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Crane News

Factors that Affect Mobile Crane Performance

Crane Rentals, Crane Safety | Feb 10 / 22

Mobile cranes are a trusted solution for various industries and project sites around the world due to their versatility and reliability. From construction and HVAC installation to wind energy and agriculture, mobile crane rentals can optimize safety and efficiency for any project. While it is important to choose the right mobile crane for your project requirements, it is also crucial to understand the factors that affect mobile crane performance to ensure consistent safety and productivity. To help you understand these factors and identify potential site hazards, the experts at Stampede Crane & Rigging have compiled a list of elements that can impact crane performance.

How do mobile cranes work?

4 Elements that can Impact Crane Performance and Safety

The following 4 factors can significantly impact the performance and safety of a mobile crane:

1. Terrain and Changes in Elevation

Mud, loose soil, and uneven gravel can reduce stability, compromising lift capabilities. These surfaces can also reduce mobility for most mobile cranes, making it difficult to navigate the project site as needed to retrieve or place materials. In addition to the type of terrain, it is important to account for slopes as all load charts are based on the crane being completely level in all directions. Slopes can cause the crane to become unbalanced, reducing lift capacity and stability. To ensure that your mobile crane can be used to its fullest abilities, be sure to position it on a level surface whenever possible.

Related: Important elements to consider before operating a mobile crane

2. The Use of Outriggers

If your mobile crane requires the use of outriggers to perform a certain lift, it is crucial to ensure that they are sufficiently extended to keep the crane stable. Proper and skilled usage of outriggers can ensure optimal handling and safety on difficult surfaces while improper use of outriggers can drastically reduce the rated capacity, compromising stability and handling.

Learn about some of the most common uses from hydraulic all-terrain cranes.

3. Extreme Weather Conditions

Harsh weather conditions can severely reduce the capabilities of mobile cranes. Heavy rain and snow can affect terrain traction while winds can greatly reduce safety when handling loads at great heights. Thunderstorms are typically the worst possible hazard when operating a mobile crane as they can cause electrocution and severe equipment damage. To ensure optimal site safety, it is always best to wait for a clear day when performing a lift.

What safety steps should you take before operating a mobile crane?

4. Operator Tendencies and Skill

A high-performance mobile crane does not mean much if the operator using it is inexperienced or has poor operating tendencies such as frequent load shocks through sudden movements. To ensure that your materials get where they need to go without issue, it is crucial to have a skilled operator for your mobile crane.

To learn more about mobile crane performance, site hazards, and crane safety, get in touch with the team at Stampede Crane & Rigging. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our crane rentals.