How to Avoid Mini Crane Migraines in NYC

The saying “time is money” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to big budget projects. Keeping your construction costs on track is a top consideration, and having a mini crane on site sounds like a great cost-cutting move. Current regulations in New York City make mini cranes more accessible; operators don’t need to be licensed if you’re working under 3 tons of lifting. While some savings can be acquired by going this route, your team will need to remember NYC DOB requirements like stamped engineered drawings. Where mini cranes will help you save in some ways, you’ll need to make up for it in others.

Staying Safe On-Site

Meeting budgeting goals are important, but perhaps the key to any successful job is making safety a priority. Your team should work to ensure the workplace is safe for all employees while also considering the health of the general public who may be on or near the job site. Though several skills needed in order to operate heaving machinery are interchangeable, a mini crane is its own animal. The process isn’t extremely intuitive and a novice operator runs the risk of making dangerous mistakes. If your driver accidentally causes injury to themselves, others, or property, you may be liable in covering related expenses. It is vital to have your team members trained in safely operating a mini crane if you want to ensure you won’t end up paying more where you intended to save.

They’re More “Mighty” Than “Mini”

The name “mini crane” can be a bit deceiving as the machinery is most definitely not lightweight. Mini cranes average around two tons, making them capable of lifting materials between different levels of a structure. It’s important to keep the true weight of mini cranes in mind to ensure that the machine is positioned on a floor that support its weight and in addition to the weight of the items being lifted.

Limitations on Mini Cranes’ Lifting Capacities

A large variety of sizes available, mini cranes come with lifting capacities between 2 to 10 tons. It isn’t uncommon for operators to attempt lifting loads outside of a mini crane’s weight limits, ignoring the clearly marked capacities on the machines. Misusing a mini crane can result in crane failure and dropped picks, injuries to the operator or other nearby personnel, and property damage. Additional expenses will roll in in the form of DOB and OSHA fines for workplace safety violations, boosting your project budget in a big way.

A Little Knowledge = A Lot of Peace of Mind

Mini cranes bring indispensable value to a construction site. The machinery is easy to maneuver, cost-efficient, a time-saver. Mini cranes make frequently elevating small loads much simpler and any risks involved are easily avoidable. If you’re thinking about bringing a mini crane onto your next job site, make sure your operators are properly trained, you have stamped engineered drawings, and are aware of potential safety hazards. If you have questions about making the move to a mini crane, contact L&M Crane and Rigging Services to find out how we can help you. Our team will be able to determine the best solutions for your work site and project load.