Planning a Lift – What Happens Before the Crane Arrives
Planning a Lift – What Happens Before the Crane Arrives
When you see a Thackray crane on site, ready to hoist tons of steel, HVAC units, or construction materials high into the air, it might look like everything came together overnight. But behind every successful lift is extensive planning, coordination, and expertise that begins long before the crane ever arrives.
At Thackray Crane, we handle every detail of your project from start to finish—ensuring each lift is completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
Site Visits & Project Assessment
Every project can begin with a site visit upon request. Our experienced professionals visit the job site to assess site conditions such as access points, overhead obstructions, and load radius requirements. These details help determine the right crane for the job—whether that’s a 35-ton boom truck or a 500-ton all-terrain crane.
During this phase, our team can help evaluate rigging requirements and identify potential challenges early, allowing for a lift plan that’s both safe and cost-effective.
Pre Lift Planning
Once the scope is defined, our team develops a detailed lift plan using CAD drawings and 3D lift simulations. This plan outlines crane placement, lift radius, boom configurations, counterweights, and load paths to ensure every move is precise.
With safety at the forefront, our team engineers each lift plan to suit your site’s layout and environmental factors—ensuring full OSHA and municipal compliance before work begins.
Permitting & Coordination
If requested, the logistics team at Thackray Crane manages crane, road, and street closure permits, working directly with local municipalities to help keep your project compliant and on schedule.
We also coordinate with site supervisors, trades, and utilities to minimize disruptions and maintain your timeline.
Material Handling & Rigging Equipment
Thackray’s in-house inventory of rigging equipment and specialized lifting gear means we can handle even the most complex picks with precision and confidence.
Warehousing & Logistics Support
Sometimes, equipment or materials arrive before the site is ready. Thackray offers secure warehousing and storage solutions, allowing you to stage, fabricate, and inspect equipment until the lift date. Our fleet of trucks and lowboys can then transport materials directly to the job site, helping streamline the entire logistics process.
By managing warehousing, transport, and scheduling under one roof, Thackray simplifies coordination and reduces downtime for our clients.
Thackray Safety
Safety is never an afterthought at Thackray—it’s built into everything we do. Our team includes NCCO-certified operators and professionals trained in OSHA standards, and we maintain active membership in the Mid-Atlantic Safety Council, SCRA, and other industry safety organizations.
In addition, our Safety Committee is fully certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, ensuring that every lift is planned and executed with the highest standards of safety in mind.
Your Turnkey Partner in Heavy Lifting
From engineering support and permitting to logistics, warehousing, and final lift execution, Thackray Crane is your turnkey partner for safe, successful projects of any scale.
When you choose Thackray, you’re not just renting a crane—you’re getting a full-service team with decades of experience, unmatched resources, and a commitment to doing the job right the first time.
Ready to plan your next lift?
Contact Thackray Crane today to get started with a trusted partner who handles every detail—before, during, after, and for future lifts.
