| There are many different types of crane on the | | | | and efficient or will a slow moving crane that has |
| market - from simple monorail cranes to | | | | a large s.w.l. be safer and more effective for your |
| underslung OHTCs. Each one of these will have | | | | needs? |
| different benefits and will be suitable for different | | | | Budgeting for Your Crane |
| types of work. If you want to know how to pick | | | | It's understandable that you would want to get |
| the best equipment for your job, follow this | | | | the cheapest gear for your money, but it makes |
| simple guide: | | | | more sense to view your crane as an investment. |
| Questions to Ask Yourself About the Job | | | | Choosing the right machinery can make your job |
| Before you start to specify a piece of lifting gear, | | | | safer and more efficient and it is likely to last |
| take the time to establish exact what you need | | | | longer. |
| from your crane. Some questions to ask yourself: | | | | If you find that the right lifting equipment for your |
| 1. What weight of goods do you need to lift? | | | | job really is out of the realms of your budget it |
| 2. What size are the goods you need to lift? | | | | may be worth considering purchasing second hand |
| 3. Where will you be using your crane? | | | | cranes. Make sure that you thoroughly inspect it |
| Answering these basic questions shouldn't take | | | | for signs of damage or simple wear and tear, but |
| you more than a few minutes. Once you know | | | | a well maintained used crane could last you for |
| what capacity of crane you need and what | | | | years. |
| environment it needs to work in, think about | | | | Balancing Out Your Needs |
| some of the more technical aspects of the job. | | | | There is usually more than one piece of gear that |
| Will the crane need to lift objects frequently and | | | | you could use for any given job, but it's a |
| or using repetitive movements? | | | | question of balancing your needs. |
| What axis of movement do you need - do you | | | | A lightweight crane may be cheaper, but if you |
| need something that can move in two directions | | | | need something for heavy duty lifting, it won't be |
| as well as up and down? Do you need a crane | | | | up to the job. If you choose something that's |
| that will rotate - and does it need to move a full | | | | way off the mark it's unlikely to be safe and you |
| 360 degrees or is 180 degrees enough? | | | | may be in violation of safety laws such as LOLER, |
| How precise does your lifting need to be? | | | | UK (98). |
| Are they any technical difficulties or restrictions | | | | Your list of questions should give you a clear idea |
| imposed by the type of environment your crane | | | | of the specifications that you need for your |
| is for? E.g. will you need hygienic lifting equipment | | | | crane. Simply work with these requirements to |
| for a chemical goods factory? | | | | choose the best value and most effective gear |
| How will your crane help to make work easier for | | | | for you. |
| you and your staff? Do you need something fast | | | | |