Had to pick between a bigger crane or a different spot for a tricky lift

We were setting a big air handler unit on a roof downtown, and the space was really tight. The boss gave me a choice: bring in a bigger 250-ton crawler that would need a huge setup area, or keep our 140-ton truck crane and pick from the alley behind the building. I went with the alley spot, figuring the setup time would be way less (about 2 hours saved). It was a tight swing over a power line, but we got it placed with maybe 6 inches to spare. Anyone else had a close call like that with a tight pick?

3 comments

3 Comments

lisa6711mo ago

Only six inches over a live wire? My heart would have been in my throat the whole time. Saving two hours of setup sounds great until you're sweating over a half-foot mistake. Bet you didn't breathe until that unit was on the roof. Sometimes the faster choice feels like the right one, but man, that's cutting it close. Glad it worked out for you.

sarahf781mo ago

Man, @lisa671 is right, that kind of clearance is a total nail-biter. Been there watching a load drift near glass on a high floor, just praying the wind doesn't gust. Saving that setup time is a huge win, but man, those last few feet feel like they take forever.

aaron_flores8413d ago

Totally agree, and @lisa671 nailed it, those last inches are pure agony when you're that close to disaster.