Why Hire a Self-Erecting Crane?

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If you need to hire a tower crane for a construction site or job, then you might not be sure which type of crane to use. These cranes can be large and complex to set up. In some cases, you'll find it easier to hire a self-erecting crane. How do these cranes work and what are their advantages?

How Do Self-Erecting Cranes Work?

Self-erecting cranes work like any other crane. However, you set these cranes up differently. To a certain extent, they build themselves with a little help from experienced operators. These cranes usually fold down into a compact space when they aren't in use. Some are even mounted on trucks. When you need to set up a crane, you simply set it off.

Depending on the type of crane you hire, the equipment might unfold to extend upwards. Or, parts of the crane might jack up or telescope out from the base unit. Some cranes can even lift and attach their own parts as they grow to size.

What Are the Benefits of Self-Erecting Cranes?

Self-erecting cranes give you a viable alternative to standard tower cranes. While they might not have the reach of very large cranes, they do have their own advantages. What are they?

1. A smaller footprint: You won't always find it easy to get a standard tower crane on your site. While you can build it in situ, the finished build might simply be too big for the available space. Self-erecting cranes typically have a smaller footprint. They work well on smaller sites and in areas where a regular crane wouldn't fit.

2. An easy build: Erecting large tower cranes takes time and expertise. You'll find it a lot easier to get a self-erecting unit up and running. The crane does a lot of the work itself. It is ready to use a lot more quickly. Plus, it's also much quicker to dismantle. Your downtime will decrease.

3. A mobile solution: If you set up a large tower crane on a site, then you probably won't want to move it even if this would be useful. Taking the crane down and rebuilding it takes too much time. You can hire movable self-erecting units that have crawler track bases. Even static cranes are easier to put down and put up again. Plus, if you use a truck-mounted model, then you can drive the crane around your site. You can also drive truck cranes on roads. This is useful when you need to get the crane to and from your site, or if you want to use the crane in multiple locations.

4. A choice of controls: Large tower cranes are typically controlled by an operator in a cab. If you opt for self-erecting cranes, then you can use models that come with a cab lift. However, you can also hire units that work on radio remote control. Here, your crew controls the crane from the ground. You don't need to have someone sit at the top of the crane to direct its operations. Your operators will find it easier to see exactly what they are doing when they use the crane. Your lifting jobs will go faster and more smoothly; you also reduce the risks of accidents that might happen if an operator works at height with a restricted view.

5. Multiple configurations: You won't always need a crane to do the same jobs at the same height. However, you might not be able to make a static high tower crane as flexible as you'd like it to be. Once the crane is set up, it's not easy to change its height or position. You might find it easier to hire a smaller crane to work on different jobs around your site. This increases your hire costs.

A self-erecting crane gives you more flexible options. You can change its height and configuration a lot more easily. So, you can often use this one crane on multiple tasks. For more information, contact crane hire services.

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26 April 2021