This video is what makes You-Tube so great, "to those of us who will never step foot inside a Tower Crane". Thank you,the commentary was like I was there. Excellent video !
Thanks for the video - I tell everyone that professionals make it look 'easy' and everything is fun for the first five minutes - after that it is just work - even operating a tower crane!
From working in the construction industry for over 30 years a good operator is worth their weight in gold. You don't realize it until you've had to deal with a bad one. I'm sure a good signal man goes a long way with you all too.
They are invaluable. I was working for a General Contractor that had lost their way with skill sets with regards to cranes. I was on a 21 story and had over 20 different signal people. I would be tense all day and roll over to a concrete forming guy that knew the deal and the tension would dissipate. It was the kind of thing where I'd roll off the edge of the building and the superintendent signaled "Hoist down easy". No idea why he was there, but here I am countering on the radio to who is essentially my boss, "Do you really want me to hoist down easy from 14 stories?" A poor signal person just puts me on edge as I'm waiting for the accident to happen that I can't see. Worst one for me was coming up and over the edge of a building with a pallet of paint strapped. I can see it deforming so it was a run to get over the roof so no one would get killed. Since I've left the seat years ago, it seems that lift directors and structural lifters have become less and less optional.
I don't know why I would enjoy watching someone I don't know do something I know nothing about in a place I don't know (apart from it USA) and doing something u would not get me doing.... No way. Thanks for upload... Was cool.
Tyler Brown contact your local IUOE Hall see what their apprentice program looks like. I’m in Local 12 here in SoCal. I came in as an HDR but now on the crane operating side. Union is the only way to go. You can start out as a yard kid to get your foot in. Spend some cash on your NCCCO cert. good luck
That was bad ass, dude! thanks for the vid. I used to rebuild equipment that required use of a little 20,000lb. hydro-crane. That was fun to operate and definitely an art form. Lotta props for what you do up there.
Nice video, been flagging for 3 1/2 years now, my dad and uncle are both tower crane operators, I have operated 3 times with the last time being alone for 4 hours on the worlds most expensive YMCA off of Preston Rd in Dallas. Thank you for making this video when I get my license I am sure your tuition will be utilized.
Most new tower cranes are similar to hydros in that you apply pressure to the controls and ease out of them to come to a stop. Prior to about 2005, they are a completely different animal. This is a 92 model and the force, timing and duration of each input becomes a second nature art form. It's a lot of fun getting up to speed with each model but it can also be very frustrating in the learning curves. Going from hydro to tower, dealing with the torque in the tower will be the biggest change.
Going back to old school without a computer has been good for my depth perception. I get used to having radius indicators and end up memorizing too much versus having a good eye for it. Having a good bellman is a huge plus.
Generally, the only cranes that have moving counter-weights are luffing tower cranes where the boom raises and lowers, and gigantic tower cranes like Kroll K10000's. Most lean back to their maximum moment design. When you apply weight to the hook, it just leans forward to either plumb, or to it's maximum forward moment. On some tall cranes, this might be 1 metter back, and 1 meter forward which means the operator can sway 6 feet. Quite fun on those cranes.
Great video, I am a Tower Crane Operator in NYC. The only one thing I don't like about my job is my phone bill every month other than that stay safe. "Safety first"
Man, all of the advice I want to give. Yeah, I'm pretty relaxed. It took a while until I was able to 100% relax. Some stress during break-in is good. You should be overwhelmed an pushing yourself, but very attentive to all details. Not only for safety, but to pick up all of the little tricks like the lay of the slings or shadows telling you if you are centered. Getting the block 100% stable prior to hoisting up to get a read on it. Getting in tune with your bellman. It all takes time.
Idk if they realize that it's not that dangerous, but there ARE a few dangers to consider. First of, don't be afraid of heights, tower cranes routinely cross the 300ft mark and even higher. Second of all, be in shape. There are platforms periodically on the way up and the ladder is encased in a cage, but still, get tired halfway and slip, and you'll be hurtin'. Probably not dead, because of the platform limiting how far you can fall, but hurt, bad. Wind is a danger too, but I'd say the most dangerous place to be is on the ground with all the weight swinging overhead. For the record, I'm not a construction worker of any kind, and I could be far from correct, but I watch a LOT of documentaries and things like that on big machines. Very interesting stuff. James Kingston's videos also helped me learn a lot about tower cranes just by watching the dude climb them.
The standard shift is 8 hours. You can find jobs with lots of overtime. 50 hours a week is pretty common, 60 is getting to be long for me. I just did a video walking around the crane as per your request. It went way too long, but the cab is a couple of minutes in if you wanted to just get to it then skip the rest.
We use mobile cranes that you might have seen driving down the road. Search for "Tower Crane Erection". In Europe you'll see many cranes erected short then "climbed" into position. In the US, we mainly erect them to the full height needed for the job. We climb them if the building will be taller than the crane can free-stand (usually 260' to 305') without external supports such as the building.
@White Mamba people always ask, how I became a crane operator. I give them an answer, construction worker, rigger,blah blah, but the truth is. I didn't do well at school, I like my job, but things could've been better. Hindsights a bitch.
@@MohamedGamal-oj7qs Depends on the company, but because training to be a tower crane operator and the potential risks and stress an operator has to go through, it can give a lot of money. Hell I drive a reach truck in a warehouse and I earn a lot more than average.
It's a GoPro 2. The Wingman is out now and is even less expensive with most of the same options and some advantages such as a good menu. Whole different manufacturer.
So I want to work in socks no shoes lol...I'm currently in the military as a logistics guy (box kicker/warehouse guy) but I definitely wouldn't mind doing this..of course I'd probably want to start lower in the crane department, but I could see myself as a tower guy...great video btw
WitX916 You'll want to start with signalling cranes and really learning that side of it. Most people never really learn that part even after 30 years. Timing and nuance is so critical to understand that if you don't learn that, you'd be dangerous as a crane operator. Then most people move into the boom trucks and small cranes then work up in size. I find running small cranes actually harder. But the skills you learn there translate fantastically to a tower then it's just a matter of getting used to the speed of a tower versus a truck crane. Good Luck! Depending where you live, if you have strong enough unions there, training is all free and great quality through the Operating Engineers and you'd make a good living.
There was another job close enough that I was picking up other radio traffic. I got good reception from the job without it but lost reception of the other traffic.
Your rigger radio is missing it's anntennae(sp?) Nice crane. I've operated the 316 and 630 EC-H. THe 316 had heat sensored hurst style levers and frequency drive trolley.The 630 was a monster! 11,000 lbs at 287 ft.
Thats the W.G. Clark crane. I see it all the time. Just finished a project in the U-district with the red potain and another right next to safeco field using a liebherr 550 litronic
I couldn't hardly see what he was looking at, but then these old eyes aren't what they used to be. I imagine having hawk vision would be a prerequisite to this job.
Most cranes like yours, would have a counter-weight of concrete blocks behind the driver: are these moveable....in and out ? to counter the different weights on the jib.
honest it is very easy to catch up.. very nice bro,,, thanks for sharing skills, please my question is there are two gears there and which is the gear for leaf thing up and to put it down and which is to control in an out and which is to move around like? please may you make another video please?
A few angles to take. One option would be getting into a different union as a rigger. Sometimes they come from Carpenters, Laborers, or Ironworkers. But there is the hazard of not getting the work you want and being trapped, or at least feeling trapped. It can be like the military that way. Wanted to be a crane operator, but I push a broom all day. You can go to a school like Morrow's and get a license. That will up your value, but you are spending maybe 10k to make it happen. If you show up with a license, the union will have the choice to sign you up. or watch you go to a non-union competitor. Assuming many realities in life, you can also start with a non-union company and work towards your license. A mobile crane supplier is one way. Some general contractors hire their own operators and riggers. This would avoid the trap of another union. Once you are working non-union and you have a license, the union would fall over itself to get you under their agreement. I'm sure I'll get hate for the suggestion, but that's a reality based solution. They can't hope for loyalty until they agree to take care of you. Sorry it's not going the easy way for you.
Liebherr and potain do it. I'm sure others do too but usually the crane has to be very tall..(over 300ft) or have a large blind section i.e. behind a building
I am an Ironworker currently working a job with the 2 tallest free standing tower cranes in the US and neither have cameras on the block. One stands 400ft other is right at 300ft.
If you are asking about the screen, I don't recall my preference. I want to say it was the third screen on the 2005 to 2015 generation. I'm not sure I've ran a crane newer than that. I've stopped operating. I own cranes and elevators now.
I am considering a career with Tower Cranes. I went to College for 2 years to study Business, dropped out and now I work with concrete. I live in the UK and there are 10 day courses you can do to become a qualified tower crane operator, however I feel 10 days is probably not long enough before going out on site? Especially given how unpredictable our wind can be. Currently we are battling storm Erik. And I imagine it's a lot harder to operate these machines with high winds. What would be your best advice for someone looking to start in this field? If there are better suited courses in the states - I would not rule out travelling there. Many thanks
Winds make running the cranes far more difficult. The load on the crane booms increase dramatically based on the surface of the load. You can run to 72 kph with most cranes if you are pouring concrete. If you have flying walls, that might be 25 kph, or less. The problem with training is that you have to put it into action. The honest assessment is that 10 days cannot even give you 10% of what you'll need to know to run a tower crane. I don't say that to be rude to the places trying to help improve safety with training. I train people how to rig and signal cranes in an eight hour class. My government says what needs to be in the class. I give a lot of good information in there, but it's woefully inadequate. At the same time, contractors are usually not going to allow for more time. The best way to get into a seat from a training perspective is to work your way up from the field. You'll be best served if you know how things hook up. What they are called. The process the guys on the ground need. The sequencing of installation. It sounds silly, but if you swing over to where things are and recognize each step before it's even asked for, production will go up by 10-15%. When you can make corrections before it's asked for because you know what's needed, it's probably another 5% and people love you for it. But if you don't have that experience, well, you probably shouldn't do anything unless you are asked. Start on a small crane on a slowed paced job. In the US, it would be wood framed apartments. In the UK, it would likely be with a self erecting crane on a brick job. Chase the hook with the remote and you'll quickly learn how to be smooth and why it's easier for everyone if you are smooth first and fast later. Smooth and accurate is incredibly valuable. Some guys focus on speed. It's needed, but if it comes in accurate and smooth, it's quicker on the handling side. That's my general advice to start. Remote, do the rigging, be a part of the building, then move up to a short crane seat and work up. Take mental notes of what goes next. Old timers can hop in a seat and know what's next 30 minutes into the day. Smooth, accurate, then fast. Best of luck.
Awesome to see you operate the crane in socked feet! Is this common practice in the industry, or something you do as personal preference and taking advantage of lack of close supervision? (Just curious)
That's funny. I think everyone who worked under me always knew that I was in socks. The white feet on the glass is a give away. Most safety folks would agree that there isn't a hazard to be concerned about in a crane cab. I would often wear shorts up there in the summers too. My reasoning is that I don't want stinky feet from just leaving them in shoes. I don't want dirt on the glass. And I just want to be comfortable. I keep a clean cab as an operator. What's more common than socks is slippers. Some operators have pig sties as cabs. Others of us want it to feel like home.
Excellent! I prefer working with no shoes too - even though I'm in an office. I think it promotes a less stressful and overall healthier environment. Kudos!
Wish I could send some your way. Working in New Zealand would be a great way to get Americans travelling more. We're too busy here for me to suggest losing anyone. After the Christ Church earthquakes when I was still and operator, I pondered the idea of moving and working in New Zealand myself.
@@rotyag hahaha, yeah nobody wants Christchurch, riggers and welders are driving at the moment, they ain't happy but if the cranes stops, everybody stops.
Another job I wish I could do. I don't see how it could be done without a radio- yes, I heard the radio in this video but his signalman couldn't possibly use hand signals that far away.
Bottles. The days can be long in a tower crane. You will need to urinate. People that have to poop often will have camping style toilets. Women often choose this option. But if you have an issue where you aren't regular, this wouldn't be the job for you.Probably the most common question I get about my job is about the bathroom.
I was up in a tower for the first time for training and it's something you have to get use to. My local provides all the training I want do you have any advice for me to feel more comfortable and confident.
Heights are just something you have to get used to. Eventually you only focus on what you are doing. But to be fair, I started as an ironworker. So getting into a cab feels very comfortable for me. I think that you might just need to do it repeatedly until it feels natural. It's normal and healthy to be uncomfortable with heights. if the movement of the crane is the concern, I would say that a properly maintained and erected crane is extraordinarily strong. The minimum design factor for a static load is that the load cannot be more than 63% of the toppling capacity. when you add in wind and live loading it's at 77% of it's ultimate failure. So your load chart is saying the crane is maxed out, but you really have a safety margin of another 50% if you are static. Of course there will be some live loading. The point is that the cranes are really over-designed even though they move a lot. In my days of erecting cranes, erecting a PECCO (old blue and white cranes) at 300' on loose bolts lets you know how much they will flex. They were sickening to look down those old towers. You could see 4-5 feet of bend before you tightened the bolts. I've heard stories of the old Linden's twisting towers 1/8th of a turn on an old swing brake test method. I guess what I'm saying is that I've seen some stuff. What we see in the field everyday... meh. It does take some getting used to. If you run the crane safely trying to avoid shocks, you'll be fine. You'll get used to the threshold of the cranes bending. I've been in an overloaded tower crane (nearing 130%) due to a computer failure.and there was no question about something being wrong no matter what the LMI screen was displaying. "Why am I staring at the ground and the boom at the same time?" Good luck. just keep exposing yourself to it and focus. Eventually you won't care about anything but the rhythm and being sure you are clear of obstacles, smooth, accurate, fast, and safe.
***** Funny enough last year i moved into skydiving. Tandem from 4000 meters. Then doing the progression to get licensed I climb out on the wing strut. All systems normal, release to go into an arch and my mind goes blank. I come to under canopy. Do it two more times with better control each time but not normal. I conclude that I've worked so long at heights ignoring the threat of falling that the initial overwhelms my brain and it shuts down. I think that I could break past it but what if I have a highspeed while moving past the problem? I decided to give it up rather than push through. Funny how that works. Bouncing crane... meh. The do point downwind. This allows the crane to lean back into the wind and survive 160 mph winds.
+Dan Rhone Some modern cranes have AC built in. It gets hot in direct sunlight up there. Most of them don't though. I just bought one and made sure to have it. I'll let the best operators fight to run my crane. Some guys buy aftermarket systems and give up the space for the comfort of cool air.
I once operated an SGME tower crane it was made in Belgium and that had a movable ballast, The jib didn't have a trolley, The whole jib used to slide across the tower and the ballast would travel the opposite way to counter balance it, I believe there were only ever two in the uk 1960s operated by a company called Trentham
Hours for operators depend on the job and the speed with this the schedule is. Commonly for wood frame construction in the US, I'm used to 50 hour weeks. For highrise construction, 60 to 70 hour weeks are common. Early starts like climbing a crane at 5 AM is normal in a downtown core. if you are in the smaller areas, usually the noise ordinances dictate how long and early you can work. The hours are demanding. The pay is pretty acceptable for not being a professional or great at sales. Best of luck.
+DeathTheKiid30 That is exactly the path I took. Here's the deal. Some ironworkers are really just garbage at signalling a crane. They will tell you otherwise. The secret to knowing the difference is simple. Do they look up? If they don't know to look up, they have no idea what they are really doing. Those guys looking up and calling the crane, have them show you the dance. There is a rhythm to it and it all happens over our heads. As a greenhorn apprentice, don't get too into it. Focus on learning the basics of your tasks and busting your ass. Show interest in the prints until you find someone to help you there. Once you can read prints and show you know the basics, someone will give you a chance to shine or fail. Then you'll be at a point to show what you know about cranes. When you can signal, you are ready to learn how it's done from the crane seat. I sat behind anyone who would give me the time of the day. Crane operators can't help but want to tell you why they are the shit. Take advantage of it. Give up a couple hours of your free time. Each crane runs differently and you should see it in action from behind the seat. Then you'll be on your way to getting a seat. Especially if you can become a professional signal person for a while. That's the progression. Signal people are important on the site and to the job. You can be a second year apprentice that is more important than all but one or two other ironworkers on the site. You can make well over 100k without any injuries like carpal tunnel. Work the entire job. Watch the rod busters come in, fade away and then watch the structural boys come in and go away. Longer jobs, more important, more money, no injuries and eventually you can get a seat. Get the basics and then fight to become a signal person. Show the operator and talk to him. If you get to know what you are doing, he may request you and the rest will be over. Best of luck.
+DeathTheKiid30 get your NCCCO certifications via a school (expensive). Learning the controls is easy, understanding load charts/ osha/amse safety codes and crane physics is the hard part. Being any heavy machinery operator is a skilled trade and not for everybody. There is a lot of risk and responsibility and you could hurt/kill someone or yourself or cause expensive damage with one wrong move.
Learn about the lifting gear, chains, strops, snatch blocks, lifting techniques. Unit weights, (weight estimation)even from the ground catch every swing, be aware of your surroundings,eg: people,scaffolds, where you are standing (don't squash yourself) If you can show me that, you can come up top. In New Zealand and Australia, its called a Dogman. Look on RUclips for crane dogman.
I don't think that 41 is too old at all. I came through the union trades in the US as an Ironworker, Crane Erector/ signal person (I believe that in the UK you would use the term "banksman"). This taught me how to be aggressive and accurate. Not to mention being comfortable with the cranes. When I was ready to take a seat, I took the time to sit behind good experienced operators to get the tricks of the trade. Do this for multiple types of cranes too because they all run a little differently. The downside of the job is often longer hours and you are somewhat irreplaceable. Calling in sick is not an option. But you do get treated well for this. You are alone up there. Sometimes it's boring. Other times it's overwhelming. And the sweating you'll do on the first job... oh man! But it will soon just become what you do and the only pressure I ever feel is in the decision to shut down due to weather. I'm a little too willing to push the envelope. We operate through unions over here so I'm not sure that I have specific advice. We have a different system. If I were to move to the UK I'd call up the crane hire companies and ask how to break in. It might take a few phone calls until your break through, but someone will take your call and give you a direction. Vertikal.net might be a good start on sourcing those Crane Hire companies in Europe. Good luck. Ask me anything any time. I hope that I can be of use.
Learn how to flag first, study how the loads act under different circumstances, learn to show up early and stay late. The crane operator will be the first one on a job and the last one to leave, every day pretty much.
+Leo Tapp varies greatly. In the Seattle area, the wage package should be $55 per hour. You have some union/non union differences and then you have to figure in overtime. $80,000 per year is a normal amount on the check. I've heard of guys cracking $200,000. In New York 200,000 would be a common wage.
I've noticed and just about every single operator videoperator video in Asia and including this one that the operators don't wear shoes in the cab. Is there some kind of unwritten rule that you can't wear shoes in the cab?
In most of Asia, you don't walk into living spaces with shoes on. In my case, sitting in boots all day just leads to smelly boots. You are also walking on a dirty jobsite into a crane. If you wear those same boots, now you have to clean multiple times a day unless you want to try to see through the dirt on the glass. Those are my motivations anyway.
@@rotyag Sensible explanation. Thanks. It makes sense. I wonder why this doesn't extend to excavator operators? I always wear my boots when I run an excavator.
@@basspig You are getting in and out of an excavator and you have foot controls. The cabin of a tower crane is larger so there is walking around for various reasons, but you can avoid the dirt. And tower crane operators are looking down through glass at their feet, so the need to keep that clear is there where you don't have that motivation. I have a couple of mobile cranes at my yard and I am always in boots when I jump in those seats. A tower crane is one of those places where you are there for 12 hours at a time.
@@rotyag very interesting distinction. So it's a bit like being at home, because of the duration spent there. Sheesh, the place ought to be equipped with a bath and kitchenette. LOL
Any UK people here? I really want to get into this work however the training is £1000 - £2500 and I'm not sure how much available work there is out there. Anyone know anything?
Guys take up bottles to urinate. Most women use a camping toilet. I would suggest that you shouldn't take this job if you aren't regular when it comes to defecating. It's not uncommon to not get breaks on fast paced jobs. The crane will swing for 12 hours and the only time it stops is to pee. And even then, if someone sees it not moving, they will start calling on the radio because they think it's free for them and they want to jump in line. I got in the habit of turning off the radio so I could pee in silence.
Your answer to the dump is yes m8 .!! Ex Banksman / driver .!! Pissing in the rain is always the best .!!! Who can tell the difference from piss and rain when it's hitting u from 30 meters up :)
Cameras are available. They are cool for being sure you are clear and speed up highrise operations. But if you watch the "Hanging Iron" video, that is pretty much all blind work. I can't see what is going on because they are 300 feet below me and the concrete elevator core is in the way. So if you watch my eyes, I'm looking at the rope speeds. Then I'll look over to the computer and see weights, radius and elevations. Then I might look up to the horizon to be sure my swing is stopping like I want it to. Blind work, especially at the speed you'll see there, has to be done with operators and signal people that really know what they are doing. A lot of operators and signal people, even guys with decades of experience, are just getting by. Being really dialed in for ironwork and 40 story buildings takes a lot of paying attention and thoughtful aggression. Not only are you listening to each instruction, but you can picture exactly what they are doing without being told so you give them what they are looking for without the advantage of vision. It's a bit nuts.
Eh... I have been at it long enough that I don't recall all of the stages. I had phoned cranes at 200 meters (660') before I took a crane seat. I was calling all of the shots and I was, and am, a crane erector, so I know the details from the far side of the hook very well. And then I took the time to spend many days just hanging out in the cabs of the best operators before I took a chair to learn various techniques. Conceptually I might be able to claim to be a natural, but I have ran across cranes that had me struggling to figure out for days before. Sometimes the timing and speeds of cranes aren't intuitive. I think that today I make it look super easy. But there were many years between learning what a tower crane was to where I am today. I watch guys with ten years of experience who run everyday, but they don't really get it. If a person wants to be really good, you have to work with really good people who expect a lot of you, and you have to expect a lot of yourself. It can always be better. True for me at this stage as well. Good luck on your process.
+Gaytor Rasmussen thank you for the reply I am a total rookie thinking about switching trades, I currently operate heavy duty class a rotator trucks, medium duties etc hazmat certified as well but this has always intrigued me living in LA watching all the buildings coming up. I'm going to try to get into this industry
My channel should have one called walk around a tower crane, or something to the effect. It has some jib walking and looking down from the tower top. It seems to have good effect on people.
This video is what makes You-Tube so great, "to those of us who will never step foot inside a Tower Crane". Thank you,the commentary was like I was there. Excellent video !
And those of us who determine to operate them
yup
Thanks for the video - I tell everyone that professionals make it look 'easy' and everything is fun for the first five minutes - after that it is just work - even operating a tower crane!
yehhh
amazing video. Always wanted to see the cockpit view of these cranes . Thank you for sharing
yeh nice
From working in the construction industry for over 30 years a good operator is worth their weight in gold. You don't realize it until you've had to deal with a bad one. I'm sure a good signal man goes a long way with you all too.
They are invaluable. I was working for a General Contractor that had lost their way with skill sets with regards to cranes. I was on a 21 story and had over 20 different signal people. I would be tense all day and roll over to a concrete forming guy that knew the deal and the tension would dissipate. It was the kind of thing where I'd roll off the edge of the building and the superintendent signaled "Hoist down easy". No idea why he was there, but here I am countering on the radio to who is essentially my boss, "Do you really want me to hoist down easy from 14 stories?" A poor signal person just puts me on edge as I'm waiting for the accident to happen that I can't see. Worst one for me was coming up and over the edge of a building with a pallet of paint strapped. I can see it deforming so it was a run to get over the roof so no one would get killed. Since I've left the seat years ago, it seems that lift directors and structural lifters have become less and less optional.
I don't know why I would enjoy watching someone I don't know do something I know nothing about in a place I don't know (apart from it USA) and doing something u would not get me doing.... No way. Thanks for upload... Was cool.
Looks and sounds like a true professional. Great to see.
Good Show, I always ran the 80 to 150 Ton truck Cranes down on the ground
Looking up at you guys all day, never been up in one though.... 👍👷♂️🏗
Rob Fraley how did you get started? In the union or no?
Tyler Brown contact your local IUOE Hall see what their apprentice program looks like. I’m in Local 12 here in SoCal. I came in as an HDR but now on the crane operating side. Union is the only way to go. You can start out as a yard kid to get your foot in. Spend some cash on your NCCCO cert. good luck
Thank you for sharing this. I have been watching one today and always wondered what it was like from the operators perspective. Very interesting!
visit me
That's my dream job. Cranes have always fascinated me. Great video!
Very cool video, I used to date a crane operator, very hard working guys, thanks for sharing.
Hard working guys ? 😂😂😂💀
@@lifeofacarpenterbridgebuil3487 Yep, especially when they work 10 + hour days. Ever run a crane? There's a lot more to it than sitting.
That was bad ass, dude! thanks for the vid. I used to rebuild equipment that required use of a little 20,000lb. hydro-crane. That was fun to operate and definitely an art form. Lotta props for what you do up there.
Nice video, been flagging for 3 1/2 years now, my dad and uncle are both tower crane operators, I have operated 3 times with the last time being alone for 4 hours on the worlds most expensive YMCA off of Preston Rd in Dallas. Thank you for making this video when I get my license I am sure your tuition will be utilized.
Love the old school Liebherr!!! The Litronic is a nightmare!
And thanks for sharing. It was a interesting visit :)
the last time I operated a crane was on the mission of the mines at GTA San Andreas …. Great Video!!! Thanks 🙏🏽
Literally a video on everything....I did not think I needed to see what it's like to operate a tower crane. But I'm hooked now
Most new tower cranes are similar to hydros in that you apply pressure to the controls and ease out of them to come to a stop. Prior to about 2005, they are a completely different animal. This is a 92 model and the force, timing and duration of each input becomes a second nature art form. It's a lot of fun getting up to speed with each model but it can also be very frustrating in the learning curves. Going from hydro to tower, dealing with the torque in the tower will be the biggest change.
Love the no shoes, got your Starbucks coffee,great view very cool video, well done.
Going back to old school without a computer has been good for my depth perception. I get used to having radius indicators and end up memorizing too much versus having a good eye for it. Having a good bellman is a huge plus.
If a guy leaves his boots on it gets dirt everywhere. I prefer to be comfortable. I'm often in shorts too.
As an old rodbuster, much respect to most of you
This is great im doing my CPCS Tomorrow and wanted a little look what it looks like in a crane and some of the functions.
Thanks for the Video :)
The coolest part about watching an operator is watching how fluid the motions are when doing lifts. I bet you could just do it with your eyes closed
First view from a crane! Nice touch with the controls. Thanks for posting this.
haha
Thanks sir, i think I’m ready now to use my tower crane in my yard
Generally, the only cranes that have moving counter-weights are luffing tower cranes where the boom raises and lowers, and gigantic tower cranes like Kroll K10000's. Most lean back to their maximum moment design. When you apply weight to the hook, it just leans forward to either plumb, or to it's maximum forward moment. On some tall cranes, this might be 1 metter back, and 1 meter forward which means the operator can sway 6 feet. Quite fun on those cranes.
Great video, I am a Tower Crane Operator in NYC. The only one thing I don't like about my job is my phone bill every month other than that stay safe. "Safety first"
nice to meet you best greets :D
send some pics at our ch...
hearing the tower crane moving make me going goosebumps .
Cool perspective of inside the crane
Man, all of the advice I want to give. Yeah, I'm pretty relaxed. It took a while until I was able to 100% relax. Some stress during break-in is good. You should be overwhelmed an pushing yourself, but very attentive to all details. Not only for safety, but to pick up all of the little tricks like the lay of the slings or shadows telling you if you are centered. Getting the block 100% stable prior to hoisting up to get a read on it. Getting in tune with your bellman. It all takes time.
so basically if you want to sit in a chair and play a video game (a really awesome video game) but IN REAL LIFE become a crane operator
It's a dangerous job? how so?
Idk if they realize that it's not that dangerous, but there ARE a few dangers to consider. First of, don't be afraid of heights, tower cranes routinely cross the 300ft mark and even higher. Second of all, be in shape. There are platforms periodically on the way up and the ladder is encased in a cage, but still, get tired halfway and slip, and you'll be hurtin'. Probably not dead, because of the platform limiting how far you can fall, but hurt, bad. Wind is a danger too, but I'd say the most dangerous place to be is on the ground with all the weight swinging overhead. For the record, I'm not a construction worker of any kind, and I could be far from correct, but I watch a LOT of documentaries and things like that on big machines. Very interesting stuff. James Kingston's videos also helped me learn a lot about tower cranes just by watching the dude climb them.
hhahaa
The Stoned Parrot "Not that dangerous"?
Operating any crane is very dangerous. That's what I do.
plainwornout3 how do you get started in it?
We can’t use hammerhead cranes in NYC for obvious reasons, but you seem to be a good operator. I could work with you anytime. NYC Ironworker here.
Thanks Brother. I started out of Local 86 in Seattle. I own a company signatory with Ops and Ironworkers these days.
rotyag if I ever boom out to Seattle, I’ll be glad to ask the Hall if you have any work 👍
Great videos! I am getting ready to start training to be a tower crane operator.
sure why not
The standard shift is 8 hours. You can find jobs with lots of overtime. 50 hours a week is pretty common, 60 is getting to be long for me. I just did a video walking around the crane as per your request. It went way too long, but the cab is a couple of minutes in if you wanted to just get to it then skip the rest.
been wondering how people operate a tower crane for 3 years, thanks
I have operated some large machinery and I hate heights... This is horryfying. Great video. :D
We use mobile cranes that you might have seen driving down the road. Search for "Tower Crane Erection". In Europe you'll see many cranes erected short then "climbed" into position. In the US, we mainly erect them to the full height needed for the job. We climb them if the building will be taller than the crane can free-stand (usually 260' to 305') without external supports such as the building.
That's my favorite height to operate from nice video nice go pro as well wouldn't be as nice without a badass camera make another one I might
this looks like a fun job to do but i'm terrified of heights. my dads a construction worker and he keeps trying to get me into doing this.
it is amazing :)
You get used to it.
@White Mamba people always ask, how I became a crane operator. I give them an answer, construction worker, rigger,blah blah, but the truth is.
I didn't do well at school, I like my job, but things could've been better. Hindsights a bitch.
@Globalizmas - Keiksmažodis is this job getting me a good money?..
What's the average for the money i will take from this job?
@@MohamedGamal-oj7qs Depends on the company, but because training to be a tower crane operator and the potential risks and stress an operator has to go through, it can give a lot of money. Hell I drive a reach truck in a warehouse and I earn a lot more than average.
Great video! Keep em comin
Considering the construction economy in Alberta where I live, I think I might consider this as a backup occupation.
It's a GoPro 2. The Wingman is out now and is even less expensive with most of the same options and some advantages such as a good menu. Whole different manufacturer.
wow!!! 🤔 working in your socks that is very safe work habits 😂😂👊👊
That lime green Jeep at 2:37 is so sick!
I can see my house from here?! Wait, who the hell is that in my backyard?
theylied1776 LOL
Awesome video, very cool. Thank you!
awesome. always wondered how you guys communicate.
thx fot the video
with talkiwalkie :D
Please upload more these videos are sick
check out best greets
So I want to work in socks no shoes lol...I'm currently in the military as a logistics guy (box kicker/warehouse guy) but I definitely wouldn't mind doing this..of course I'd probably want to start lower in the crane department, but I could see myself as a tower guy...great video btw
WitX916 You'll want to start with signalling cranes and really learning that side of it. Most people never really learn that part even after 30 years. Timing and nuance is so critical to understand that if you don't learn that, you'd be dangerous as a crane operator. Then most people move into the boom trucks and small cranes then work up in size. I find running small cranes actually harder. But the skills you learn there translate fantastically to a tower then it's just a matter of getting used to the speed of a tower versus a truck crane. Good Luck! Depending where you live, if you have strong enough unions there, training is all free and great quality through the Operating Engineers and you'd make a good living.
Sorry that I missed the comment. Yes, 20 metric tonnes to 20 meters or so. We are using this crane for the 80 meters of reach primarily.
Nice video! Enjoyed watching it!
very cool video..always wanted to see from that prospective
There was another job close enough that I was picking up other radio traffic. I got good reception from the job without it but lost reception of the other traffic.
Your rigger radio is missing it's anntennae(sp?) Nice crane. I've operated the 316 and 630 EC-H. THe 316 had heat sensored hurst style levers and frequency drive trolley.The 630 was a monster! 11,000 lbs at 287 ft.
Thats the W.G. Clark crane. I see it all the time. Just finished a project in the U-district with the red potain and another right next to safeco field using a liebherr 550 litronic
I couldn't hardly see what he was looking at, but then these old eyes aren't what they used to be. I imagine having hawk vision would be a prerequisite to this job.
I recognize this landscape. The building by greenlake with the new pcc.
Most cranes like yours, would have a counter-weight of concrete blocks behind the driver: are these moveable....in and out ? to counter the different weights on the jib.
honest it is very easy to catch up.. very nice bro,,, thanks for sharing skills, please my question is there are two gears there and which is the gear for leaf thing up and to put it down and which is to control in an out and which is to move around like? please may you make another video please?
If I want to get into this how do I go about doing it, I tried with my local union for apprenticeship and didn’t get in how would I start then?
A few angles to take. One option would be getting into a different union as a rigger. Sometimes they come from Carpenters, Laborers, or Ironworkers. But there is the hazard of not getting the work you want and being trapped, or at least feeling trapped. It can be like the military that way. Wanted to be a crane operator, but I push a broom all day. You can go to a school like Morrow's and get a license. That will up your value, but you are spending maybe 10k to make it happen. If you show up with a license, the union will have the choice to sign you up. or watch you go to a non-union competitor. Assuming many realities in life, you can also start with a non-union company and work towards your license. A mobile crane supplier is one way. Some general contractors hire their own operators and riggers. This would avoid the trap of another union. Once you are working non-union and you have a license, the union would fall over itself to get you under their agreement. I'm sure I'll get hate for the suggestion, but that's a reality based solution. They can't hope for loyalty until they agree to take care of you. Sorry it's not going the easy way for you.
@@rotyag thanks I appreciate the advice
This has got to be a good paying job
Hello Lakhvir! Does ARAMCO have a lot of use for tower cranes or mostly truck cranes and crawlers?
they should put a camera on the snatch block then you would have a birds eye view of the load even down shafts are stuff
the newer cranes do actually have cameras on the trolly
tosspot1305 Which manufacturers are doing that? Or are you referring to aftermarket cameras?
Liebherr and potain do it. I'm sure others do too but usually the crane has to be very tall..(over 300ft) or have a large blind section i.e. behind a building
ur crazy
I am an Ironworker currently working a job with the 2 tallest free standing tower cranes in the US and neither have cameras on the block. One stands 400ft other is right at 300ft.
Hi, what are the best settings in the Likas board computer of a lieberr towercrane…? thanx
If you are asking about the screen, I don't recall my preference. I want to say it was the third screen on the 2005 to 2015 generation. I'm not sure I've ran a crane newer than that. I've stopped operating. I own cranes and elevators now.
Super video! Thank you veru much!
Maximal lifting capacity 20 metric tonnes?
been a crane operator for six months now and I make $23 a hour. Miami, fl
Albert Bringas that's it?
I am considering a career with Tower Cranes. I went to College for 2 years to study Business, dropped out and now I work with concrete. I live in the UK and there are 10 day courses you can do to become a qualified tower crane operator, however I feel 10 days is probably not long enough before going out on site? Especially given how unpredictable our wind can be. Currently we are battling storm Erik. And I imagine it's a lot harder to operate these machines with high winds. What would be your best advice for someone looking to start in this field? If there are better suited courses in the states - I would not rule out travelling there. Many thanks
Winds make running the cranes far more difficult. The load on the crane booms increase dramatically based on the surface of the load. You can run to 72 kph with most cranes if you are pouring concrete. If you have flying walls, that might be 25 kph, or less.
The problem with training is that you have to put it into action. The honest assessment is that 10 days cannot even give you 10% of what you'll need to know to run a tower crane. I don't say that to be rude to the places trying to help improve safety with training. I train people how to rig and signal cranes in an eight hour class. My government says what needs to be in the class. I give a lot of good information in there, but it's woefully inadequate. At the same time, contractors are usually not going to allow for more time.
The best way to get into a seat from a training perspective is to work your way up from the field. You'll be best served if you know how things hook up. What they are called. The process the guys on the ground need. The sequencing of installation. It sounds silly, but if you swing over to where things are and recognize each step before it's even asked for, production will go up by 10-15%. When you can make corrections before it's asked for because you know what's needed, it's probably another 5% and people love you for it. But if you don't have that experience, well, you probably shouldn't do anything unless you are asked.
Start on a small crane on a slowed paced job. In the US, it would be wood framed apartments. In the UK, it would likely be with a self erecting crane on a brick job. Chase the hook with the remote and you'll quickly learn how to be smooth and why it's easier for everyone if you are smooth first and fast later. Smooth and accurate is incredibly valuable. Some guys focus on speed. It's needed, but if it comes in accurate and smooth, it's quicker on the handling side.
That's my general advice to start. Remote, do the rigging, be a part of the building, then move up to a short crane seat and work up. Take mental notes of what goes next. Old timers can hop in a seat and know what's next 30 minutes into the day. Smooth, accurate, then fast.
Best of luck.
@@rotyag👍
So cool!
Awesome to see you operate the crane in socked feet! Is this common practice in the industry, or something you do as personal preference and taking advantage of lack of close supervision? (Just curious)
That's funny. I think everyone who worked under me always knew that I was in socks. The white feet on the glass is a give away. Most safety folks would agree that there isn't a hazard to be concerned about in a crane cab. I would often wear shorts up there in the summers too. My reasoning is that I don't want stinky feet from just leaving them in shoes. I don't want dirt on the glass. And I just want to be comfortable. I keep a clean cab as an operator. What's more common than socks is slippers. Some operators have pig sties as cabs. Others of us want it to feel like home.
Excellent! I prefer working with no shoes too - even though I'm in an office. I think it promotes a less stressful and overall healthier environment. Kudos!
lol
Cause we dont want to get dirt and stuff off boots on the glass bottom floor.
Most all operators do that, my dad and uncle sure do, I am pretty sure I will as well.
Very cool video
Building boom here in New Zealand at the moment, cranes waiting for operators.
Wish I could send some your way. Working in New Zealand would be a great way to get Americans travelling more. We're too busy here for me to suggest losing anyone. After the Christ Church earthquakes when I was still and operator, I pondered the idea of moving and working in New Zealand myself.
@@rotyag hahaha, yeah nobody wants Christchurch, riggers and welders are driving at the moment, they ain't happy but if the cranes stops, everybody stops.
Another job I wish I could do. I don't see how it could be done without a radio- yes, I heard the radio in this video but his signalman couldn't possibly use hand signals that far away.
Bottles. The days can be long in a tower crane. You will need to urinate. People that have to poop often will have camping style toilets. Women often choose this option. But if you have an issue where you aren't regular, this wouldn't be the job for you.Probably the most common question I get about my job is about the bathroom.
Is there schools that I could check out that you or anyone knows about? I currently have my CDL license and was thinking about doing this as well.
Is there a ladder to go in and out on the tower crane
Nice video 👍
Noticing a Jeep 300' away. You must own one.
What are the shifts for a tower operator? Could you do a vid of the cab
I was up in a tower for the first time for training and it's something you have to get use to. My local provides all the training I want do you have any advice for me to feel more comfortable and confident.
Heights are just something you have to get used to. Eventually you only focus on what you are doing. But to be fair, I started as an ironworker. So getting into a cab feels very comfortable for me. I think that you might just need to do it repeatedly until it feels natural. It's normal and healthy to be uncomfortable with heights.
if the movement of the crane is the concern, I would say that a properly maintained and erected crane is extraordinarily strong. The minimum design factor for a static load is that the load cannot be more than 63% of the toppling capacity. when you add in wind and live loading it's at 77% of it's ultimate failure. So your load chart is saying the crane is maxed out, but you really have a safety margin of another 50% if you are static. Of course there will be some live loading. The point is that the cranes are really over-designed even though they move a lot. In my days of erecting cranes, erecting a PECCO (old blue and white cranes) at 300' on loose bolts lets you know how much they will flex. They were sickening to look down those old towers. You could see 4-5 feet of bend before you tightened the bolts. I've heard stories of the old Linden's twisting towers 1/8th of a turn on an old swing brake test method. I guess what I'm saying is that I've seen some stuff. What we see in the field everyday... meh. It does take some getting used to. If you run the crane safely trying to avoid shocks, you'll be fine. You'll get used to the threshold of the cranes bending. I've been in an overloaded tower crane (nearing 130%) due to a computer failure.and there was no question about something being wrong no matter what the LMI screen was displaying. "Why am I staring at the ground and the boom at the same time?"
Good luck. just keep exposing yourself to it and focus. Eventually you won't care about anything but the rhythm and being sure you are clear of obstacles, smooth, accurate, fast, and safe.
Thanks for the reply it's greatly appreciated. Great advice I'll keep working on trying to get seat time .
***** Funny enough last year i moved into skydiving. Tandem from 4000 meters. Then doing the progression to get licensed I climb out on the wing strut. All systems normal, release to go into an arch and my mind goes blank. I come to under canopy. Do it two more times with better control each time but not normal. I conclude that I've worked so long at heights ignoring the threat of falling that the initial overwhelms my brain and it shuts down. I think that I could break past it but what if I have a highspeed while moving past the problem? I decided to give it up rather than push through. Funny how that works. Bouncing crane... meh.
The do point downwind. This allows the crane to lean back into the wind and survive 160 mph winds.
sure
Where's the steering wheel and do you have AC up there ?
It's a very tough job especially doin it from over 200 feet high. Do those crane operaters have AC up in the control room??
+Dan Rhone Some modern cranes have AC built in. It gets hot in direct sunlight up there. Most of them don't though. I just bought one and made sure to have it. I'll let the best operators fight to run my crane. Some guys buy aftermarket systems and give up the space for the comfort of cool air.
I once operated an SGME tower crane it was made in Belgium and that had a movable ballast, The jib didn't have a trolley, The whole jib used to slide across the tower and the ballast would travel the opposite way to counter balance it, I believe there were only ever two in the uk 1960s operated by a company called Trentham
Very good you make a video
Awesome video. I'm nearly 17 years old and am thinking of getting into construction. If I may ask, what are you working hours?
Hours for operators depend on the job and the speed with this the schedule is. Commonly for wood frame construction in the US, I'm used to 50 hour weeks. For highrise construction, 60 to 70 hour weeks are common. Early starts like climbing a crane at 5 AM is normal in a downtown core. if you are in the smaller areas, usually the noise ordinances dictate how long and early you can work. The hours are demanding. The pay is pretty acceptable for not being a professional or great at sales. Best of luck.
sure join
Working in his socks ... Damn must be easy ahaha
it is :)
I'm about to start my career as an ironworker this week how hard would it be to learn to operate cranes like this?
+DeathTheKiid30 That is exactly the path I took. Here's the deal. Some ironworkers are really just garbage at signalling a crane. They will tell you otherwise. The secret to knowing the difference is simple. Do they look up? If they don't know to look up, they have no idea what they are really doing. Those guys looking up and calling the crane, have them show you the dance. There is a rhythm to it and it all happens over our heads.
As a greenhorn apprentice, don't get too into it. Focus on learning the basics of your tasks and busting your ass. Show interest in the prints until you find someone to help you there. Once you can read prints and show you know the basics, someone will give you a chance to shine or fail. Then you'll be at a point to show what you know about cranes.
When you can signal, you are ready to learn how it's done from the crane seat. I sat behind anyone who would give me the time of the day. Crane operators can't help but want to tell you why they are the shit. Take advantage of it. Give up a couple hours of your free time. Each crane runs differently and you should see it in action from behind the seat. Then you'll be on your way to getting a seat. Especially if you can become a professional signal person for a while. That's the progression.
Signal people are important on the site and to the job. You can be a second year apprentice that is more important than all but one or two other ironworkers on the site. You can make well over 100k without any injuries like carpal tunnel. Work the entire job. Watch the rod busters come in, fade away and then watch the structural boys come in and go away. Longer jobs, more important, more money, no injuries and eventually you can get a seat. Get the basics and then fight to become a signal person. Show the operator and talk to him. If you get to know what you are doing, he may request you and the rest will be over. Best of luck.
+DeathTheKiid30 get your NCCCO certifications via a school (expensive). Learning the controls is easy, understanding load charts/ osha/amse safety codes and crane physics is the hard part. Being any heavy machinery operator is a skilled trade and not for everybody. There is a lot of risk and responsibility and you could hurt/kill someone or yourself or cause expensive damage with one wrong move.
Learn about the lifting gear, chains, strops, snatch blocks, lifting techniques. Unit weights, (weight estimation)even from the ground catch every swing, be aware of your surroundings,eg: people,scaffolds, where you are standing (don't squash yourself)
If you can show me that, you can come up top. In New Zealand and Australia, its called a Dogman.
Look on RUclips for crane dogman.
@@dalemehana4726 nah bro dogman is as low as it gets. Advanced riggers can do it all
@@rotam8680 you guys don't have lifting gear, it belongs to the crane crew.
Great video
very nice very tidy operating, im from ireland and hoping to become a tower crane operator can you give me some advice im 41 am i too old
I don't think that 41 is too old at all.
I came through the union trades in the US as an Ironworker, Crane Erector/ signal person (I believe that in the UK you would use the term "banksman"). This taught me how to be aggressive and accurate. Not to mention being comfortable with the cranes.
When I was ready to take a seat, I took the time to sit behind good experienced operators to get the tricks of the trade. Do this for multiple types of cranes too because they all run a little differently.
The downside of the job is often longer hours and you are somewhat irreplaceable. Calling in sick is not an option. But you do get treated well for this. You are alone up there. Sometimes it's boring. Other times it's overwhelming. And the sweating you'll do on the first job... oh man! But it will soon just become what you do and the only pressure I ever feel is in the decision to shut down due to weather. I'm a little too willing to push the envelope.
We operate through unions over here so I'm not sure that I have specific advice. We have a different system. If I were to move to the UK I'd call up the crane hire companies and ask how to break in. It might take a few phone calls until your break through, but someone will take your call and give you a direction. Vertikal.net might be a good start on sourcing those Crane Hire companies in Europe. Good luck. Ask me anything any time. I hope that I can be of use.
Gaytor Rasmussen Thanks a lot of that info. Very insightful.
Learn how to flag first, study how the loads act under different circumstances, learn to show up early and stay late. The crane operator will be the first one on a job and the last one to leave, every day pretty much.
What a great job, getting payed for sitting down! Not for you to take this personally, but how much does a crane operator get payed?
+Leo Tapp varies greatly. In the Seattle area, the wage package should be $55 per hour. You have some union/non union differences and then you have to figure in overtime. $80,000 per year is a normal amount on the check. I've heard of guys cracking $200,000. In New York 200,000 would be a common wage.
rotyag Wow! That is alot more than i though it would be! Do you know the sort of wage in the UK though?
+Leo Tapp union tower operator working year round will hit around 120000 in Atlanta. plus around 30-40000 in benefits.
awesome11991 Damn! Never knew a job like this could earn so much!
I make $23 a hour in Miami, FL but I get endless ot. I've also only been doing it 6 months.
I've noticed and just about every single operator videoperator video in Asia and including this one that the operators don't wear shoes in the cab. Is there some kind of unwritten rule that you can't wear shoes in the cab?
In most of Asia, you don't walk into living spaces with shoes on. In my case, sitting in boots all day just leads to smelly boots. You are also walking on a dirty jobsite into a crane. If you wear those same boots, now you have to clean multiple times a day unless you want to try to see through the dirt on the glass. Those are my motivations anyway.
@@rotyag Sensible explanation. Thanks. It makes sense. I wonder why this doesn't extend to excavator operators? I always wear my boots when I run an excavator.
@@basspig You are getting in and out of an excavator and you have foot controls. The cabin of a tower crane is larger so there is walking around for various reasons, but you can avoid the dirt. And tower crane operators are looking down through glass at their feet, so the need to keep that clear is there where you don't have that motivation. I have a couple of mobile cranes at my yard and I am always in boots when I jump in those seats. A tower crane is one of those places where you are there for 12 hours at a time.
@@rotyag very interesting distinction. So it's a bit like being at home, because of the duration spent there. Sheesh, the place ought to be equipped with a bath and kitchenette. LOL
Any UK people here? I really want to get into this work however the training is £1000 - £2500 and I'm not sure how much available work there is out there. Anyone know anything?
Alberta. Come to Alberta.
Where is the antenna for your handy talky?
I was getting interference in the distance. Qas nice and clear without it.
What do you do or what does any crane operator do when you have to go to the bathroom?
Guys take up bottles to urinate. Most women use a camping toilet. I would suggest that you shouldn't take this job if you aren't regular when it comes to defecating. It's not uncommon to not get breaks on fast paced jobs. The crane will swing for 12 hours and the only time it stops is to pee. And even then, if someone sees it not moving, they will start calling on the radio because they think it's free for them and they want to jump in line. I got in the habit of turning off the radio so I could pee in silence.
u have to go down or to pie in a botle :D
What's the going rate for crane operators?
Your answer to the dump is yes m8 .!! Ex Banksman / driver .!! Pissing in the rain is always the best .!!! Who can tell the difference from piss and rain when it's hitting u from 30 meters up :)
looool
Where about is it ? I had a look but I couldn't find it,What is it listed under?
Cool video!
I have a question, what is the height of your cabin in this video?
48 meters. 160 feet.
rotyag Thanks for fast reply.
when you can't see the end of your line is there a camera on the end of your line?
Cameras are available. They are cool for being sure you are clear and speed up highrise operations. But if you watch the "Hanging Iron" video, that is pretty much all blind work. I can't see what is going on because they are 300 feet below me and the concrete elevator core is in the way. So if you watch my eyes, I'm looking at the rope speeds. Then I'll look over to the computer and see weights, radius and elevations. Then I might look up to the horizon to be sure my swing is stopping like I want it to. Blind work, especially at the speed you'll see there, has to be done with operators and signal people that really know what they are doing. A lot of operators and signal people, even guys with decades of experience, are just getting by. Being really dialed in for ironwork and 40 story buildings takes a lot of paying attention and thoughtful aggression. Not only are you listening to each instruction, but you can picture exactly what they are doing without being told so you give them what they are looking for without the advantage of vision. It's a bit nuts.
awesome video, how was your first time up in the crane that high? or were you a natural?
Eh... I have been at it long enough that I don't recall all of the stages. I had phoned cranes at 200 meters (660') before I took a crane seat. I was calling all of the shots and I was, and am, a crane erector, so I know the details from the far side of the hook very well. And then I took the time to spend many days just hanging out in the cabs of the best operators before I took a chair to learn various techniques. Conceptually I might be able to claim to be a natural, but I have ran across cranes that had me struggling to figure out for days before. Sometimes the timing and speeds of cranes aren't intuitive.
I think that today I make it look super easy. But there were many years between learning what a tower crane was to where I am today. I watch guys with ten years of experience who run everyday, but they don't really get it. If a person wants to be really good, you have to work with really good people who expect a lot of you, and you have to expect a lot of yourself. It can always be better. True for me at this stage as well.
Good luck on your process.
+Gaytor Rasmussen thank you for the reply I am a total rookie thinking about switching trades, I currently operate heavy duty class a rotator trucks, medium duties etc hazmat certified as well but this has always intrigued me living in LA watching all the buildings coming up. I'm going to try to get into this industry
70Meters
Can I see the outside tower crane ground pls
My channel should have one called walk around a tower crane, or something to the effect. It has some jib walking and looking down from the tower top. It seems to have good effect on people.
I was a tower crane operator. But two years ago I was almost killed in a fatal accident. So I had to retire on 25 years of age
Great video...what city where you working in for this?
That's the north end of Seattle.
ok thanks