The size of crane you need depends on three things: how heavy the load is, how far it is from where the crane sets up, and how high it has to go. The reach often matters more than the weight. A light load set far back behind a two-flat may need a bigger crane than a heavy one next to the curb.
You need a crane whose load chart allows your load's weight, plus the rigging, at the distance and height of the lift. To work out the size, the crane company needs the weight of the load, the distance from the set-up spot to where the load is picked up and where it lands, and the height. We work that out on the site look, then quote the right size of crane for the lift.
What does a 30, 50 or 100 ton crane mean?
The ton figure is the crane's maximum rated capacity, which it can lift only very close to its center with the boom short and steep. A 50 ton crane cannot lift 50 tons at 60 feet. As the boom reaches out, the capacity drops, often to a small part of the headline number. That is why the ton rating alone does not tell you whether a crane can do your lift.
What is a load chart?
A load chart is the table from the crane's maker that shows how much the crane can lift at each boom length and radius. It also covers the outrigger set-up and other conditions. The operator and the lift planner use it to check that the load, with its rigging, stays within the chart at every point of the lift. Wind, ice and the ground can lower what is safe.
Why does reach matter more than tons?
Reach matters more because capacity drops quickly as the radius grows. The radius is the level distance from the crane's center of rotation to the load. A rooftop unit 25 feet from the curb is an easy lift for a mid-size crane. The same unit 70 feet back, over a three-flat to a rear roof, may need a much larger one. Moving the set-up spot closer is often the best way to use a smaller crane.
How do I find the weight of my load?
The weight is usually on the nameplate, the spec sheet, the shipping papers or the maker's website. HVAC units list the operating and shipping weight. Hot tubs list the dry weight. For steel, the builder or engineer has the weights on the drawings. For a tree, the tree service estimates each section. If you are not sure, tell us what it is and we will help find it. Guessing low is dangerous.
Does the rigging weight count?
Yes. Slings, shackles, spreader bars and the hook block all count against what the crane can lift. On a light load at a long reach, the rigging can be a real part of the total. The lift plan adds the rigging weight to the load weight before checking the load chart.
How much room does a crane need to set up?
A crane needs room for the carrier, its outriggers fully spread on firm ground, and a clear path for the boom and the load. Outriggers stick out past the sides of the truck, and pads go under each one. On a Chicago street, that usually means a stretch of the parking lane or the full width of an alley, with cars cleared ahead. We measure the footprint on the site look.
Can a crane lift over my house?
Yes, a crane can often lift over the house to the back yard or a rear roof, if it can set up close enough and the reach and weight are within its chart. This is common in Chicago, where gangways are too narrow to carry a hot tub or a beam through. OSHA rules keep people out of the area under the load, so the house may need to be clear while the load passes over it.
What if the crane cannot get close enough?
If the crane cannot get close enough, there are a few options. A bigger crane with more reach can lift from farther away. The set-up spot can move, for example from the street to the alley, or onto a neighbor's driveway with their written okay. A spider crane can work inside a tight yard. Sometimes the load can be split into lighter pieces. We look at each before choosing.
Want a price for your own lift? Tell us what needs to move, roughly how heavy it is and where the crane could set up, and we will send a written quote with the crane size, the hours and the price. Call or text (312) 964-8313.