Plan your crane lift with Whitsunday Crane Hire
What to have ready for a quote, how to pick between a Franna and an all-terrain crane, and what happens from the first call to lift day.
What to have ready for a quote
The more of this you can tell us, the faster and more accurate the quote. Don't worry if you don't have it all, Lofty will work out the rest on the site check.
The weight
How heavy the load is, plus any slings, spreader bars or lifting frames. A spec sheet or delivery docket helps.
Size and lift points
The length, width and height, and where it can be lifted from. Long or awkward loads may need two cranes.
From and to
Where it is now and exactly where it needs to land. The distance from the crane decides the radius, and the radius decides the crane.
Access
Street and driveway width, gates, slopes, soft ground and anything the crane has to drive over or around.
Overhead hazards
Power lines, trees, roofs and anything else above the lift path or where the crane will set up. Lifts near powerlines are planned under the Queensland electrical safety code of practice.
Timing and photos
Your preferred dates and any deadlines, plus a few photos or a site plan. Photos save a lot of back and forth.
Crane lifts near powerlines
Powerlines are one of the biggest risks on a crane job, and plenty of streets and house blocks around Airlie Beach have them close by. We plan every lift near overhead or underground lines under the Queensland Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020: Working near overhead and underground electric lines.
- Lofty checks for overhead and underground lines at the free site check, and measures how close they are to the set-up area and the lift path.
- The code sets exclusion zones around electric lines. How big they are depends on the voltage of the line.
- If the crane or the load could come inside an exclusion zone, we talk to Ergon Energy about isolating or covering the lines before the lift.
- Where the code calls for one, a safety observer watches the crane and the load the whole time we work near the lines.
- We ask about underground cables and services before the outriggers or pads go down.
Franna, all-terrain or truck crane?
The quick version. Tell us the load, the height and the site, and Lofty will match the crane to the job.
Franna pick-and-carry
15T, 20T and 25TFrannas drive with the load on the hook, so they can lift, carry and place without setting up outriggers. Fast to set up and easy on tight streets and soft-edged sites.
- Residential lifts, pools, spas and building materials
- Marine work at boat ramps and hardstands
- Moving loads around site, including dual lifts
All-terrain and truck cranes
55T and 80TOur 80T all-terrain and 55T truck crane set up on outriggers and reach much higher and further, up to 73m tip height on the 80T Grove. The choice for heavy lifts, steel, trusses and high reach.
- Heavy lifts, steel structures and roof trusses
- Yacht masts and big marine lifts
- Mining, infrastructure and commercial sites
Full specs and load charts for every crane: Our fleet and Load charts
From first call to lift day
The same four steps for every job, big or small.
Send us the job
Call Lofty or Casey, or use the quote form, with the details above.
Free site check
Lofty looks at the ground, access, overhead hazards and where the crane will set up.
Quote and lift plan
You get a quote, and we prepare the lift plan and SWMS for the job.
Lift day
A licensed operator and dogman arrive on time and land the load where you need it.
Getting ready for lift day
A few things on your side make the day run smoothly and keep everyone safe. Lofty will go through anything specific to your job at the site check.
- Clear the access path and the set-up area
- Let neighbours know if the crane will block a driveway or street
- Sort any permits or traffic control we flag at the site check
- Have the load ready to lift, with lift points accessible
- Keep people and vehicles clear of the lift area on the day
- Be contactable in case the weather changes the plan
Planning questions
How much notice do you need?
As much as you can give us, especially for the bigger cranes and mine site work. We can sometimes fit in short-notice jobs, so call and ask.
Do I need a site visit?
For most jobs, yes. Lofty's site checks are free and make sure we send the right crane and set up in the right spot. Simple, repeat jobs can sometimes be quoted from photos.
What happens if the weather turns?
Cranes can't lift safely in strong wind or storms. If the weather isn't safe on the day, we'll talk to you and move the lift to the next safe window.
How is a crane job priced?
Every job is quoted, based on the crane, the crew and how long the job will take. Send us the details and we'll give you a clear quote before we book it in.
Can you lift near powerlines?
Yes, with the right planning. We follow the Queensland Electrical Safety Code of Practice for working near overhead and underground electric lines, check the distance to the lines at the site check, and arrange isolation or a safety observer where the code requires it.
The Whitsundays and the islands
Lofty does free site checks from our Cannon Valley yard right across the Whitsunday region, and we plan island and mine site jobs with you over the phone first.
Whitsunday Islands
Lifts on the resort islands.
Airlie Beach
Our home patch, close to the yard.
Proserpine to Bowen
Across the rest of the region.
Western mine sites
Mine and industrial work out west.
Ready to plan your lift?
Call Lofty or Casey with the details, or send them through the quote form. Free, no-obligation quotes and site checks.