james lynch I hope you have a huge retirement check, a great pension, good health and happiness. I hope you have more money than you know what to do with. Cuz that's what a person like you deserves. This is crazy to do. I couldn't do this to save my soul
Whoever engineered these dam cranes are pure genius!! I work construction and I'll find myself staring at them watching them sway side to side more than a f'n ft while picking up and moving thousands and thousands of lbs, got lots of respect for these operators cause without them there really is no construction for the majority of all trades, so I thank you Mr. Crane operator🤜🤛
deans0209 lol...me too They have tower cranes here where I work and I was thinking if I might have the guts to do this. After seeing this video I completely changed my mind! I’m not curious anymore.
I'm 81 years and these Tower cranes were unheard of when I was a kid. Absolute brilliant video and I thank you for sharing it. If I was younger and wanted a job up there what sort of salary can one expect (after training of course} 1951 when I started work in a food shop I worked a 48 hour week for £2.10pence......lol
Nope, I’m OUT ! I don’t even like being this tall ! Every time he looked down, I felt like I was falling off the couch ! BUT, anyone who can climb this high, using slick, wet metal steps, carrying a sack in one hand, to get into a machine that loves to topple over, has my respect !! 😁
I liked this video very much. I am 66 now but I used to make my living erecting and climbing radio antenna Towers. I would very much like to see a video of your crew erecting and then disassembling one of these cranes from the ground up. Stay safe out there. Enjoy the Life & the view while it lasts. Your friend in Abilene, Texas.
I do this every day the most scary part is when it's windy , it sways like hell . I work around the sea side which is really prone to heavy winds it was impossible for me to operate today
Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
@@renwhite1809 I don't know about the US but here here in Europe you can make up to 3k euros a month In Switzerland you can earn more but the cost of living is very high
Va Hoss. Witnessed one at Monument in London. One of the concrete weights landed on a car killing old boy. Nothing left of car. Part of crane crashed onto roof of one building and was wedged but crane driver was killed also. Lucky not any others as busy area. Will never forget that day. Never do i want to see thst again. There was another one not too far from this one and about 6 people killed on that one. That was a few years later but i did not see it thank god. Was on news. David
I was an overhead crane operator but the highest one I ever ran was about 4-5 stories. That even makes my butt clinch some. Hope they have a small porta-potty up there. Long way down to take a leak
I WANT THIS LIFE SO BAD!!!! Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Living in Bude,I watched the crane being assembled on the old St.Hillary site,just a few feet from my house,and watched the disassembly some weeks later. Seeing those guys walking on the boom while it was traversing was almost heart-stopping. I must admit,I said a prayer for those chaps,because they have a lot of nerve and courage. The crane is in Spain now.However,I shall always remember the time it was here.
Used to work at a feed supplement mill. Our main leg was 110 feet, candle tanks were 140. Always wanted to try higher, cranes, high steel, window cleaning, etc but never got the chance. Video gives a sense, but without the movement it's not the same. Thanks for this. Couple camera bobbles woke up the bellyflies.
Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
I know there's counter weights, but what does that mean when there's no weight on the jib? surely the weight on the rear of the crane needs to be countered with something? Why doesn't it 'tip backwards'?
Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
@@marcocorrea4834 YES join a union if you can. Better pay, you get to vote on what happens in the union, you can request better housing allowance, paid lunch breaks, access to better training, free apprentice programs etc
@@nicolomarchillo4451 Thank you for the advice, brother! I've been looking into Local 12 in Las Vegas. Perhaps you've got another option that would be worth taking a look at? If not, that's cool. You've been helpful! Stay safe!
It's a old Liebherr crane, one of the greatest. I used to work on that crane and you know what? I really miss that! Currently I work on Terex Comedil new crane from 2013 and it's garbage compared to this Liebherr. There is a huge difference between speed,control and everything.... If you are good crane operator on liebherr you have full controll so Malcom I ENVY you !! BTW. I usually climb with bag so it's normal I guess :)
Mad Dan yes a lovely old crane, the oldies will always be the best. drive her as hard and fast as you can. 70m stick, no computers. I'm in my element with these old dinosaurs
I fix these things, often while they are being operated, no biggie. They are fun to run as well although they are really quite simple as compared to a ground crane. It's mostly knowing your limits and learning to react with the machine to keep it all smooth.
This video literally nauseated me!!! Climbing up a ladder a zillion feet up in the air with the added bag in your hand!!! You are one fearless man!!!! Holey Toledo!!!
Tower cranes have always amazed me! It just looks like they should always topple over....lol!? Thank God, most of them don't...! Awesome stuff, Brother!
Many years ago a friend was offered a chance to train as a tower crane driver for a huge increase in pay. He went up the tower once and went back to driving a J.C.B.
I amazed on how those things are strong eneogh to stay up and not topple so easily even with strong winds, my respect to you sir for having balls of steel!
I logged in just to thumbs up the video and thank you for showing us the views of your job. Although mine is higher and louder, yours is a more peaceful one. Now I know what a tower crane looks like inside the cab. A lonely job it seems. Thankfully I have a pilot to talk to.
Thanks for the video. Some commentary would have been nice, like telling how the jib starts to drop at the end when you are lifting heavy stuff like a concrete skip; the sway when the wind gets up; and the wonderful sounds of those slew motors when you crank them up - and look down to see the tower twist with the torque reaction. I drove them (drove - operate, same difference) back in the seventies; a big Babcock, a Stothert & Pitt on rails (with a 90° bend half way along - that was challenging!) both at Bitcham Newton training centre. Then Lindens on site. Great stuff.
No safety harness while outside the cab? Here in the USA we’ve gotta be tied off fully if you’re more than 6 feet above grade and not in the enclosure (cab).
There are osha approved guard rails on the crane, all cranes have them the only time you need to be tied of was in the basket on the trolly, or outside the guard rails.
Short note to all the viewers, (this isn't my video but thought I would add to it) I spent 30 years in these things, tallest was just over 900'. Wind is the hardest thing you have to fight, we dread March and thunderstorms (I was hit by lightning 9 times in the crane and really felt it 4 times-the door and window was open)and believe it or not I have seen people get motion sickness in the crane-it really sways and moves around. And now for the question I was always asked-what do you do if you gotta go, well for me I recycled my water bottles and for number 2 used a scented trash bag (in a bucket) then stuffed that into a freezer bag. Carry all the trash out everyday and throw it out when you hit the ground. You need 1000 hours operating a regular crane before you can learn these now, was different years ago.
I ran tower for a couple years, in a mobile now... We just needed to rig until the company we were with was gracious enough to sign our apprenticeship, then a little schooling and some hours in seat and rigging and you had your ticket! I enjoy mobile much more! Very nice to be able to move around on the ground! I do miss the morning views though
I'm guessing roller coasters don't bother you? I don't know how you do it. I'm guessing wearing a GoPro while sitting at my desk all day in my first floor office probably wouldn't get as many views!
They're redoing the roof on my condo building. I'm on the 12th floor and the crane operator has an almost straight shot view into my kitchen window (except that the windows are reflective). It's fascinating to watch ... until that thing starts swaying back and forth by about a foot in either direction. Then it becomes 'laundry' time.
I got weak knees as he started climbing, I noticed there was no safety hook I was expecting to hear the clicking of the hook as he climb through each section.
Into a plastic bottle until full then bring it down with you, as for a 💩I'm 20 year's working with tower cranes and the driver has always stopped and climbed down to the toilet.
I was wondering about the life of a crane operator on my many walks and then youtubes answered it. thanks for sharing! I got some questions if you can answer them: 1. Bathroom?!! 2. what weather condition are you not allowed to work on? 3. what engine does the crane run on and what power? 4. what are the average age of crane operators? when do they usually retire? 5. any strange and interesting stories? 6. when are the times you hate this job? it looks like you enjoy it though. 7. Would you encourage your kids to be a crane operator? 8. what do you think would be a new crane technology that would really help your line of work? 9. How long was your training? 10. Working on high up there. do you have a different perspective on how you see the world?
Just the fact knowing you have to climb up the crane, no elevator, is exhausting enough! Then, feeling the crane swaying in the wind....Good Lord! I hate heights myself, and this unfortunately is a no for me.....but for those who do these daunting tasks.....GOD BLESS YOU!!
Did this job many years, they don't show the fun times when storms come up or when the ladder ices up in the winter. Generally the tower crane operators are the first to work in the morning and last to leave at night, you bring everything you might need with you in the morning or you do without. What is not mentioned is when a load is hoisted or the crane is swinging there is a great amount of movement. I knew and worked with many Iron workers that refused to be on the crane while it was working because of the movement. Worst part of the commute to work was the last 200". Two most important things to get used to were the movement and depth perception - but looking on the bright side Tower crane operators are the highest paid employees on the job site -( we are paid and we are the highest ).
Always respected the tower brothers,was on 110t crawler rig ,an we set up a tower on site,i was young then an climbed up to check it out heights din't bother me but standing behind operator did, man we was rockin an rollin! Bro running it said thats part of it,being a mobilcrane operator an before all the computer sht,where youd feel loads by seat of your ass, i made my mind to stay on good soild ground with the crawlers,retired after 42 years made a goodliving also
Seems to me that some enterprising soul would have come up with an electric winch such as you see on ATV's and mount it near the cab after the crane is up. Using a safety vest/harness for the operator to wear with D ring type hook up to latch on the lift wire. Use a remote control device or hard wire switches at the top and bottom. Would save a lot of wear and tear on knees and legs, especially for older operators.
J Gileo You must think what you eat in the evening and teach your organism always to go to the toilet in the morning before you go to work. But if it still happens I use plastic bags. You should not even think about you have time to get down.
I had to go out to the end of the jib (as you did) on our hammerhead crane as the sheave's inner bearing had collapsed right at the tip. I knocked the centre pin out and replaced the entire sheave. The height doesn't seem to bother me. btw can't understand what you were thinking when you dropped the trap-door on the white electrical cable, lucky you didn't slice it...although you are earthed, don't take risks up there...at 5:50. The towers bolts are huge but don't let that settle your nerves we over tightened them with the machine supplied by Lheiberr, however the man in charge of the jump mis-read the torque settings and we put near double the required torque on the new tower section. This actually stretched the bolts considerably maybe over an inch or two, they possibly could have snapped. You could see a slight bow in the tower where the bolts were over tight, which I noticed after the driver on day one said something ain't right. Shutdown for weeks waiting on new bolts and tests, they were the first two hammerheads shipped to Australia. Darwin 1983-84.
Hey Charlie, thanks very much for your story pal. Just to put your mind at ease that cable was disconnected. Just laziness on my part for not ripping it out.
@@malcolmswan6576 yeah no worries nice to know no power in that cable... I guess it was easy to drop the hatch on the cable to cushion the slam , don't want loud bangs up there especially with a loadnon ;).. crane operators are good thinkers they always come up with a better idea...its in your blood.
Now I understand the importance of running a background check on all applicants. You have to definitely trust one another with your life doing this job shid!!! 🙈💀
First time I've seen a video on youtube of someone climbing a crane where they are actually going to operate it lol.
Most operators like myself will use a rope with a hook at the bottom and I hook my book bag on so I can climb faster
@@stevenlopez5152 damn do you guys even get paid enough?
I operated those cranes for years and the most dangerous part of it was climbing the tower when it was in the winter when it was all full of ice.
How do you get them down when job is over?
james lynch I hope you have a huge retirement check, a great pension, good health and happiness. I hope you have more money than you know what to do with. Cuz that's what a person like you deserves. This is crazy to do. I couldn't do this to save my soul
Sean
With a big ass mobile crane.
Some cranes are self erectors as well, build and dismantle themselves.
Yes I worked on chairlift towers for 10 years. A hazard for us as well.
Read my reply at the top
Whoever engineered these dam cranes are pure genius!! I work construction and I'll find myself staring at them watching them sway side to side more than a f'n ft while picking up and moving thousands and thousands of lbs, got lots of respect for these operators cause without them there really is no construction for the majority of all trades, so I thank you Mr. Crane operator🤜🤛
You’d think they would invent an easier way to get inside of them lol.
Am doing it 27 years…gets boring. Find different career, thankless and stressful..💁
How is it thankless and stressful?
Used to wonder if I could do this job.
Watched this video, wonder no more.
Nope.
Nope.
Nope
deans0209 lol...me too They have tower cranes here where I work and I was thinking if I might have the guts to do this. After seeing this video I completely changed my mind! I’m not curious anymore.
@@nicolenicole001 so you became a truck driver?
deans0209 Yep...lol How did you know?
@@nicolenicole001 Lucky guess. Or my profession helped lol.
deans0209 lol
6:34 world’s longest, tallest, largest selfie stick.
Best shot of the Video!
LMAO😂
I waa thinking the same exact thing!
😂😂😂
Mad props to you. My students were learning about cranes and I showed this video to them. They really enjoyed watching your video.
Thanks a lot, hope my video helped your students
Where is everyone seeing my video posted? just wondering because it's gone from a few hundred views to 45k hits in the last few weeks.
Sidebar "recommended for you". RUclips picks the winning vids, no rhyme or reason that I can figure out.
jbtvt cool thanks. thought it might have been shared on a particular website sonewhere
las vegas
Probably reddit.
I saw people climbing cranes, then I looked it up cause I thought the people who work in them must be crazy and I was right
I'm 81 years and these Tower cranes were unheard of when I was a kid. Absolute brilliant video and I thank you for sharing it. If I was younger and wanted a job up there what sort of salary can one expect (after training of course} 1951 when I started work in a food shop I worked a 48 hour week for £2.10pence......lol
Nope, I’m OUT ! I don’t even like being this tall ! Every time he looked down, I felt like I was falling off the couch ! BUT, anyone who can climb this high, using slick, wet metal steps, carrying a sack in one hand, to get into a machine that loves to topple over, has my respect !! 😁
Long... Long way down...
I love the ground.. I really do.. I think I'll stay down here..
I liked this video very much. I am 66 now but I used to make my living erecting and climbing radio antenna Towers. I would very much like to see a video of your crew erecting and then disassembling one of these cranes from the ground up. Stay safe out there. Enjoy the Life & the view while it lasts. Your friend in Abilene, Texas.
Everyone on the street: "look at that guy working all the way up there" but in reality it's just a guy messing with his go-pro making RUclips videos.
lol at the end the jobsites prolly sayin, "theres malcom playing around with the crane again"
I do this every day the most scary part is when it's windy , it sways like hell .
I work around the sea side which is really prone to heavy winds it was impossible for me to operate today
Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
You guys get paid decent ?
@@renwhite1809 I don't know about the US but here here in Europe you can make up to 3k euros a month
In Switzerland you can earn more but the cost of living is very high
3k for risking your life and that kind of responsibility ? Wtf
@@abdulkarimbah3468 wow I didn’t expect that low of a rate, you can earn triple that in Chicago being an electrician. No thanks
Wow!!!! Thanks for sharing, awesome video!!! Much respect to you guys in that line of work!!!
climbing always is lit af
loooooooooool
Armando Cornejo hjko
I dont think you need to be scared of heights to be afraid of this. Props to crane operator everywhere, you are a special breed
Now that's a Selfie Stick!
Jay White haha
Wow!! Much respect for what you do everyday..the skill and balls you have to have to do this.
Could you imagine being in one of these bad boys when they topple over? That's a Loooong fall
Back in 1986 one did but with a half dozen guys killed dropping a few hundred feet. you can look it up. on youtube.
We had a 7.1 earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand (2011) and think we had some working from the September 6.4 earthquake of 2010
one fell in NY last year..killing.one..I was there the day after..while they were hawling.the damaged pieces away....
Va HOSS @
Va Hoss. Witnessed one at Monument in London. One of the concrete weights landed on a car killing old boy. Nothing left of car. Part of crane crashed onto roof of one building and was wedged but crane driver was killed also. Lucky not any others as busy area. Will never forget that day. Never do i want to see thst again. There was another one not too far from this one and about 6 people killed on that one. That was a few years later but i did not see it thank god. Was on news. David
I was an overhead crane operator but the highest one I ever ran was about 4-5 stories. That even makes my butt clinch some. Hope they have a small porta-potty up there. Long way down to take a leak
I WANT THIS LIFE SO BAD!!!! Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Just put it in mist mode
1 MILLION VIEWS!!! INCREDIBLE!!!
Thanks to everyone who has watched and commented
Beautiful footage too Malcolm. Nice work
Over 1.16 million now! You're famous. Feed us more of this amazing content! Thanks!
Soooooooo...how can you finish a shift after dragging them balls of steel up those stairs??
what do you guys get paid for this work dude? well done and deserve every penny.
What's the average pay in the U.K, please
Living in Bude,I watched the crane being assembled on the old St.Hillary site,just a few feet from my house,and watched the disassembly some weeks later. Seeing those guys walking on the boom while it was traversing was almost heart-stopping. I must admit,I said a prayer for those chaps,because they have a lot of nerve and courage. The crane is in Spain now.However,I shall always remember the time it was here.
MUCH Respect for this PROFESSIONAL!
Used to work at a feed supplement mill. Our main leg was 110 feet, candle tanks were 140. Always wanted to try higher, cranes, high steel, window cleaning, etc but never got the chance. Video gives a sense, but without the movement it's not the same. Thanks for this. Couple camera bobbles woke up the bellyflies.
I was mad in thinking things had improved more ergonomically for you lads in this age. Good job well done
I missed that kind of work.. 25 years overhead crane operator....Great Days Great Days..
Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
I wouldn't even go up to the base of that thing let alone climb it. Much respect.
It's not a straight climb. There's partial steps. Duh!
Does this crane have a toilet all day is a long time.
I have a huge fear of heights and climbing ladders, you sir are amazing being able to do this stuff
I’m always amazed those flimsy towers can hold themselves up much less a load.
They have counter weights for the massive amounts of weight being put on the ends.
@Dave Pawson Noooooooo Shit
Much less my load
I know there's counter weights, but what does that mean when there's no weight on the jib? surely the weight on the rear of the crane needs to be countered with something? Why doesn't it 'tip backwards'?
They’re bolted to a concert pad too
Respect to you mate , I can’t imagine even climbing into that small space every day
There is a whole lot of nope going on there....
Massive respect to all you crane operators I couldn't do that job I was getting light headed just watching it
Even after being a crane operator for a few years, it still scares the sh*t out of me knowing only a few bolts in the concrete hold me in place.
Would you recommend joining a union to get into this field? Im a newly certified NCCER operator based in New Mexico looking to get closer to where the action is. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
@@marcocorrea4834 YES join a union if you can. Better pay, you get to vote on what happens in the union, you can request better housing allowance, paid lunch breaks, access to better training, free apprentice programs etc
@@nicolomarchillo4451 Thank you for the advice, brother! I've been looking into Local 12 in Las Vegas. Perhaps you've got another option that would be worth taking a look at? If not, that's cool. You've been helpful! Stay safe!
@@marcocorrea4834 I'm a truck driver but looking to do this instead how do I go on about that
@@captaincrunch8303 you can look up online a local union near and see if there taking applications
Fascinating angles and perspective!!
Thanks!!
It's a old Liebherr crane, one of the greatest. I used to work on that crane and you know what? I really miss that! Currently I work on Terex Comedil new crane from 2013 and it's garbage compared to this Liebherr. There is a huge difference between speed,control and everything.... If you are good crane operator on liebherr you have full controll so Malcom I ENVY you !!
BTW. I usually climb with bag so it's normal I guess :)
Mad Dan yes a lovely old crane, the oldies will always be the best. drive her as hard and fast as you can. 70m stick, no computers. I'm in my element with these old dinosaurs
The Sun cranes are the worst in my opinion. Liebherr are the best. German are the best.
man!!!! i am a tower crane and hoist electrical technician... my favorite part of my job, its when i get to see this beautiful landscapes. Amazing!!!!
People who climb and work at such heights are truly amazing and i have upmost respect for them...
Iron workers are just nuts....sitting on the edge of a beam eating lunch....
I fix these things, often while they are being operated, no biggie. They are fun to run as well although they are really quite simple as compared to a ground crane. It's mostly knowing your limits and learning to react with the machine to keep it all smooth.
Yall ever get that tingling feel in your toes well watching this video I had that
My hands and feet always sweat
the tingle ain't in my toes I'll tell ya that much
@jessi I thought I was the only one. It feels like my balls are free falling
This video literally nauseated me!!! Climbing up a ladder a zillion feet up in the air with the added bag in your hand!!! You are one fearless man!!!! Holey Toledo!!!
Great video. Thank you for sharing. Much respect for the job you do. Cheers
Tower cranes have always amazed me! It just looks like they should always topple over....lol!? Thank God, most of them don't...! Awesome stuff, Brother!
You can have that job
memyselfand ifarmer right lol
Dang height gives me some fear tbh
Incredible video who would have known how scary working up there truly is also amazing on how it balances the way you have balls of steel. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Haha thanks
Great video and I learned a lot, very brave and hope anyone who's in these jobs gets big wage packet.
There's something you don't see everyday. Great Video Thanks for sharing
Many years ago a friend was offered a chance to train as a tower crane driver for a huge increase in pay. He went up the tower once and went back to driving a J.C.B.
Always fancied doing this but watching the vid I dont think I could. That climb looks terrifying!
Unbelievable how he made it all the way up there with such giant balls.
dazhibernian uu
I do it every morning😫
Ibrahim Soblaban im teying to become a crane operator, how do u start?
Nooo. The ones with the balls are the ones that put them up. As an Ironworker, I've put up a few.
Funny....
I amazed on how those things are strong eneogh to stay up and not topple so easily even with strong winds, my respect to you sir for having balls of steel!
Wow!!! Mad respect for you guys!! Whew!! I have pea sized balls compared to y'all!!!!
Nice view from mount argus south Dublin well done lads those appartments are nearly finished but out of my price range
You guys should have a harness while climbing up.
Edit: I would be scared shit less if I were up there. It must be hard operating the crane 🏗
No need to wear a harness pal unless walking out on the front jib. It's a crazy old alright
I logged in just to thumbs up the video and thank you for showing us the views of your job. Although mine is higher and louder, yours is a more peaceful one. Now I know what a tower crane looks like inside the cab. A lonely job it seems. Thankfully I have a pilot to talk to.
Days like this it was the best job I've ever had.
Rainy, snowy and stormy days, not so much....
Thanks for uploading. ❤️
Much respect to them guys ,and that's why they make the big bucks .
Thanks for the video. Some commentary would have been nice, like telling how the jib starts to drop at the end when you are lifting heavy stuff like a concrete skip; the sway when the wind gets up; and the wonderful sounds of those slew motors when you crank them up - and look down to see the tower twist with the torque reaction. I drove them (drove - operate, same difference) back in the seventies; a big Babcock, a Stothert & Pitt on rails (with a 90° bend half way along - that was challenging!) both at Bitcham Newton training centre. Then Lindens on site. Great stuff.
That shot when you mounted the GoPro to the trolley is EPIC
I think having a paper route as a kid was just as exciting....I've got stories!!!
Climbing the tower is already dangerous not to mention being up there a full shift.respect to these operators.
No safety harness while outside the cab? Here in the USA we’ve gotta be tied off fully if you’re more than 6 feet above grade and not in the enclosure (cab).
There are osha approved guard rails on the crane, all cranes have them the only time you need to be tied of was in the basket on the trolly, or outside the guard rails.
Notice there’s a landing every 10ft or so, I think that counts
we can walk the counter jib and climb the apex without a harness unless theres no gaurd rails
is it safe climbing that ladder?
Cool stuff. Cheers from Newfoundland, Canada
OMG, I could never climb that thing I’d freeze up with fright - just watching this my heart is racing....
Same here.
Thanks to your Go Pro I have thrown up twice now. My deepest admiration to the crane operators out there.
Short note to all the viewers, (this isn't my video but thought I would add to it) I spent 30 years in these things, tallest was just over 900'. Wind is the hardest thing you have to fight, we dread March and thunderstorms (I was hit by lightning 9 times in the crane and really felt it 4 times-the door and window was open)and believe it or not I have seen people get motion sickness in the crane-it really sways and moves around. And now for the question I was always asked-what do you do if you gotta go, well for me I recycled my water bottles and for number 2 used a scented trash bag (in a bucket) then stuffed that into a freezer bag. Carry all the trash out everyday and throw it out when you hit the ground. You need 1000 hours operating a regular crane before you can learn these now, was different years ago.
I ran tower for a couple years, in a mobile now... We just needed to rig until the company we were with was gracious enough to sign our apprenticeship, then a little schooling and some hours in seat and rigging and you had your ticket! I enjoy mobile much more! Very nice to be able to move around on the ground! I do miss the morning views though
When I started my boss said that he never saw anyone stay with towers for more than 4 years, we damn near everyone stays in towers once they get there
@@matthew413 that is a killer view but personally I have to have my feet on the ground whenever possible.
I'm guessing roller coasters don't bother you? I don't know how you do it. I'm guessing wearing a GoPro while sitting at my desk all day in my first floor office probably wouldn't get as many views!
They're redoing the roof on my condo building. I'm on the 12th floor and the crane operator has an almost straight shot view into my kitchen window (except that the windows are reflective). It's fascinating to watch ... until that thing starts swaying back and forth by about a foot in either direction. Then it becomes 'laundry' time.
Digging the music in the cabin
I did not realize at 4:34 he was actually up higher, at the very top... wow. Total respect for these people.
Anyone else jump scare at 4:34?? Lmao
yes!!!! omg
4:33
yes holy fuck
I got weak knees as he started climbing, I noticed there was no safety hook I was expecting to hear the clicking of the hook as he climb through each section.
I knew it was coming and it got me 🤣🤣🤣
One of those recommended vids that pops up - you're like sure, I'll watch it, why not...
Where do they piss at?
I used to run a metal shredder about 5 stories high, we pissed over the side, but no one would be able to get sprayed..
PEDROBODEAN :] they have a toilet box with bags underneath they can rope down when full
I was wondering the same lol
Piss would evaporate before it hits the ground
Into a plastic bottle until full then bring it down with you, as for a 💩I'm 20 year's working with tower cranes and the driver has always stopped and climbed down to the toilet.
I hate heights, makes my palms tingle just watching the climb up. It takes all kinds to make the world go around!
Thanks... I am done with shitting my pants now... ha ha ha
lool
Glad the title says "snippet" because I almost assumed he worked on some 8 min/day planet where he woke up fully dressed at work.
I was wondering about the life of a crane operator on my many walks and then youtubes answered it. thanks for sharing!
I got some questions if you can answer them:
1. Bathroom?!!
2. what weather condition are you not allowed to work on?
3. what engine does the crane run on and what power?
4. what are the average age of crane operators? when do they usually retire?
5. any strange and interesting stories?
6. when are the times you hate this job? it looks like you enjoy it though.
7. Would you encourage your kids to be a crane operator?
8. what do you think would be a new crane technology that would really help your line of work?
9. How long was your training?
10. Working on high up there. do you have a different perspective on how you see the world?
U writing a book report?
Bathroom ?1. empty bottle
Weather condition? 2. Heavy rains and heavy wind do not work
3. Cran work with Electric power .
4..I think yung age better .
Wow !! Scared the crap out of me as i dont like heights. But brilliant. Thanks for sharing.
I'm not scare of ghosts, but this crane, hell no
Just the fact knowing you have to climb up the crane, no elevator, is exhausting enough! Then, feeling the crane swaying in the wind....Good Lord! I hate heights myself, and this unfortunately is a no for me.....but for those who do these daunting tasks.....GOD BLESS YOU!!
As a person who’s afraid of heights, this video gives me anxiety.
Did this job many years, they don't show the fun times when storms come up or when the ladder ices up in the winter. Generally the tower crane operators are the first to work in the morning and last to leave at night, you bring everything you might need with you in the morning or you do without. What is not mentioned is when a load is hoisted or the crane is swinging there is a great amount of movement. I knew and worked with many Iron workers that refused to be on the crane while it was working because of the movement. Worst part of the commute to work was the last 200". Two most important things to get used to were the movement and depth perception - but looking on the bright side Tower crane operators are the highest paid employees on the job site -( we are paid and we are the highest ).
Always respected the tower brothers,was on 110t crawler rig ,an we set up a tower on site,i was young then an climbed up to check it out heights din't bother me but standing behind operator did, man we was rockin an rollin! Bro running it said thats part of it,being a mobilcrane operator an before all the computer sht,where youd feel loads by seat of your ass, i made my mind to stay on good soild ground with the crawlers,retired after 42 years made a goodliving also
When anyone asks me if I'm afraid of heights I say no. It's the faling I'm not keen on.
i would not worry about the fall , its the sudden stop would be my issue
Seems to me that some enterprising soul would have come up with an electric winch such as you see on ATV's and mount it near the cab after the crane is up.
Using a safety vest/harness for the operator to wear with D ring type hook up to latch on the lift wire. Use a remote control device or hard wire switches at
the top and bottom. Would save a lot of wear and tear on knees and legs, especially for older operators.
Yeah or just haul your ass up there with the crane itself. By remote of course.
This is what you hear about 100 times a day on a construction site 2:26 LOL
When I was young, me and my friend's used to climb them and mess around in them all day long for fun.
What if you have diarrhea.
J Gileo You must think what you eat in the evening and teach your organism always to go to the toilet in the morning before you go to work. But if it still happens I use plastic bags. You should not even think about you have time to get down.
Shit in a bucket then send it down
operator brings hook to window loads waste in a bucket and sends down to the dogman to throw in the skip
Shit over the edge
Diapers
Seems like a fun job. You get to have a nice view of the area all day
Just watching this made me woozy... I want to know who attached the gopro to the crane like that, amazing video of it going out and back... good job!
God bless these operators! My testicles prohibite me from such employment 🤣
Cranes just seem very unstable to me..
"science"
How they hold up the mass: TRIANGLES.
I had to go out to the end of the jib (as you did) on our hammerhead crane as the sheave's inner bearing had collapsed right at the tip. I knocked the centre pin out and replaced the entire sheave. The height doesn't seem to bother me. btw can't understand what you were thinking when you dropped the trap-door on the white electrical cable, lucky you didn't slice it...although you are earthed, don't take risks up there...at 5:50.
The towers bolts are huge but don't let that settle your nerves we over tightened them with the machine supplied by Lheiberr, however the man in charge of the jump mis-read the torque settings and we put near double the required torque on the new tower section. This actually stretched the bolts considerably maybe over an inch or two, they possibly could have snapped. You could see a slight bow in the tower where the bolts were over tight, which I noticed after the driver on day one said something ain't right. Shutdown for weeks waiting on new bolts and tests, they were the first two hammerheads shipped to Australia. Darwin 1983-84.
Hey Charlie, thanks very much for your story pal. Just to put your mind at ease that cable was disconnected. Just laziness on my part for not ripping it out.
@@malcolmswan6576 yeah no worries nice to know no power in that cable... I guess it was easy to drop the hatch on the cable to cushion the slam , don't want loud bangs up there especially with a loadnon ;).. crane operators are good thinkers they always come up with a better idea...its in your blood.
you and those other crane operators ever have crane fights?
Also thinking of guys who climb TV towers to change a bulb....or doing maintenance on the antennas at the very top.
5:47 door looks like prone to ripping that power cord on the floor
Yeah lol
Thank you for the upload very nice video always wanted to know how you guys do that job hats off to you guys for doing this job
no way I'll be up there.great work
Great views of Mount Argus and the rest of Dublin from up there
Now I understand the importance of running a background check on all applicants. You have to definitely trust one another with your life doing this job shid!!! 🙈💀
There's probably a better way to bring your lunch than in your hand you're using to climb with. If that bag breaks, you could lose your lunch!
First thing I do when I get to the top, is time how long my spit takes to hit the ground 🤤