Mobile Crane Stability and Ground Pressure

Whether you’re working on buildings or focused on transporting automotive equipment, keeping your crane stable is an essential part of your workflow. Stable cranes allow drivers to work at maximum capacity and give them the confidence to work with fewer potential accidents or risks caused by instability. They will also help you create an accident-free worksite for operators’ peace of mind in a safe workflow. Plus, ensuring your lifting operations are stable goes a long way to minimising wear and tear and extending your crane’s life span.

Dangerous Mobile Crane Setups to Look Out for

Tipping accidents are some of the most common incidents around jobsites, leading to expensive project delays and injuries. These accidents often happen due to incorrect crane use or failure to read load indicator warnings correctly. Unwanted events can also take place due to the configuration of the crane. Here’s a look at some of the mobile crane setups that could potentially lead to accidents:

Lifting on rubber: Conducting lifts on rubber lifts instead of traditional setups increases the likelihood of your machine tipping over. If you are using rubber lifts, you should evaluate the rubber rating chart to understand how to remain within safe operating limits.
Side lifting: Side lifting is one of the least stable mobile crane setups possible, increasing the threat of accidents. This crane configuration should not be used daily to protect your project schedule and operating team.
Front or rear lifting: Booms positioned directly in front of the crane move the tipping axis to the front set of the outriggers and vice versa when booms are in the rear. When you perform these types of lifts, your operators should review the necessary load-lifting charts to ensure they work safely.

Steps to Improve Your Crane’s Stability

The first step to maintaining a balanced worksite is selecting the right crane for the job. Each crane is constructed with unique weight ratings, denoting how much it can lift and what applications it can support. With the right tools for the job, you can begin devising a lift plan by understanding the terrain, weather and capacity.

Aside from these considerations, you should keep the following ideas in mind:

Follow manufacturer guidelines: Since every crane has unique controls and features, you should read the operator manual to understand how to safely get the most out of your mobile crane.
Train your operators: Putting your operators through the right educational experiences regarding proper crane operating standards and practices to build a safe working environment.
Understand load capacity charts: While many modern cranes are built with advanced load indicators, your operators should know how to read load charts to evaluate important factors like rotation and radius.
Avoid full extension: Your team should never extend the boom past the required length, which could lead to accidents when carrying materials.
Use outriggers: Outriggers are valuable crane additions that enable cranes to maintain a steady balance and avoid tipping during operation.
Maintain transparent communication: When working with cranes, your team should leverage standardised hand signals and communication protocols to keep everyone on the same page throughout the day.

Connect With Premier Cranes & Rigging to Learn More

If you regularly work with heavy loads at extreme heights, you can count on Premier Cranes & Rigging to help you keep your team safe and protected. We’re the industry-leading crane-for-hire team in Melbourne and Victoria, dedicated to providing our customers with high-quality, personalised experiences. Our drivers are trained and certified to strict standards, ensuring they follow strict operating guidelines and understand the intricacies of crane stability to deliver balanced and trustworthy solutions.

Contact our team online to learn more about how we can strengthen your operations.