that won't fit through a gate

Before you buy a spa, it is worth calling first. Tell us the spa's weight, how far the pad is from the street and where the truck can park, and Don will confirm whether the lift will work.

1. HOA and CC&Rs. Sun City has deed restrictions and an HOA. Check whether work vehicles or equipment need any notice.
2. Overhead lines. Look for power or service lines near the house, alley or street. OSHA requires cranes to stay at least 20 feet from lines up to 350 kV unless specific procedures are used (29 CFR 1926.1408).
3. Neighbors. A friendly heads-up to the neighbors on either side is always appreciated, especially if the truck parks near their driveway.
4. Landing zone. Clear the backyard or roof area where the item will be set, and move any vehicles out of the way.

Every lift is different. 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 needs more crane than ours, we have trusted relationships with other crane companies.

Skyhook Crane is licensed and insured and run by Don and his son Bryce out of Surprise. Sun City is one of the closest communities to our base, along with Sun City West, Youngtown, El Mirage and Peoria. Call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 to schedule. HVAC contractors who run regular change-outs in Sun City can also read our notes for HVAC contractors.