blog Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Sheedy Crane

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March 21, 2022by Sheedy Blogger0

Sheedy Crane’s heavy haul trucking services services offers phenomenal work, but hauling as a whole goes further back than that! As Americans, we’ve been hauling things across the country since our earliest days of colonization. Once upon a time, this was only possible with trains and horse-drawn carriages, but thankfully we’ve advanced well beyond then. Nowadays, hauling is easier than ever, so it’s time to look at how hauling can impact your business.

When you work with heavy machinery, you’ll often be limited by the different forms of transport you have available for moving said machinery. This can make it difficult to compete, especially against larger companies that have fleets of trucks at their disposal. As a provider of Bay Area crane rental and hauling services, we can help your business expand your serviceable area, let’s look at how.

The Need to Expand

Many businesses are finding that in the metropolises we base ourselves in, we find countless other providers of similar services. While this is convenient for the customer, it spells disaster for those businesses with heavy machinery which need constant upkeep. The need to expand is usually driven by a need for more money coming through the business, so while hauling may add to your costs, it may also provide much-needed financial relief.

Determining your Range

Before making your services known, you’ll need to know exactly how far you can haul your equipment. This will usually be determined by the hauling rate, which considers both the distance and the equipment being carried. If you have different sets of equipment for different tasks, be sure to work out how much it’ll cost for each type.

If you’re in the Bay Area, feel free to contact us as Sheedy Crane to hear about our hauling rates or any of our other relevant services such as Bay Area crane rental and maintenance.

Seasonal Work

You may also want to consider what time of year is best to make your services available away from home, as things like rain may affect your work. If the rain will stop your work, then sticking to late Autumn through to early Spring may be best. Otherwise, if you find places where you have access to storage during rain, you can offer your services year-round.

Making Your Business Available and Known

You’ll want to find those nearby areas with limited access to the services your business provides. There are a couple of different ways you can go about getting your name out there: through social media and word of mouth.

Social Media

This may be the best way to gauge things and is a great way to get your name out there. Jump on any local groups of neighboring areas on your favorite social media platform, and express interest in expanding your services to these areas.

Word of Mouth

Going out into these places and talking to people on the ground is always going to give you a better idea of the situation. By finding businesses you typically work alongside, like hardware stores or electricians, and speaking with them, you may be able to find out whether your services are needed. This is also a good way to hand out your business card to those very same businesses, in case anyone does want to hire you knowing your services can be made available.

Financial Logistics

Before you go out offering your set rates to these areas, be sure to include the cost of hauling onto the cost of your services. While this may increase your rate, it will still be preferable to those businesses who simply want to get work done, rather than waiting for ill-equipped local teams. You may also be able to absorb some of the initial cost if you’re particularly dry on work.

What to Look for in a Heavy Haul Trucking Provider

Finally, if you don’t have the luxury of being able to contact us here at Sheedy Crane for our services, there are some things you should look for in a hauling services provider, including:

– Pilot car support for overweight or over-dimensional cargo

– Project management of the transportation, including procurement of all relevant permits

– Surveys of both the route and intended site, with relevant engineering and feasibility reports

Beyond these, you may also seek those businesses who abide by local emissions requirements, as well as equip their staff with Transport Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs).

Bay Area Heavy Haul Trucking Services

Here at Sheedy Crane, we are more than a crane rental company, we’re proud to handle all things such as heavy haul trucking services, shoring, and rigging. If you’re looking for a provider of high-quality work at a reasonable rate, completed promptly, then look no further than our team. Contact us today to learn more!


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February 14, 2022by Sheedy Blogger0

To say that cranes have been revolutionary to the construction industry is quite the understatement. They have been integral in the development of our cityscapes, and have allowed us to build up rather than expand outwards, enabling many cities to become economic hubs for their country. Although their usefulness isn’t limited to the concrete jungle, there are modern mobile cranes which are able to tackle a range of terrains and environments.

Being able to develop marginalized land has enabled countless developers to house both people and businesses in reasonable proximity to the typical amenities a city contains. Although not all land is built equally, and some terrains can provide serious risks to machinery like tower cranes. As a provider of Bay Area crane rental services, we believe it’s important to remind our clients of the ability of these mobile cranes, and how they can be useful. Here’s a look at different kinds of mobile cranes, and how they can be more suitable in certain circumstances.

Rough Terrain Cranes

The aptly named Rough Terrain Cranes are simply mobile cranes which are designed to be able to maneuver over a range of different surfaces. They achieve this by utilizing their massive rubber wheels which allows for movement over rough surfaces, but also keeps traction on the difficult terrain. They’re generally much more compact than other kinds of off-road cranes, allowing them to get into tighter spaces.

A common misconception about them is that they may be more prone to tipping over, but the implementation of outriggers can ensure their stability through any job. They are also strong enough to carry loads across rough terrain, which can greatly simplify foundational ground work.

One downside of rough terrain cranes is that they typically cannot be driven on roads, unlike all terrain cranes which we will consider next. At our Bay Area crane rental, we provide rough terrain cranes capable of carrying between 10 and 70 tons.

All Terrain Crane

Sharing a lot of the advantages of a rough terrain crane, all terrain cranes are typically considered a hybrid between mobile and rough terrain cranes. Although they hold many advantages over rough terrain cranes, including the aforementioned fact that all terrain cranes can be driven on roads and are even capable of reaching speeds of up to 50mph.

Due to their ability to be driven on roads, all terrain cranes are considered a much more versatile option and can be ready to start lifting shortly after arriving at the site. They can also be equipped with outriggers, and can hold substantially more weight than their rough terrain counterparts. Another notable feature is that they are better equipped to handle a range of weather conditions which may otherwise render a rough terrain crane inept.

When compared with other crane types, you may find that all terrain cranes are a bit more expensive to rent, although the benefits do seem to counteract the cost. Here at Sheedy we have all terrain cranes which can handle between 200 and 500 tons.

Hydraulic Truck Cranes

Unlike the terrain-based cranes that were previously mentioned, the hydraulic truck crane is only really suitable for roads or other reinforced paved surfaces. Despite this, they offer many benefits to those looking to develop inner-city spaces, as like all terrain cranes they are also road legal. On top of having a cab for driving the truck around, they will often have another cab specifically for controlling the crane. This can be absolutely vital in inner-city spaces where very fine maneuverability is valuable.

The use of hydraulics in these kinds of cranes also allows for the safe lifting and hauling of all manner of equipment and material. And due to the telescopic nature of the boom, they can often reach a bit higher than the terrain-centered cranes. The hydraulic truck cranes we offer as part of our Bay Area crane rental services have a lifting capacity of 22 to 90 ton.

Mobile Cranes & Other Crane Rental Services In The Bay Area

Being able to get to the site is simply half the battle for some crane operations, and a range of equipment is necessary to further bolster the efficiency, safety, or efficacy of these cranes. Be sure to inquire about which pieces of equipment may be necessary or helpful for your job, and be sure to only allow professional crane operators to operate them.

The following pieces of equipment may be suitable:

-Crane mats which can provide a stable surface for a crane to operate from

– Man baskets which can allow the safe transport of workers via the crane

– Debris boxes are useful in managing the typical debris involved in demolition and construction

If you’re in the Bay Area, contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!


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January 20, 2022by Sheedy Blogger0

Cranes have truly revolutionized how we build our cityscapes and have allowed us to reach higher than ever before in human history. They have enabled the construction of both residential and commercial skyscrapers, which provide much-needed jobs and accommodation. It’s hard to deny the good that cranes have brought to our modern lives, and we can expect to see them still around in the distant future.

Whether you’re a project manager or simply considering building a skyscraper for whatever reason, you will need to decide whether you’re going to buy or rent a crane. As with anything, both buying and renting have their own benefits and considering either is a must. As a provider of Bay Area Crane rental services, we obviously believe in renting, but we also acknowledge when it’s right to buy.

Here is a look at the pros and cons of renting or buying a crane for use in your projects.

Buying a Crane

Buying a crane was once an ordeal, but nowadays is relatively easy thanks to things like the internet. There are many suppliers, and the following are generally considered to be the top of the industry:

Liebherr Cranes

Konecranes Cranes

Cargotec Cranes

Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Cranes

ZPMC Cranes

Cost of Buying a Crane

The cost of buying a crane fluctuates due to the type of crane or provider, and unlike renting there are many hidden costs. This is what you can expect to pay for the following:

– Loader Crane $15,000 to $500,000+

– Mobile Crane $125,000 to $525,000+

– Overhead Crane $10,000 to $35,000+

– Telescopic Crane $20,000 to $150,000+

– Tower Crane $300,000 to $1,500,000+

As previously stated the true costs may be substantially more than the above-average costs of said cranes. Other things which impact initial cost include any other equipment you may need.

Benefits of Buying a Crane

The benefits of purchasing rather than renting a crane boils down to your intention with the project, and whether you’ll undertake similar projects again. If you’re planning on building several skyscrapers or planning on working on taller buildings for the foreseeable future, then buying may work out cheaper. When maintained appropriately, a new crane can last between 20 and 25 years, making it an ideal investment for a business. The purchase can also be used to claim a variety of tax deductibles, and at the end of the day, the crane will still have residual value for resale.

Cons of Buying a Crane

If you’re only planning a few projects, then outright purchasing a crane may be overkill and can tie up valuable capital which can be better used elsewhere. On top of this, owning a crane comes with a monumental amount of legal responsibilities which need to be strictly adhered to. Finally, there are numerous hidden costs to owning your own crane, from training operators to repairs to general maintenance; and even storage.

Renting a Crane

As with buying, there are countless providers of crane rental services throughout the world which can help you achieve your project goals. Finding the right one for your needs will predominantly be determined by your locale. For Bay Area Crane Rental services, contact us here at Sheedy for any questions you may have which aren’t answered here.

Cost of Renting a Crane

As with the cost of buying outright, the cost of renting cranes depends on both the type of crane and provider, on top of that is the length of time it’s rented for. Unlike buying a crane, renting usually comes at a flat hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly rate, and doesn’t come with hidden costs.

Benefits of Renting a Crane

First and foremost, renting is preferable to buying when you only need to use the crane once or twice. It also allows you access to the latest and greatest technology available, without the overbearing investment. Renting also saves you time and money on both transporting and storing the crane when it’s not being used. You can also utilize a variety of different cranes as opposed to trying to make one crane capable of doing every task. Finally, you won’t need to worry about depreciation or trying to find a buyer.

Cons of Renting a Crane

One of the more commonly considered cons of renting a crane is having to hire and/or train a crane operator to use the specific crane you’ve hired. Although some companies, like Sheedy, can provide trained operators, so in those  cases, this can also be considered a benefit. Renting a crane may become expensive if you have to do it repeatedly, or if you need a highly specialized crane (and operator). Last of all, if you’re renting you may find it difficult to get the crane you need during busy periods.

Looking to Rent or Buy a Crane? Contact Sheedy Crane

While there are specific situations where buying may be preferable, it’s clear to see why so many people opt for renting as well. To learn more about how we can help you with your crane rental needs, check out our website or get in contact with us today.


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December 29, 2021by Sheedy Blogger0

Once upon a time, building taller than a few stories was either an impossible or exceedingly expensive feat left only to Emperors or Kings. Nowadays though, it seems that anyone or any company with enough funds and the right reasons can erect a skyscraper with relative ease–and with crane rental rates such as ours, affordably too! This is largely due to the technology we have available today, and of course most importantly the cranes which allow us to move heavy loads to great heights with ease.

Without cranes, one might even go as far as to assume that it’s impossible to build tall buildings. Although there are countless tall buildings being built throughout the developing world which don’t utilize cranes, rather powered pulley systems which are inefficient and dangerous. A common question we get asked at our Bay Area crane rental office is how to rent a crane and how long you should rent a crane for.

Obviously this question depends on many factors, so let’s consider those below to give you an estimate of how long you should expect to rent a crane.

The Size of the Job Determines A Crane Rental Time

This will usually be the most determining factor in the time you’ll need a crane for in your project. Some smaller jobs, such as very basic renovations on a top floor may only require a crane for an afternoon or a few days. Whereas simply setting up a larger crane (200+ ton) may take a week in itself, with it being used for many months after. The aspects of the jobs size which will affect how long you’ll need a crane include:

  • Whether you are doing demolition, construction, renovation, or all of them
  • How high up you will be working, generally lower-level work will be more manageable than higher-level work
  • External influences which may dictate when the work can be undertaken, for example in a busy urban center work may need to be undertaken during off-peak hours

Determining the size of your job can be difficult without advice from crane operators, feel free to contact us about our Bay Area crane rental services and to ask any questions you may have.

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The Environmental Conditions of Work Being Done

Although this was briefly touched on under the size of the job, the environmental conditions will have a huge impact on the work being undertaken. One of the more important factors in even erecting a crane is having a solid foundation which can support the immense weight of both the crane and the load. While many cityscapes will mostly be concreted, there are still areas with soft ground, or areas where underground utilities need to be worked around.

This is where it’s important to be in contact with engineers who have experience in managing projects similar to yours. In some instances you may want to invest in reinforcing the ground to allow the use of a tower crane, whereas other situations may call for a more portable crane initially followed by the installation of a roof-top or tower crane.

The Weather During Project Length

The third part of the trifecta of what may affect your crane-related construction is the weather. While rain or shine may not affect the kind of work you’re undertaking, any amount of wind will seriously dampen certain efforts. If you’re only undertaking minor work, then finding a sweet spot in the local conditions can be relatively easy. Although if you are going to be construction for 3 to 6 months then you will need to consider seasons and annual changes in wind patterns.

It’s not uncommon for freak winds to appear suddenly and persist for some time, as we’ve heard from some of our Bay Area crane rental customers. As with other peninsulas, the Bay Area is prone to wind due to being surrounded by water on 3 sides. Examining meteorological reports and planning well in advance can help to avoid any wind-related delays.

Experience Levels of Your Team

A final determining factor in how long you may need a crane is the rate at which you and your team work. This is usually dependent on experience levels, as more experienced staff will be able to work more productively, as well as using their wisdom in solving common problems.

If this is one of your first jobs, or your first time working with cranes, you may wish to seek consultancy throughout the project to ensure everything is both up to code, and running efficiently. Any mistakes or accidents on-site can cause monumental delays which may see you holding on to a crane for longer than necessary.

Crane Rental Rates in the Bay Area

Talk to one of the most historic and trusted companies in the Bay Area of California! Sheedy Crane offers some of the best crane rental rates and knowledge on how to rent a crane along with NCCCO certified operators to aid you in completing your projects in a timely manner. Contact Sheedy Crane today for more information.


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October 29, 2021by Sheedy Blogger0

Whether you’re looking to undertake a seismic retrofit on an older building, or build a completely new high rise, you’ll need to find a crane rental company. While it may be easier to buy certain pieces of technology for such jobs, the cost of a crane may be comparable to the cost of the whole project itself. So knowing what to look for in a crane rental company is a must.

Due to the sheer size of your average crane, it’s clear that there need to be many safety regulations in place to protect operators, on-site staff, nearby civilians, and all public and private property in the vicinity. Although this is just one of many nuances to crane operation and management which a good rental company should be on top of. As a leading crane company, we pride ourselves on embodying all of these aspects, and hope this information can be relevant to those in other places.

Here is an overview of all the aspects of a crane rental company you should look for.

Health and Safety

As previously mentioned, the health and safety procedures that a company undertakes are of the utmost importance, as it relates to the health and lives of countless people. According to the Center of Fatal Occupational Injuries, there are on average roughly 44 crane-related deaths each year. With California ranking in the top 5 states for the most crane-related injuries (according to the BLS), we believe that every crane company should put safety first.

There are many different elements which make up the health and safety procedures of crane operations. From the crane itself and any equipment that may come with it, to the operator whether they’re in-house or hired separately.

Crane

First and foremost, any and all cranes which a crane rental company can offer should be built according to the strict regulation which ensures their safety. On top of this they should all be maintained regularly, abiding by both State and Federal regulation. All cranes should be inspected, as well as each component being used, by both in-house and official inspectors acting on behalf of State or Federal regulation. The same consideration of regulation, maintenance, and inspection should be applied to all equipment hired with the crane.

Operator Procedure

Whether you’re hiring a crane operator separately, or hiring one with your crane rental service, they should be completely qualified with all certification required of them. On top of this they should be confident in answering any procedural questions you may have. You should also be able to work with them to ensure the tasks are undertaken in the safest way first, then considering such things as efficiency.

Experience and Reputation

Once you’ve confirmed the company you’re considering has good safety regulations, the next consideration should be their experience and reputation. These are important as, even if they claim to abide by all safety regulations, in practice they may cut corners and risk harm to people or property.

Experience

An experienced crane rental company will know exactly what your job requires, and will be able to guide you through the project with ease. This is integral, especially in those projects where the project manager may not have much or any experience with cranes. Those experienced in operating cranes will know all of the good or bad signs which can define the safety or success of certain rigging or hoisting tasks. You should look for a company with at least 10 years of experience, although some can have more than 50, so be sure to go with those that are more experienced.

Sheedy Crane has been operating for 85 years now.

Reputation

Testimonials can help us determine the legitimacy of such things as experience, as well as safety in practice, as they are first-hand accounts of working alongside the company in question. With younger crane rental companies you may wish to seek out recent clients and speak with them directly to get an idea of how they helped the project come to life. Whereas with older companies you may find it easier to simply visit some of their completed buildings to see how they’ve faced the test of time.

Other Aspects

These are the defining aspects which will make or break your project, and should be the major considerations when deciding on a crane rental company. Although there are a few other elements which you may wish to investigate, including:

  • Responsiveness – communication is key when it comes to such projects, so their responsiveness can be indicative of their communication abilities.
  • Time Management – as with communication, timeliness is integral to the efficacy and efficiency of a project.

Equipment – not only having the equipment necessary, but having alternatives is a must when it comes to crane companies, as every project is vastly different.

Crane Rental Company California

For any questions about our services or if you’d like to rent a crane from one of the most reputable and historic companies in the Bay Area of San Francisco, contact us today or give us a call at (415) 648-7171!


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