Bigger Lifts, Bigger Planning
What's in a lift?
It is not until you reflect back on a lift that you realise how much work and effort goes into bringing a project to life… and how long “big works” actually sit in the pipeline.
Last week, while deep into organising 150s, 300s and 450s for a client I started to ponder this.
So I thought I’d take the opportunity to run you through the process that brought this major lift to life.*
We work with Big Screen Video on all of their crane lifts. Occasionally their jobs are straight forward bubble lifts but more often than not, they involve large-scale, long-term planning with multiple partners and stakeholders.
We’ve lifted with them at the Ascot Vale Hotel, completed multiple lifts at Kew and Camberwell Junction and currently have several complex lifts in the pipeline.
They approached us to work on a job in Bentleigh in the service lane off Nepean Highway, we ended up working with the fabricators for the lifts but we installed screens supplied by Big Screen Video. Here is how it rolled out:
May 2024 - Planning for the lift started.
Job: Bentleigh Screen Lift
Objective:
- visit one – remove the old billboard and footings
- visit two – installing footings and new digital screen.
HOW IT WORKS:
#1 – Client calls us up and we discuss the scope of works over the phone – potential barriers, issues, weights, timelines. This job had already been sitting for some time prior to us jumping on board, so we had some knowledge of the type of permits we would need to have to carry out the lift.
#2 – From that initial conversation, Nathan completes an online mark-up with weights and radiuses in mind. Most of the time we can issue a quote from this. On very complex tasks like this, we also carry out a physical inspection to ensure we have the right cranes in the paperwork from the start. Getting the wrong crane early creates headaches later.
#3 – Nathan then completes the site inspection – gathering data and analysing what the site ACTUALLY looks like. Road conditions. Trees. Powerline placements. Businesses trading nearby. Traffic flow. Probable wind conditions etc.
Nathan records asset numbers on powerlines and takes photos and videos to support the lift throughout planning and to assist the team on lift day. Clarity in this data collection is pivotal as some of the larger works have 6, 12, 18- or even 24 month timelines. And when timelines push out that far, we always do a reinspect.
#4 – From there, Nathan and I put together a plan for the job. He gives me all the information I need to put the lift together in a timely and safe manner. I then confirm or adjust my quote with a client.
#5 – Once the quote is confirmed and I get the go ahead the client has won the job and it’s moving into production, I start my process. Permits take time. It’s always easier to push dates back than be running for a finish line unprepared, so we always start as soon as possible.
#6 – BUT – before lodging anything I need an overlay from Nathan detailing the lift, including its capacities and radiuses. Not only does this mean we are always on the same page as the customers and suppliers, but it also ensures the permit authorities receive all the required data from the start to be able to analyse and approve our paperwork.
#7 – I always start with the Power Permit. It takes the longest and carries the biggest unknown in terms of cost – they don’t provide quotes before starting the process. You receive the quote after the physical inspection.
#8 – Next comes Traffic Permits
#9 – While we’ve been working away on the permits, we also confirm works with our lifting partner. Whether it’s a 100, 250, 300 or 450, Nathan runs through every job with the Operations Manager from the supply company to ensure we are all on the same page and the lift can be done safely and on time.
For this particular lift we needed a 130 tonne and 60 tonne crane for the dismantle, and a 60 tonne crane for the install
#10 – Then we wait.
We wait for the Power Company to set up an inspection meeting with us.
And we wait for the Traffic Company to grant us notifications of approval.
#11 – The power company dictates the time of works. In this case it was set for a Sunday- the quietest trading day for the business to close while the power was off. Sometimes this means night works or weekend works that require a re-quote if not accounted for in the beginning.
Lift Day - Sunday 15th September 2024
#12 – Traffic management and permits all in place
Power Shutdown (with a strict time allocation to complete the works in)
Cranes, Counterweight Trucks and Crane Crew all on site.
Installers ready to move.
#13 – For a job like this, I try to get out to site with a coffee/bacon and egg run. The days are long. Weather can be unpredictable and morale matters.
What Comes next?
#14 – One thing I enjoy about large projects is the second visit. All the groundwork is done – permits are already active, everyone is familiar with the job, and that heavy lifting (on paper) is all complete. Instead of weeks or months of back-and-forth, this time it’s about confirming dates, final inspections and making sure the job is done safely.
#15 – Then we do it all again for the install.
On this particular install the wind was not on our side. We ended up in a holding pattern for about 7-hours mid install until the conditions dropped enough to complete the job safely.
Mobile cranes are extremely versatile equipment. They’re known to be a go-to choice for projects such as window and glass installations, tree removals, installing large air conditioners, roofing projects, and much more. No matter what the project requires, the weight of each object will cause different kinds of stressors on the crane. Some may pull down on the boom more than others, while certain objects may cause the weight to lean due to its structure. Above all, a thorough inspection of the project’s site will lead you to the type of mobile crane you’re looking for.
Big lifts don’t just happen.
They’re scoped, inspected, engineered, permitted and coordinated months in advance – long before lift day even arrives.
When it runs smoothly on the day, that’s not luck.
Anyone can just send a crane.
But not everyone sends a plan with it.
“You do you , we’ll do cranes”