The three things Don needs to know
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.
- Weight. What the item weighs, from a spec sheet, nameplate, shipping paperwork or the supplier. Include crates, pallets or anything attached.
- Distance. How far the item has to travel from where the truck parks to where it lands, including over the house or wall.
- Truck spot. Driveway, curb, alley or parking lot, and how much room is there.
These three are tied together. A crane's lifting ability goes down as the boom reaches farther out, so a load that is easy close to the truck may not work across a wide backyard. That is why we confirm each lift before it goes on the schedule, and why we never promise a lift before Don has looked at the details.
Photos help a lot: the item, the landing spot, the front of the property and the street. Text them to 602-615-0712.
Overhead power lines
Power lines are one of the biggest hazards on any crane job. Look up around the truck spot, the path of the load and the landing spot, and tell us about every line you see, including service drops running to the house.
Under OSHA's crane rules for construction, if any part of the crane, load line or load could get within 20 feet of a power line up to 350 kV during the work, specific precautions apply. The basic options are to have the utility de-energize and visibly ground the line, keep everything at least 20 feet away (50 feet for lines over 350 kV) with encroachment precautions such as a dedicated spotter, or use the minimum distances in OSHA's Table A once the utility confirms the voltage (29 CFR 1926.1408). Lines are treated as energized unless the utility confirms otherwise.
In practice, power lines can change where the truck sets up, how the load travels or whether the lift can be done that day.
Ground conditions under the truck
The truck sets down outriggers with pads to spread its weight. The ground under them has to hold.
OSHA requires that cranes are not used unless the ground is firm, drained and graded enough to support the equipment. The party in control of the site should also tell the operator about hazards under the setup area, such as voids, tanks and utilities (29 CFR 1926.1402).
Tell us about:
- Septic tanks, leach fields and cisterns
- Pool equipment, irrigation and buried lines
- Recent trenches, fill or soft landscaping
- Slopes, washes and areas that were recently wet
Street setup, permits and HOAs
Many lifts are done from the street in front of the property. A few things to sort out ahead of time:
- City rules. Some cities require a right-of-way or street-use permit to set up in the street. Check with your city.
- HOA rules. Many Valley communities have HOAs with rules about work trucks, street parking or work hours. Check before lift day.
- Neighbors. Let neighbors know, especially if cars need to be moved or a driveway will be blocked for a short time.
- Parked cars. Have the setup spot and the path under the load clear of vehicles.
We do not give legal or permit advice, but we will tell you how much room the truck needs so you can plan.
Wind and weather
Wind affects how a load swings and how the crane handles it. Big flat items like AC units, spas, sheds, trusses and solar panels catch a lot of air.
OSHA's crane rules require the crew to adjust the equipment or the work to account for wind, and to decide whether manufacturer recommendations need to be followed when a local storm warning is issued (29 CFR 1926.1417). The operator watches conditions throughout the job and will hold or reschedule a lift if wind makes it unsafe. During Arizona's summer monsoon, storms and gusty outflow winds often build in the afternoon and evening, so morning lifts are usually easier to plan.
What happens on lift day
- Arrival and walk-around. The operator looks over the truck spot, the path of the load, the landing spot and anything overhead.
- Setup. The truck is positioned, outriggers go down on pads and the crane is leveled.
- Signals agreed. The operator and the person directing the load agree on hand or radio signals and who gives them.
- Area cleared. Everyone not involved in the lift moves out of the swing area and away from the load path.
- Rigging. The load is rigged and tag lines attached as needed.
- The pick. The load comes up slowly, is checked, then travels to the landing spot and is lowered into place.
- Pack up. Rigging comes off, the boom is stowed and the outriggers come up.
The cab and the rigger: communication
Total trust between the cab and the rigger on the ground makes the impossible look easy. On many lifts, the operator cannot see where the load is landing, such as on the far side of a roof or in a backyard. That is when a signal person directs the lift. OSHA requires one when the point of operation is not in full view of the operator or the view in the direction of travel is blocked (29 CFR 1926.1419).
One person gives signals. Anyone can call a stop.
Clearing the area
Nobody stands under a load in the air. OSHA's crane rules keep workers out of the fall zone except those hooking, unhooking or guiding the load (29 CFR 1926.1425), and require barriers or warnings around the swing radius of the crane where workers could be struck or pinched (29 CFR 1926.1424).
For homeowners: keep kids and pets inside, move cars and patio furniture, and watch from a safe spot. See our service pages for lift-specific prep, like HVAC crane lifts and spa and hot tub lifts.
Frequently asked questions
What information do you need to confirm a crane lift?
We need the weight of the item, how far it has to go from where the truck parks and where the truck can set up. Also tell us about power lines, trees, ground conditions and anything in the way. Photos help. Call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 and Don will confirm the lift.
How close can a crane work to power lines?
Under OSHA's construction crane rules, the general minimum clearance is 20 feet for lines up to 350 kV and 50 feet for lines over 350 kV, unless the utility de-energizes and grounds the line or other specific procedures are followed. Tell us about every line near the job so we can plan the setup.
Do I need a permit for the crane to set up in the street?
It depends on your city. Some cities require a right-of-way or street-use permit for equipment set up in the street, so check with your city ahead of time. If you are in an HOA community, check their rules on work trucks and hours as well.
What happens if it is too windy on lift day?
The operator watches the wind throughout the job and will hold or reschedule the lift if it is not safe. Large flat loads like AC units, spas, sheds and trusses are the most affected. We would rather wait for calmer conditions than risk the load, the property or the people on site.
Where should people stand during the lift?
Out of the swing area of the crane and never under the load. Only the people hooking, unhooking or guiding the load should be near it. Homeowners should keep kids and pets inside, move vehicles and patio furniture out of the way and watch from a safe distance.