large crane operators...

I've noticed a majority of crane operators are quite overweight!

Every click a different pic!
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...watch people work . Tough job . where's the application ?

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What is your question...or comment... I dont get the post. Are you looking for a job application?
 
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I've noticed a majority of crane operators are quite overweight!


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The operator I use the most, and he is awesome, weighs in between 375 and 400lbs, I would say.
 
They got it way better than a climber . This guy shows up , in a million dollar ride . Gets out looks where he has to be , jumps back in , and sets up camp lah dee dah . The chair and controls are top of the line . The life of a King . I'm just jealous . When they bring two crews of men just to set up your day , you've reached the top of your game.
 
That mans obviously got some talent if hes running a rig that big. What is that a 250T? Nice ride!

I dont care how Tall, fat, short, skinny, ugly, smelly, old, young, my crane operator is. So long as he is flawless in his picks!
 
I am not in the arborist business, but have been running medium size boom trucks for the last 8 yrs, I'm coming up on 5,000 hrs of general all around work experience,mostly trusses and what I can say about the biz is that it can be a bit more stressfull then it appears to the guy at the end of the hook. Being telepathic,having x ray vision, and having the ability to read minds while performing hand eye coordination manuvers for a full 8 hrs. or more, all while standing in an area the size of a telephone booth, makes for a full day. Thats on the bad jobs of course, the good ones, working with experienced crews sure make life easier for the crane operator. I have not noticed the fat operator syndrome, but I have noticed all the ones I know are pilots, long time experimental catagory backwoods /off airport landing type of pilots. Like about 95% of them.
The K boom without a doubt would seem to offer the most advantages to your line of work, if you can afford the admittance price. A wireless remote is a great tool, I had one on my second 3470. A 14K option but worth every penny. A modern LMI is the only way to go, if your crane operator doesn't have one he's running pretty old equipment. They are such an advantage its hard to go back to just a load chart. A working anti 2 block, the first thing usually lacking on a beater crane operation, is also a must. I use AW Direct for my rigging needs, fast service and a wide varity of products awdirect.com I especially like using endless slings as compared to traditional slings, the endless ones last longer as you are not putting all the stress in the same place everytime.
The sales pitch:
I bought my 17 ton Terex 3470 new in Dec of 2005, it now has 19 k miles, and 1600 hrs on the crane. It has never been a rental or on lease, this is my second one, I have been the only operator, its been kept under cover when not in use and still looks like new. The largest they can put on a single axle truck, you only have about 3 k load capacity if you have to go over scales, and it better be as far forward as it can be. I fabbed a 2 " removable ball hitch for towing a trailer or my beater Soob, its real nice having your own transportation at the jobsite. I also carry my motorcycle for the same reason, a front wheel rack and flush mounted chain tie downs on the bed make it easy to secure. It has a Sirius am/fm/cd sound system with removable outdoor speakers by the operator stations, oh yeah........ Removable sideboards and 2 4' tool boxes for rigging under the bed, dunnage racks on each side, also under the bed, front frame hard points for blocking up allow a 360 degree load chart. Its on an IH chassis with a 6 banger IH engine, 6 speeds, an engine brake, cruise and air, also an air ride drivers seat. Its red and had that big shiny IH grill, it looks damn sharp. 70' of stick with 40 of two part jib. It'll go out 90'+ with a light truss. Its small enough to not bust up driveways but big enough to do a lot of work. I paid 109 K with all the taxes etc Located in SE Idaho, 85 K or best offer.
Thanks for the call back Wade! I'm going to wander over to the hanger and go take some aerials of last Fridays pick, a free service I offer my customers.
Tom Simko (145 lbs)
 
Nice!! I know that if I ever did anything besides tree work, it would be equipment operation, i.e. cranes, excavators, loaders, etc. I know my Dad has a long time friend who does alot of karate (He was my Dad's teacher when he lived in Colorado) and they still keep in touch. He's moved on to excavators now and he's been doing it for awhile. Says the tracked machines never wear you down as much as a wheeled. He said the wheeled machines just abuse your body, day after day.
 
One good thing about full time booming: when I get up in the morning and drive to my crane yard, all I need to remember is to bring the keys, everything I'll need is onboard, its real simple that way. One bad thing:if the crane has one thing wrong I am totally out of business until its fixed, thats one reason I like a new/newer rig.
Tom
 
Since last Tuesday , I've worked with a 300t , 23t , 35t ... the 300t operator was the only job I envied. 35 and below your setting the table and cleaning it too.
 
Well, every size crane has its sweet spot for sure, I love the jobs where mine is just right...easily doing something a smaller one couldn't comfortably. Last time I saw a 300 ton at work (Mullen Crane here in Idaho, www.mullencrane.com, they do lots of windfarms, I think they have a 1000 ton unit!!) it was backed up to the local mall, I mean 2" away, he wanted it close! They told him 10k at 100',(HVAC unit) and it was 150' and 15K, and he couldn't reach it. They had to winch it over. I guess they needed a 350 tonner.
Tom
 
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