Tonopah, AZ crane lifts for wells, HVAC and acreage

Tonopah is a rural, unincorporated community in western Maricopa County, about 50 miles west of downtown Phoenix off Interstate 10. It sits on the Tonopah Desert near the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, and many homes are spread out on desert acreage. Residents voted down incorporation in 2009, so this is county territory.

For us, Tonopah is one of the longer runs from Surprise, out Loop 303 and west on I-10. That makes planning important. We want to know as much as possible about the site before the truck heads out, so the trip ends with a finished lift. Call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 to schedule.

If you are flexible on the date, let us know. Lifts out here can sometimes be lined up with other jobs on the west side of the Valley, such as Buckeye, which makes the trip work better for everyone. And if several neighbors each need a lift, such as a shed, a tank and a pump pull, sending the details together lets Don plan them as one run.

Private wells are central to life in Tonopah, and pulling or setting a pump is heavy work. We provide crane lifts for well crews handling:

• Pumps, motors and column pipe coming out or going in
• Pressure tanks and storage tanks
• Heavy well equipment moved from a trailer to the wellhead

One local detail is worth knowing: the Tonopah area has natural hot springs, and many local wells produce warm water, with hot wells common. Equipment coming out of a well may be hot, so the well crew should plan for that before rigging. The well company runs the well work; we run the lift. See well equipment lifts for more.

HVAC lifts are still our main line of work, out here as everywhere. Summer heat on the open desert is hard on cooling equipment, and rural properties often have more than one building to keep cool. We help HVAC contractors with:

• Rooftop package units and evaporative coolers on homes and shops
• Condensers and heat pumps set on pads behind the house
• Old units removed on the same trip the new unit goes in

Rural homes vary: some have equipment on the roof, some on a ground pad, and some have both. Let us know which you are working with, and how far it sits from where the truck can park.

Because the drive is long, a one-trip job matters even more. Bring the curbs and adapters, confirm the weights, and send photos of each building and the route in. Details on our HVAC crane lifts page.

Tonopah property owners call us for jobs that are too heavy for a tractor or a trailer winch:

• Prebuilt sheds and small buildings set on a pad
• Water storage tanks, feeders and livestock equipment
• Solar panels and racking lifted for an installer
• Trusses for barns, shade structures and shops
• Machinery and building materials

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.

1. Address or map pin. Rural addresses can be hard to find, so a map pin helps.
2. Route in. Describe the dirt roads, wash crossings, gates and any soft sand. Recent rain can change conditions quickly.
3. Setup spot. The truck needs firm, level ground. Point out septic systems, buried lines and soft fill near where it would park.
4. Overhead power. Lines often run to wells, pumps and outbuildings. OSHA requires crane equipment and loads to stay at least 20 feet from lines up to 350 kV unless specific procedures are used (29 CFR 1926.1408).
5. Wind. Open desert gets gusty. If the wind picks up, the lift may need to wait.
6. Animals. Secure livestock and dogs away from the lift area.

Skyhook Crane is licensed and insured and run by Don and his son Bryce. Email skyhookcranedon@gmail.com or call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361.