crane rental Archives - Sheedy Crane

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September 15, 2020by elite0

When it comes to cranes, businesses are often faced with an important question: do we buy or do we rent?

It’s a big question, particularly for companies trying to manage a tight budget. In that case, here are five reasons why renting a crane might make more sense.

  1. Savings

If your company has years’ worth of construction projects on its docket, then buying a crane makes good financial sense.

But if you only anticipate needing a crane intermittently — maybe once or twice a year — then renting a crane is going to provide you substantial savings on maintenance, repairs training and storage, as well as the need to come up with a down payment.

You’ll also save on insurance costs when you opt for Bay Area crane rental, as renting puts the burden of insurance costs on the rental company. If you do have to pay an insurance premium, it would only last as long as you’re renting the crane.

Finally, you’ll save on transportation costs, as getting the crane to and from your site is typically the job of the rental company.

  1. Access to the latest technology

If you buy a crane, it’s going to depreciate. That’s just how machinery works. But when you rent a crane, you’ll likely be renting machinery that uses the newest technology, allowing you to work with greater efficiency without worrying about depreciation.

  1. Increased safety

When you rent a crane, you’ll know that you’re working with the right equipment for the job, which helps prevent employee injuries and reduces accidents, which in turn reduces downtime.

  1. Expertise and equipment

You may not have anyone on your staff who is equipped to operate a crane. And training someone to do that job might take more time and money than you want to spend.

But with a Bay Area crane rental service, you’ll be able to rent a crane manned by a qualified operator, giving you peace of mind that your machinery is being handled safely.

Renting is also a good option for companies that might need more than one specialized piece of machinery to complete a job. Rather than spending money on equipment you might never need again, you can just rent different machines as needed.

  1. Less maintenance

If you buy a crane, you might need to spend months getting an employee trained to repair and inspect your new equipment. But with crane rental, you’ll spend less time — and less money — dealing with maintenance and repairs.

Bay Area crane rental from Sheedy Crane

Are you searching for Bay Area crane rental for your next project? Turn to Sheedy Crane. We have an extensive, modern collection of mobile and speciality cranes available for rent.

We own all of our equipment and our cranes are operated by NCCCO-certified operators and maintained in-house.

We would be delighted to have one of our estimators visit your site or office to help you plan your crane rental and rigging requirements. Contact us today to learn more.


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June 24, 2020by elite0

Cranes come in all shapes and sizes for a reason, no job demands the same things of your equipment. Therefore, when renting a crane its crucial to consider what aspects of the job may create unique challenges for you. Choosing the wrong crane is not only inefficient and could cause you to do a subpar job or make mistakes, but it can be downright dangerous with trying to “make do” with mismatched equipment. That’s why choosing the right crane beforehand is crucial.

Taking the time to consider the project and choose the right crane can be the difference between a job well done and a disaster.

What are the Load Bearing Requirements of the Job?

Scout the site of the job and really think about what needs to be done and how it needs to be done. What is the heaviest thing you will need to lift using a crane? That is the item that you must base your crane off of, as exceeding the load bearing capabilities of your chosen crane is not only very dangerous, but also an OSHA violation that could hurt the reputation of your company and result in fines.

What are the Height Requirements of the Job?

Much like with the considerations for weight the crane must bear, height requirements are equally important. The height will determine not only how high you can safely operate, but it is typically associated with the load bearing capacity of the crane too. Generally speaking, a larger crane can tolerate larger loads as well.

Because cranes that are used for moving objects high up are more subject to wind forces a greater counterweight must be used to keep the crane steady. Some of the most common projects that require a crane to lift something extraordinarily high are when high-rise buildings need to replace or install new windows. The panes are incredibly heavy as they must resist the enormous wind pressure (or potential wind pressure from storms) at 30, 40, 50 stories up! This is delicate work, as even nudging the window is not ideal nor acceptable. A steady crane path as well as a strong and tall crane capable of lifting the windows to the appropriate height are required for such as job, as an example.

How much Access and Mobility is Required?

Not all job sites are spacious and allow for easy maneuverability. What’s the use in having a towering and powerful crane if you can’t get it to where it needs to be? Boom trucks are highly valued for this mobility. In our blog about choosing Boom Trucks or Cranes, we also discussed how important mobility around a jobsite was. From the outside looking in, we assume that construction projects are perfectly planned and always proceed accordingly.

However, new challenges are always arising on the job and so having flexibility (and mobility) to get around the site and deal with things as they arise is a crucial part of being a reliable and efficient contractor.

Choosing the Right Crane

Choosing the right equipment for your job is critical to finishing on time and finishing well. Sheedy Crane owns a modern and extensive fleet of mobile and specialty cranes that are capable of nearly any job! We know our equipment better than anyone else, which is why we are more than happy to provide estimators to visit your job site or office and assist you with deciding which crane would be best for you. Learn more about Sheedy Crane and more about out Bay Area Crane Rental services here.

Contact Sheedy Crane today for our reliable equipment, fair prices, and industry-standard NCCO certified operators. We can help you choose the right crane for your job!


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April 9, 2020by elite0

Construction is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

When it comes to doing good work and planning a successful lift or job, deciding which equipment you should use is a high priority. Many OSHA violations and jobsite accidents can come from the fact that a worker or operator has erroneously decided to solve a problem using the wrong equipment. This can be something as simple as using a winch to lift something far too heavy for the load bearing capacity. Two common pieces of equipment that serve similar functions are the “boom truck” and crane. The only real question is, when should you use each?

What is a Boom Truck?

If you have worked in construction, it seems to be a silly question to ask. However, the term boom truck is often used interchangeably for several mobile vehicles with lifting capabilities. Basically, any vehicle that can move and has a crane atop it can be considered a boom truck.

Best Jobs for Boom Trucks

The biggest advantage that boom trucks have is that they can maneuver quite easily around a jobsite. Construction workers know that regardless of how well laid the plans are for a job site, as well as lift planning, a construction site is still a hectic place to get around in. If it wasn’t, OSHA would not be so strict on safety protocols involving personnel wandering around the lift area.

While a boom truck can lift heavy loads of several tons with stability, it’s not the prime choice of machinery to use with heavy duty lifting. The chief benefit of using a boom truck is the versatility it offers in handling a variety of smaller jobs around the site. A lot of times, equipment or materials need to be hoisted onto an elevated part of the jobsite, and a boom truck can very efficiently handle this task.

A cherry picker is a great example of a type of boom truck which has a loading basket fastened to it. This is a crucial tool for maintenance workers who often need to stop and go to various places and reach inaccessible heights.

When Should You Rent a Crane?

Cranes are best utilized for lifting extremely heavy loads which will require counterbalancing and more stability than a truck can offer. The vast majority of sites will require a mobile crane instead of the many other types of specialty cranes. Mobile cranes are most often used for moving equipment and materials that are too heavy for a boom truck or other smaller equipment to move.

There are many different steps involved in a successful construction job. When you think of a construction site the first thing you may think of is a crane. However, newly hired construction workers are surprised to find out that using a crane is only a small part of doing a majority of jobs. Before that time comes, there is a lot of planning, resource allocation, and set up involved at the site. Smaller equipment such as boom trucks can help facilitate that process and speed it up.

It is for this reason that companies like us at Sheedy Crane provide our cranes for rental. Ultimately, businesses operate on fine margins and are always looking for cost-effective solutions. While access to a crane is critical for completing many if not most big jobs, you will find it is much more effective to simply rent the crane for the period in which you actually need it.

This puts an even greater importance on planning your lifts and project management.

Bay Area Crane Rental

A crane is an essential piece of equipment in construction work. While there are many different tools and equipment available to do similar jobs, it is an irreplaceable aspect of getting things done on site. Whether using a boom truck or a dedicated crane, they are the prevailing tool for resource allocation and site management that allows projects to go smoothly, and safely.

Contact Sheedy Crane for all of your crane rental needs.


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May 10, 2019by elite0

Have you ever wondered about the process of renting a crane? There are many different types of cranes and a wide variety of things they can be used for. Knowing which kind of crane is most fitting for the job you need is your first step. Let’s say you are a landscaper; a crane is a perfect addition to the tools and equipment you already use. A crane will give you the extra height you need to trim, cut or prune those super tall trees. It will give the gardener a lift or the crane can be used to lift the tree itself. Crane services are ideal and very necessary for most landscapers who are hired for big estates, schools or industrial properties. There is a lot of ground needed to be covered and many things must be lifted or hauled that a person can’t do with their strength alone.

A crane service is great because it enables work to be done in a shorter time frame than it would with the strength of manpower alone. That is when a crane service comes in to play. You would contact a company like Sheedy Crane to come and estimate the job you wish to accomplish. They would examine all the aspects of the job you’re hiring them for, the time frame needed, and the weight of the lifting. Then, they would suggest the best crane for that specific task. Since cranes specialize in hauling, lifting, hoisting and other actions that are related to landscaping, you’ve selected the perfect machine all in one. Keep in mind that crane services are by no means limited to landscaping. They are used for many more tasks as listed in greater lengths on the website. Read on to learn about the process of renting a crane.

Selecting your ideal crane

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Sheedy has many cranes available for rental.

Cranes are designed to do many things for a vast amount of activities. It’s an all in one tool. There are also many add on features that can be attached to the crane itself to increase its ability. Crane companies know each crane inside and out and are the best ones to ask questions about before you begin your project. Cranes vary depending on what amount of weight they are able to pick up, move or hold. Crane services are measured by the ton, and range from 500 tons, to as little as a 10-ton load, and smaller. A landscaper would most likely require the power of a 10-ton crane, such as a rough terrain crane or a Hydraulic crane. A consumer in the landscape field would probably be interested in a crane that comes equipped with a man-basket, which would enable easier pruning services, spreader bars, pallet forks, and more. A good crane candidate would also be a hydraulic truck crane when it comes to landscaping projects if it entails moving stones or uprooting trees. Again, the crane rental service or local crane company would be the right ones to identify the ideal crane for your desired job. Perhaps the project for which you need a crane services requires the use of two cranes at once or two different cranes. Both scenarios are possible with Sheedy Crane.

Crane Rental Service San Francisco Bay Area

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Choosing a company like Sheedy Crane is the best way to ensure your job will be completed successfully. Sheedy Crane provides the best answers and recommendations to meet your end goal. Once you’ve established which crane you will be renting for the task at hand, you are on your way! If you find during the process of completing the contracted job that you need a stronger crane or additional services, don’t hesitate to inquire. Cranes are the ideal machine to complete any job which entails heavy lifting, moving, and reaching. With its powerful and swiftly engineered angles, it will be sure to meet your needs. The only requirements for renting a crane are a license in the state you are operating the heavy machinery. It is a safe and dependable service which can be implemented for simple tasks, as well as extremely complicated ones. Sheedy Crane employs knowledgeable and trained personnel whose top priority is helping you accomplish your assignment. Renting a crane will be based off of which crane best suits your endeavor. The crane rental company will be able to draft up the expense based on the time frame required of the cranes service. For more information visit the website for tips about crane use or numbers specific to your moving, hauling, lifting and rigging needs.


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January 14, 2019by elite0

When most people think of cranes they think of construction (and rightly so!). Cranes are used to lift and move loads which are beyond human ability to transport simply, so they are commonly employed in loading and unloading freight or in material movement during construction. We at Sheedy Crane specialized in these typical functions of cranes. But these traditional and well-known uses of cranes aren’t the whole story. Cranes for film production have a rich and widely varied history and are responsible for many iconic scenes in a countless number of blockbuster films.

Why cranes are essential in film production

Cranes are essential in film production because they allow filmmakers to capture shots that would otherwise be impossible. Cranes can move in multiple directions, providing filmmakers with the ability to capture unique angles and perspectives. They also allow for smooth, steady movement, which is essential for creating visually stunning shots.

Introducing: Crane Shots

Camera man using Cranes for Film Production on wild west movie setThe ground-breaking addition of cranes to the repertoire of tools used in film production can be traced back to 1916, with the film Intolerance. This D.W. Griffith silent film features what is widely accepted as the first “crane shot.” The inventor and engineer Allan Dwan, a fellow film director, dreamed up the yet-unheard-of shot for Griffith’s film. The result had an impact, making audience members gasp in wonder from the grandiosity and scale of the sight.

Not long thereafter, camera cranes created to elicit just such a reaction became popular at major movie studios. They were typically produced as massive monstrosities, specialty items created by large ironworks companies. They got bigger and heavier, carrying multiple people and the cumbersome camera equipment of the day. Each crane was built with a specific shot or purpose in mind, and as such their appearance and capabilities varied greatly, while their mobility was limited.

Different types of cranes used in film production

There are several types of cranes used in film production, including the telescopic crane, the camera crane, and the jib arm. Each of these cranes has its own unique features and benefits, making it important to choose the right crane for the specific shot you want to capture.

Telescopic cranes are the most common type of crane used in film production. They allow for smooth, continuous movement, and can reach heights of up to 100 feet. Camera cranes, on the other hand, are smaller and more lightweight, making them ideal for capturing shots in tight spaces.

Jib arms are another popular type of crane used in film production. They are ideal for capturing shots that require a lot of movement, such as tracking shots and crane shots. Jib arms can be mounted on a tripod or attached to a dolly, providing filmmakers with even more flexibility and control.

Benefits of using cranes in film production

Using cranes in film production offers several benefits, including increased flexibility, improved shot quality, and more efficient production. Cranes allow filmmakers to capture shots that would otherwise be impossible, giving them more creative control over their work. They also make it easier to create smooth, seamless shots, which can help improve the overall quality of the film.

In addition, using cranes in film production can help make the production process more efficient. By using cranes, filmmakers can capture multiple shots in a single take, reducing the need for multiple retakes and speeding up the production process.

The Camera Crane Revolution

And so it was, for over 20 years in the film industry. Bulky cranes for film production with little flexibility stayed on studio lots, seldom transported to on-location shoots. That all changed in the late 1940’s, when Ralph Chapman, a special effects technician with a knack for engineering, developed a line of cranes. His gasoline-powered film crane could travel on location independently, revolutionizing the use of exterior crane shots in film. Before long, these mobile crane units were available for hire.Camera man using Cranes for Film Production

Television and sports soon joined the fray, and the high-angle boom shots became popular in filming dance numbers, creating emotive scenes, and covering sports, much to the delight of audiences. Since the early days of limited, one-off cranes made for particular shots, technology has exploded. Crane capability has vastly improved, alongside the safety-consciousness and expertise of operators. The use of crane shots in both television and film is ubiquitous in the modern era of entertainment.

Cranes for Film Production Today

Studios and production companies generally rent crane equipment from the manufacturers who own them. This cuts down on costs and allows for a variety of cranes to be used on a production. The usage of rented cranes in film and production has seen a decline in recent years, as the introduction of drones and light-weight digital cameras have revolutionized the industry. Despite this shift, there will no doubt always be room for the silent, sweeping shots which can only be obtained by the massive cranes originally designed decades ago. They are a part of the history and future of the crane industry, and will help tell stories in a way nothing else can for years to come.

Got any questions about crane rental or our other services? Contact us today or give us a call at (415) 648-7171.


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