At Wagstaff Crane Service, we offer the very best selection of crane rental products you’ll find in Utah, assisting clients with a huge range of projects – including landscape design, installation and maintenance for varying commercial facilities. We provide crawler cranes, boom trucks and several other crane rental options for all your needs, plus will help you identify the ideal crane format for a given project. Here are some of the major ways our crane products help save money and carry out landscaping jobs quickly and effectively.

Site Prep and Tree Removal

In many cases, initial landscape design for a given commercial facility will require site prep and tree removal, which may involve digging up roots, moving soil and rocks or removing overgrown trees. With crane rentals from Wagstaff Crane Service, you can get this done much faster than with traditional manual labor – leading to cost savings in labor costs, time spent on the job and more.

For instance, rather than paying for a team of workers to remove trees, you can rent a crawler crane or boom truck with the right lifting power to get the job done in less time. Plus, our expert technicians will ensure your crane is set up correctly and safely so that everything goes smoothly.

Heavy Materials Management

Another area where crane rentals save money is in the management of heavy materials, from dirt and mulch to large stones and boulders. Our crane products make it much easier to move these materials from one spot to another without the need for manual labor – reducing time spent on the job and ensuring that everything is done safely.

For landscape jobs that require moving large quantities of materials around, crane rentals from Wagstaff Crane Service are the perfect solution. Plus, our crane rental products can be used to lift materials up or down slopes and onto balconies or raised areas during landscape design and installation.

Hardscape Elements

One particular type of landscaping material that deserves its own section is the realm of hardscape elements, from large stones and pavers to fences and other structures. With crane rentals from Wagstaff Crane Service, these heavy materials can be safely and quickly lifted into place so that the job is done with minimal effort.

In many cases, clients are surprised by how heavy these kinds of materials are – and how quickly crane rentals can get them into the right position. Crane products from Wagstaff Crane Service make it easy to move hardscape elements around for landscape design, installation and maintenance, providing a cost-effective solution that will save time and money in the long run.

Tree Planting

While cranes are perhaps better-known for tree removal, which we already went over above, another key feature of crane rental is the ability to plant trees quickly and safely. Our boom truck rentals are ideal for this type of job, allowing clients to lift large trees from a nearby nursery and get them into place with minimal effort – saving time and money in the process. Plus, our technicians will ensure your machine is set up correctly so that everything goes smoothly.

Ensuring Safety

Finally, perhaps the single largest area where crane rentals help save money is in safety. Our expert technicians will ensure that your machine is correctly set up and operated, reducing the risk of damage or injury to workers on-site. This can be an area where commercial clients may not think about – but it’s essential for keeping workers safe and reducing liability issues down the line.

For instance, rather than having a team of workers manually lifting heavy materials into place, crane rentals create a much safer environment for everyone involved. With the right safety protocols in place and all other equipment in top condition, crane rentals from Wagstaff Crane Service can help reduce liability risks and save money in the long run.

Crane rentals are an invaluable resource for commercial landscaping needs, offering cost savings that are difficult to come by with traditional labor or other pieces of equipment. With everything from tree removal and heavy materials management to hardscape elements and tree planting, Wagstaff Crane Service has the crane rental products you need for a safe and efficient job. Contact us today to learn more about our crane services!

At Wagstaff Crane Service, we’re here to help with this and numerous other parts of the crane rental process. We offer several crane rental options, including crawler cranes, boom trucks, self-erecting tower cranes and more, and we’ll assist you with any advanced preparations that need to be made before our equipment is brought to your jobsite. Here are some of the key prep areas that should be covered in these situations.

Finalizing Paperwork and Contracts

Well before any delivery of a crane rental, it’s important to make sure all contracts and paperwork are in order. This includes the rental agreement between you and our company, as well as any other forms that may be necessary for the project you’re working on.

Both parties should have ample time to review these documents and ensure everything is ready to go. As you’re looking through your paperwork, make sure you understand all of the safety regulations related to crane rental and usage – our team will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Furthermore, both parties need to sign these documents before any work begins. We also recommend requesting a completed copy of the paperwork for your records, as well as those of any other involved parties.

Creating a Plan and Budget

The next step involves mapping out the plan and budget for the crane rental project. This includes details like the job timeline, site plans, equipment requirements and fees associated with the rental. It’s also important to consider any contingencies that may arise – for instance, if the job runs longer than anticipated or incurs unexpected costs.

Finally, once you have everything in place, it’s time to make sure all involved parties are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Review with everyone what is expected from them during the crane rental process, and ensure that safety protocols are adhered to at all times.

Apply for and Obtain Permits

In some cases, this part of the process will actually begin earlier, before you even sign your rental agreement. Depending on the situation, you may need to have certain permits in place before any crane rental line can be delivered to your construction site. This could include local government permits or licenses, as well as certificates that prove insurance and safety compliance.

No matter when in the process you’re looking at permits, though, this is a very important step. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork in order before any crane rental is delivered to your site.

Without proper permitting, your potential issues could range from fines to delays or even a dangerous working environment.

Ensuring Basic Site Access

Once you’ve dotted all the I’s and crossed all the T’s, it’s time to check that your construction site is ready for any crane rental. Make sure there are no obstacles in the way of our equipment, such as boulders or large trees, and confirm that access roads are wide enough for the delivery truck.

It’s also important to have an appropriate workspace for our crane rental operators. This should include a flat and level area for the equipment, as well as space for any necessary accessories like rigging or hoists.

Even Terrain

One specific part of site prep that deserves its own section is the need for an even terrain. All crane rentals come with a certain weight rating, and this could be affected if the ground isn’t level or is too soft. If your worksite isn’t fit for the equipment, then some additional prep work may need to be done before any delivery can take place.

For instance, it may be necessary to lay down a base layer of gravel or concrete to even out the surface. This would help ensure that our crane rental will be able to perform its job safely and efficiently.

Plan a Date

Once all of the above areas have been covered, or at least have been initiated, you can begin to coordinate a delivery date for your crane rental. When thinking about a specific date for delivery, consider the timeline of your overall construction project.

This could help you avoid any unnecessary rental costs or issues caused by the crane arriving too late to meet deadlines. We recommend discussing this date with all involved parties before signing a final agreement – that way, everyone can be certain they’re ready when the delivery day arrives.

For more here, or to learn about any of our crane rental products or services, speak to our experts at Wagstaff Crane Service today.

At Wagstaff Crane & Rigging, we provide comprehensive safety programs and expertise in addition to our extensive fleet of crane rentals for Utah clients – and hand signals will be one of several important concepts we discuss with any clients who will be present on job sites where our cranes are used. While there isn’t time here for a full rundown of every single hand signal that might be used around a crane, and you should be researching such comprehensive resources before you work on any such site, here’s a general rundown of some of the most common and important crane safety hand signals.

Loading or Boom Signals

When the crane is being loaded, there will be a few specific actions taken. Some of these involve load signals, which instruct the crane operator to either raise or lower the load using the crane’s hoist. The two most common hand signals here are hoist load (extending the arm vertically, pointing a finger upward, and making clockwise circles with the hand) and lower load (extending the arm vertically, pointing a finger down, and making clockwise circles with the hand).

In addition to load signals, boom signals are also used. This is when the crane operator needs to be told whether to extend or retract the boom. To do this, they’ll look for two hand signals: Boom up (arm extended, thumb pointed up with a closed fist) and boom down (arm extended, thumb pointed down with a closed fist). These may also sometimes be called raise or lower boom, respectively.

Stop Signals

When it comes to safety, some of the most important hand signals are those which tell the crane to stop what it’s doing. The most common of these is the “stop” signal, where an operator extends their arm out to the side of of them with their palm down, then swings their arm back and forth, touching the chest and moving the arm back out to the side.

There’s also the “emergency stop” signal, which involves extending both arms with palms down and swinging both arms back and forth to signal an immediate halt of all crane operations. Both of these are vital not just for general safety, but also to ensure that everyone on the jobsite is able to communicate effectively and efficiently.

Travel Signals

Cranes will often be moved as part of their project needs, and hand signals will be a part of this process as well. There are a few important travel signals to be aware of:

• General travel: For any mobile crane, the general travel signal involves pointing the fingers upward with the hand extended out in front of the body. The hand will be pushed in and out in the direction you want the crane to be moving. This is one of the single most common signals used around a crane.
• Trolley travel: For tower cranes being moved via trolley travel, the person directing this will point a thumb in the direction travel should go. Their palm will be facing up with their fingers closed in a fist, and they should move the thumb back and forth to signal that travel should begin.
• One-track travel: For crawler cranes that are being transported on a single track, operators should raise a fist to showcase which track is being locked. From here, the other fist should be rotated in front of the body to indicate travel direction.
• Both-track travel: In other crawler crane cases where both tracks are being used for transport, both hands will be rotated with closed fists in front of the signaler’s body. If they rotate toward the body, it means travel forward; if they rotate away from the body, it means travel in reverse.

Who Needs to Know These Signals?

Who needs to know these and other crane operation signals, and why? Here are some of the most notable parties:

• Any crane operator: Naturally, the most important person to know these signals is the crane operator, who will be responsible for following direction and responding with the appropriate action. This person needs to be trained and certified in the use of cranes, as well as their various signals.
• Supervisors: Any person overseeing crane operations should also be familiar with these hand signals so they can ensure that everything is running smoothly and safely. This may include project managers, construction site leads, or other supervisors on a jobsite.
• Workers: Any workers operating directly in the vicinity of a crane should also be aware of these signals, and respond accordingly. This helps to ensure that everyone is familiar with best practices for safety and communication when using cranes.

Overall, crane hand signals are an important element of any jobsite utilizing cranes. All personnel working at or around a crane should be familiar with these signals to ensure the safety of all parties involved.

Cranes may be complex pieces of machinery, but they don’t have to be a source of confusion or danger when everyone is on the same page. By understanding and utilizing crane hand signals correctly, you can ensure that your worksite operations run safely and there are no concerns here.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our crane rentals or the safety programs we maintain for all Utah clients, speak to our team at Wagstaff Crane & Rigging today.

At Wagstaff Crane and Rigging, we’re happy to not only provide the very best selection of crane rentals available, but also to offer safety programs and training for anyone who might be operating one of our cranes or any related accessories. Whether you’re operating a crane yourself or simply will be in the area where cranes are operational during a given project, here are some important safety themes to ensure you’re following at all times.

Selecting the Proper Crane

Firstly, safety on a crane job site goes all the way back to the initial crane selection process. For example, you’ll need to consider what specific project the crane is going to be working on, how long it will be in use (how many lifts there might be), and the general conditions that are expected for any given day or time of year.

In addition, you’ll want to consult a certified crane inspector to make sure that the crane you’re using is up-to-date and in proper working order. This includes all aspects of inspection, from the engine to any building structures or supporting features like rigging and hoisting equipment.

Working with Certified Operators

Next, safety when operating a crane comes down to ensuring every operator who will be using one is certified and experienced. In the event that your organization does not have any trained operators on staff, you’ll need to hire professionals for the job who can handle all aspects of crane operation with confidence and precision.

This includes not just lifting items or structures, but also moving and maneuvering a crane in various locations throughout a construction site. Every operator should have plenty of experience on the job, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base and awareness of relevant safety protocols.

Regular Crane Checks and Upkeep

Especially if you’re keeping a given crane on your job site for an extended period of time, it’s important to conduct regular checks and upkeep measures. These should be done by a certified crane inspector or service technician to ensure nothing is overlooked that could lead to an accident happening at some point during a project.

Some prime areas for attention include hydraulic hoses and seals, electrical connections, winch drums and wire rope, brakes and their related mechanisms, and lifting capacity ratings that may have changed due to wear over time.

Stabilization

Because cranes can be massive and can certainly pose a threat to both workers and nearby structures, it’s important to stabilize them at all times. This includes using proper mats or other equipment that can keep the crane from sinking into soft ground, as well as any means necessary (like guy wires) in order to ensure the crane remains stable even during windy conditions.

Down similar lines, ensuring you’ve rigged your crane’s load appropriately and safely is also a major factor when it comes to crane safety. This includes ensuring the load itself is properly secured with all necessary straps, hooks, chains, or other fastening equipment.

Don’t Exceed Load Limits

There’s an unfortunate tendency from some to assume that cranes can lift literally any item, regardless of its weight or size. However, even the most modern and well-maintained crane has limits on what it can safely lift.

These load limits are based on various factors, including the type of crane you’re utilizing (e.g., mobile vs. crawler), the length of any extension arms or boom sections, and a few other factors. These load limits are always clearly outlined in the crane’s manual, so ensure you’re referencing this information and taking it into account at all times when using any sort of crane for your project needs.

Communication and Signaling

During any crane usage, whether you’re actively operating it yourself or have workers on the ground using it to move heavy items, clear communication is essential. This includes making sure that everyone around knows what the crane’s current plans are at all times (e.g., impending lifts), and ensuring that any signals or other hand gestures given during operation are well understood by all parties involved.

For instance, hand signals like “hoist, stop,” “down, lower slowly,” and so on should be clear and easily understood by everyone in the vicinity. This can help prevent any accidents or mishaps from happening when a worker is trying to deploy the crane but doesn’t receive appropriate signals due to poor communication among all parties involved.

Read the Manual

Finally, anytime an issue has come up with your crane, or even if you’re just looking to brush up on your knowledge, it’s definitely a good idea to read the manual. This will help ensure you know what specific issues or problems could arise with the crane and how they should ideally be handled in the most efficient manner possible.

For instance, if you’re encountering some resistance when moving a load, reading your crane manual can give you valuable insights into the right steps to take in order to reduce this friction and move your item safely and as intended.

Overall, by following these tips and paying special attention to crane safety at all times, you can ensure that any cranes on your job site are operating efficiently, safely, and in a way that minimizes any risks to both workers and other nearby individuals.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our crane safety programs for all of our crane rentals, speak to our team at Wagstaff Crane and Rigging today.

At Wagstaff Crane Service, we’re proud to detail the specifications on any crane option within our extensive fleet of crane rental products, which includes all-terrain cranes, crawlers, boom trucks and more. In today’s blog, let’s go over some basics on crane booms and how they work, their various styles, and a few other elements to be aware of when discussing these important components.

How Crane Booms Work

As we noted above, the crane boom refers to the long arm of the crane, which is what allows it to reach such heights and extend over great distances. Generally speaking, they operate in one of two primary ways:

• Lattice boom: For large items and weight demands, the lattice boom is often the best crane boom option, as it can handle massive items with ease. The lattice boom consists of a series of metal tubes and trusses that are assembled in a lattice formation. These booms range anywhere from 50 to 300 feet long, and are generally fixed in nature — meaning they do not extend past their original length. They can swivel, tilt and move side to side, though it’s important to have an operator who knows how to do this without shifting the load too much.
• Hydraulic boom: For cranes that do have the ability to extend, or telescope, the hydraulic boom is the most popular option. These booms can be either fixed or variable in length, and they’re made up of a series of poles powered by pistons. These pistons draw their power from hydraulic fluid that’s pumped into the system, which allows for a much smoother and more precise extension or retraction of the boom as needed. It should be noted that hydraulic booms come in a few sub-varieties as well — there are some that telescope in the traditional way (retracting into itself when being pulled back), and others that fold up along the side of the crane when retracted.

Other Boom Styles and Considerations

In addition to the two primary types of crane booms, there are also a few other styles and variations worth mentioning. These include:

• Articulating boom: An articulating boom is different from a hydraulic or lattice boom in that it’s not one solid piece — instead, it’s made up of a series of connected segments that can move independently from one another. This gives the boom a lot more flexibility in movement, which is why it’s often used in tight spaces where other booms wouldn’t be able to reach.
• Telescoping jib boom: A telescoping jib boom is a variation on the hydraulic boom that’s specifically designed for use with a jib (more on that in a moment). These booms can extend outwards and also rotate, which allows them to place loads in a variety of different positions.
• Jib: A jib is a secondary beam that’s attached to the end of the crane boom, and is used to extend the reach of the boom even further. Jibs come in a few different varieties as well, including fixed and telescoping jibs.

Now that we’ve gone over some of the basics on crane booms, you should have a better understanding of how they work and what role they play in the operations of a crane.

Cranes With Booms Vs. Boom Trucks

In many cases, it can be easy to confuse or mix up crane booms with boom trucks — after all, they both feature a long extending arm, right? However, there are some key differences between the two that are important to understand.

• Boom trucks: Boom trucks are specialized vehicles that come equipped with a hydraulic or articulating crane boom on the back. These vehicles are often used in construction and other settings where heavy lifting is required, but a full-sized crane wouldn’t be practical. Boom trucks are smaller and more maneuverable than cranes, which is one of the main reasons they’re used in these situations.
• Cranes with booms: Cranes, on the other hand, are heavy duty machines that are designed specifically for lifting and moving large loads. Cranes come in a variety of sizes and styles, but they all feature a boom of some kind — be it a hydraulic boom, lattice boom or otherwise. These booms give cranes the extended reach they need to place or remove heavy loads from difficult positions.

Which of these options is right for your needs? Well, that depends on several different factors. For one, you need to consider the size and weight of the load you’ll be lifting — if it’s too large or heavy for a boom truck, then you’ll need to opt for a crane instead. You should also think about the specific needs of your project, as well as any space constraints that might be in place. In general, though, boom trucks are better suited for smaller projects while cranes are better for larger ones.

As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into the design and operation of a crane boom. Now that you know a bit more about them, you can better understand how they play a role in the overall performance of a crane.

For more here, or to learn about any of our quality crane rental products or services, speak to our team at Wagstaff Crane Service today.

At Wagstaff Crane Service, we’re happy to offer the best fleet of crane rental options you’ll find in Utah, featuring all-terrain cranes, crawlers, boom trucks, tower cranes and many other options to meet all your needs. Perhaps the single most common question area we get from our clients revolves around the cost of their crane rental needs — here are they key factors that tend to influence our answers most prominently.

Jobsite Location

First and foremost, the location of the worksite where the crane will be used is always going to play a role in rental costs. Not only do we need to factor in significant variables like travel time and distance, but also on-site conditions that may require additional safety or security measures — such as working near heavily trafficked areas with road closure permits, power lines, unlevel ground or other potential hazards.

Another key factor in terms of location is how close your jobsite is to our depot. Again, all other things being equal, a job that’s closer to our base of operations is going to be less expensive than one that’s further away. This is simply due to the fact that we can mobilize our equipment more quickly and efficiently when it’s closer by. Wagstaff Crane has several hubs throughout the intermountain states to help save mobilization costs for our customers.

Type of Equipment Needed

As you might expect, the type of crane or other heavy equipment you need for your job is going to play a role in rental costs as well. Some machines are simply more expensive to maintain, operate and insure than others, so it stands to reason that they will cost more to rent as well.

If you’re looking for the most affordable option, Boom trucks and truck mount cranes are typically your best bet. If you need something with a little more lifting power, however, you’ll likely be looking at an all terrain or crawler crane– though we do have some other options available as well.

In any case, our team will work with you to determine the best type of equipment for your needs and budget. We offer free on site consulting and estimates on any job, regardless of the size of the project.

Length of Rental Period

Obviously, the longer you need to rent a crane or other machine, the more it will cost you in total. That being said, we do offer some significant discounts for those who need to rent our equipment for extended periods of time.

Some companies provide their own operator for bare rented equipment which can save you money. However, you want to make sure that the operator is properly trained and certified to run the equipment. Wagstaff Crane offers bare rentals with Rough Terrain, Crawlers and Carry deck cranes. We also offer “operator only” options on customer owned equipment.

Size of Job and Equipment Needed

Size is another key factor that will impact your crane rental costs. As a general rule, the larger the lift, the bigger equipment you’ll need — and the more it will cost to rent said equipment.

There are a few different ways to think about job size in this context. For example, you may simply need a large crane to lift and move heavy objects around your worksite. Alternatively, you may be working on a tall building or other such structure, in which case you’ll need a crane that can reach those heights.

Of course, there are many other factors that can impact job size (radius and job site requirements), but these are some of the most common. Regardless, our team will work with you to determine the best equipment for your needs and budget.

As you can see, there are a number of different variables that can impact the cost of crane rental in Utah. To get the most accurate estimate for your project, it’s important to consult with a professional team that has experience with such rentals. Our team at Wagstaff Crane Service has the experience and expertise you need to get the job done right, so contact us today to get started.