Crane help for well crews
Well work involves heavy, awkward pieces: pumps and motors, lengths of pipe, tanks and equipment that has to be set in place on a pad or moved across a property. Skyhook Crane brings a truck-mounted crane to help with the lifting so the well crew can focus on the well.
We help with:
- Lifting and setting pumps and related equipment
- Handling pipe on and off trucks and trailers
- Setting pressure tanks and storage tanks on pads
- Moving equipment and materials around the well site
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.
Who does what on a well job
We are the crane, not the well contractor. The well crew decides what needs to be lifted, when and how it connects to the well. We handle the crane, the setup and the lift itself.
In Arizona, drilling a new well, deepening a well or modifying an existing one must be done by a licensed well-drilling contractor, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. If you are a homeowner, line up your well contractor first and let them tell you when the crane is needed.
That split keeps everyone in their lane: the well crew owns the well, and we own the lift.
Rural sites and ground conditions
Many private wells are on rural and semi-rural properties around the West Valley, Wittmann, Wickenburg and beyond, where the truck may be setting up on dirt, gravel or a ranch road instead of pavement.
Ground conditions matter. OSHA requires crane setups to be on ground that is firm, drained and graded enough to support the equipment, and the party in control of the site should tell the operator about hazards under the setup area like voids, tanks and utilities (29 CFR 1926.1402).
When you call, let us know about:
- Recent trenching, buried lines or septic systems near the well
- Soft ground, washes or areas that hold water after rain
- Slopes where the truck would set up
- The access road and any gates or tight turns
Overhead lines at the well
Well pumps need power, and power often reaches the well site through overhead lines. Look up before you pick a spot for the truck.
OSHA's crane rules require a minimum 20-foot clearance from power lines up to 350 kV unless specific procedures are used (29 CFR 1926.1408). Tell us about every line near the well and the truck spot so Don can plan the setup and the swing path.
Safe lifting on the well site
- Agree on signals. One person from the well crew directs the lift, and everyone knows the signals before the first pick.
- Stay clear of the load. Only the people hooking, unhooking or guiding the load should be near it while it is in the air (29 CFR 1926.1425).
- Long pieces swing. Pipe and long equipment need tag lines and a clear path.
- Wind. Open rural sites can get gusty. The operator will hold a lift when wind makes it unsafe.
For more on what happens on lift day, see how a crane lift works.
Where we go
We are based in Surprise and work all over the Phoenix metro, out to Wittmann and Wickenburg, and into northern Arizona when needed. For jobs farther out, call to confirm. See our service areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do you drill or repair wells?
No. Skyhook Crane provides the crane and the lift. The well work itself belongs to your well contractor. In Arizona, drilling, deepening or modifying a well must be done by a licensed well-drilling contractor. We work alongside the well crew to lift pumps, pipe, tanks and equipment when they need it.
What can you lift on a well job?
We help well crews lift and set pumps, handle pipe, set pressure and storage tanks on pads and move heavy equipment around the site. Every lift is different, so call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 with the weight, how far it needs to go and where the truck can park, and Don will confirm the lift.
Can the crane set up on a dirt or gravel property?
Often, yes, as long as the ground is firm, drained and level enough to support the truck and outriggers. Tell us about soft spots, washes, trenches, septic systems or buried lines near the setup area. Don will look at the site details and confirm whether the setup works before lift day.
Do you travel to rural well sites outside the Valley?
Yes. Our service area runs out to Wittmann and Wickenburg, and can travel to northern Arizona when needed. Let us know the property location, the access road and any gates when you call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 so we can plan the trip and confirm the job.