What to Consider When Choosing a Crane

Cranes have a long history of being a staple of the construction industry, playing an essential role in the building of multi-story complexes,

bridges, roads, and other large infrastructure projects. However, their applicability is far-reaching, with steel, shipping, manufacturing, and civil construction examples of the many sectors that benefit from using cranes. Part of what makes this lifting equipment suitable for a diverse range of operations is that there are many different types available, each having been designed to perform specific tasks. However, the broad range available can make it challenging to ascertain which is the most suitable crane for your needs.  

To help you select the right machine, we’ve outlined 4 things to consider when choosing a crane.   

  1. Applications 

Knowing the types of tasks you are looking to achieve with your crane is vital to pinpointing the machine most suited to your needs. It’s important to consider the maximum height and load weight required, the kinds of materials you would be lifting, and the nature of the lifts themselves – for instance, are you looking for a machine to frequently carry small loads, or one to lift heavy loads less frequently?  

The simplest way to determine the lifting equipment best suited to your applications is to speak to an expert. The highly experienced, reputable team at YELLO Equipment™ can take the guess work out of choosing a crane to suit your requirements.   

  1. Working environment 

The working environment is another key consideration when it comes to choosing a crane. Will your crane be used indoors or outdoors? In wide open spaces or confined spaces? In hazardous or non-hazardous environments? Assessing your typical work environment can help determine more suitable types of cranes over others. For instance, if your lifting operations will predominantly take place indoors and in confined spaces a mini crane is more suitable than larger crane models due to their compact size and maneuverability.  

The terrain it will be lifting on is another important consideration – whether your machine will need to hoist loads on even or uneven terrain will necessitate different types of cranes. When working on dirt, grass, or otherwise uneven terrain, the tracked undercarriage of a crawler crane enables greater stability for heavy lifting in these environments.  

  1. Brand  

A crane is a significant financial investment, so you want to ensure you purchase from a brand known to offer top-notch quality technology and safety features as well as exemplary after sales support. At YELLO Equipment™, we’re your local Maeda dealer – a brand renowned as a worldwide leader in crane industry. When you invest in a Maeda crane, you’re choosing quality, efficiency, and flexibility.  

  1. Safety Features 

Safety is the foundation for all successful operations on a worksite. As technology continues to evolve, so do safety features on heavy machinery. It’s important to look for a crane that offers smart safety features to maximize the safety and productivity of your machine. Tipping prevention systems, interlock systems, and crane tilt alarms, are examples of safety features to look for in a crane. Maeda cranes, for instance, also offer programmable Moment Limiter safety systems which allow you to set the safe working radius and range, lifting height, and angle limits for your lifts. This safety feature is particularly useful for lifting operations in narrow areas, or environments with obstacles such as factories.  

 

Looking For a Crane? 

At YELLO Equipment™ we help take your projects to new heights with our impressive range of lifting equipment. Whether you’re in need of a crawler crane, mini crane, or battery-powered crane, YELLO™ has got you covered! To learn which of our Maeda cranes fleet is most suited to your needs, speak to one of our knowledgeable staff on (409) 770 3091 or visit our website: www.yelloequipment.com