Crane work is so amazing if done the right way. Things to think about in my opinion:
- communication - i would not want to to a cranejob without my Senas. We speak all the time with the crane OP (more tention, less tention etc.). And also great for telling jokes while the boom is comeing back
- What are you good for? I shoot for 50-60% of what the crane is good for. Couple of times it has saved my ass. And even if the crane is next to the tree, maybe you have to put the piece down somewhere far away. Whats the crane good for at that point?
- Whats smarter at that jobsite - going big or maybe takeing medium or small picks. Sometimes it easy to pick big, but its a pain to lay it down.
- I like using shelf and V-cuts. Make the cut, get out of he way and then pick it. Much more safer.
- Roundslings for wood. I use a roundsling with a shackle+2 fat deadeyes as balancers for my picks. Put the roundsling in place, get the slack out, tie the balancers, pretention the slings with the crane, and then untie myself off the crane. So you can adjuste the slings if theres need for it. If you have something like the teufelberger crane kit, its even easyer (i dont have one, cause its a pain to get it here).
- Rather estimate on the high side then on the low
- Always watch out where you put the crane and the outriggers. Whats going on under the ground...
- Take your time. Dont let anybody put pressure on you.
Good luck with it. Would be good if someone could teach you face to face. I wouldnt like to do a cranejob without proper training. Cause if something goes wrong, it goes wrong big.
