At Crane Hire Australia we are dedicated to providing a first class service for business and personal clients. We have an approachable and friendly team to get the job done and to help both new and experienced users. We provide professional advice and lifting services to industries such as mining, government, building and construction, civil and the private sector. Crane hire agencies also offer a full list of additional services and equipment, such as forklift and truck hire, crane operators and assistants and accessories to make the lift safe and comfortable. All providers adhere to strict industry safety standards and take pride in their work. Cranes are regularly serviced and inspected and are maintained to provide a safe and reliable experience.
The Fleet
There is no job too big or small for a crane and there are many different types and sizes of crane available to suit just about any job. From complex tasks through to small jobs there is a crane for your job. The following are just some of the cranes that make up the Australian wide fleet.
Mini Cranes
A mini crane is the perfect lifting solution for areas with a tight working space or limited access. They are also capable of working on internal sites, which makes them extremely versatile. Projects that this type of crane is used for include: steel erection (tight areas or internal spaces), glass erection, landscaping projects, sculptures and art work. The main downside to a mini crane is that they are limited to smaller projects and they have tight weight restrictions. Most are rated to just 5 tonnes maximum lift and below.
City Cranes
City cranes are suitable for the smaller working space that a city requires, but they are capable of lifting much heavier weight and working on larger projects. They are designed to be compact, yet strong, and make working in smaller city spaces a breeze. Despite this fact, their smaller design does limit them somewhat and they are not suitable for the heaviest of lifting requirements. They are available in 10-20 tonnes lift.
Franna Crane (Pick and Carry Crane)
The Franna crane (pick n’ carry) is a mobile crane that is designed to lift a load and then carry it to where it is required. They are useful for carrying objects between sites and most are registered to travel on public roads. These are popular cranes and most rental agencies have at least one in their fleet. They are commonly available between 10 to 25 tonnes maximum lift.
Truck Cranes
A truck crane is simply a crane that is mounted onto a truck to make it mobile. These cranes are usually licensed to drive on public roads and can also be moved slowly while carrying a load. However, they should not be used in the same way that a Franna crane is typically used. Most models are capable of 180 degree rotation, but more expensive models can complete a full 360 degree turn. They take up more space than the smaller cranes, but can be used for many large projects. They usually have a maximum lift of between 30 and 100 tonnes.
Crawler Cranes
A crawler crane is similar in appearance to an excavator. It has a set of tracks that make the crane mobile and very stable. They are popular because they can begin lifting with only minor setup time and they are capable of travelling short distances with their load. The main drawback to using this type of crane is that they are not easily moved between sites and they usually require a flatbed truck to move long distances. They are not typically available for hire.
All Terrain Cranes
These are some of the toughest mobile cranes available. They are usually licensed for public road driving, but also have the added benefit of being capable of handling off road conditions. They provide more options for stabilisation and can handle the toughest of conditions. They are also capable of working on projects of extreme scales and have maximum lift capacities anywhere from 30 tonnes through to 200 tonnes!
Operating a crane
Operating a crane requires training and experience and your crane operator must be qualified. If you do not have a qualified operator you can choose to hire an operator with the crane for an additional fee. In addition to this, the operation of a crane also requires qualified riggers and dogmen (assistant operator). Hiring these workers is a prudent step and ensures that you have a fully qualified team, together with an experienced crane operator, for your project. It should also go without saying that you will need the appropriate approval and permits to operate the crane in many different locations. This can still apply on private property and you must ensure that you check with your local council before using a crane. In most cases a lift plan is required, and we always recommend diligent lift planning before undertaking any project.
Lift Planning
Lift planning sounds fairly basic, but we have found that we often spend more time planning a lift than actually making the lift itself. Complicated lift planning requires mapping, computer software and a team of experts. It also requires the specification of the crane and the load charts that are provided by the manufacturer or hire company. Without this step it is easy to make a miscalculation that could possibly end up in disaster. Most crane rental agencies will offer a lift planning service to their clients, and all agencies should provide a crane operating manual, and it is a good idea to ask the agency about this at the time of booking. This might seem unnecessary with small jobs, but we still recommend lift planning to everyone using a crane. For more information about working safely please see www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
What does it cost to hire a crane?
The cost of a crane depends on a number of factors such as: how long the crane is required, when it is required and what type of crane you require for the job. You also need to factor in additional costs for a qualified operator, riggers and dogmen. Discounts are often given for advance bookings and for long term use. For longer projects it is best to negotiate with a number of companies to get the very best deal.
It is important to remember that you should never try to use a smaller crane than required to save money. This is a false economy and can not only be dangerous, but it could end up costing you more money as well!