TIL my crew hit 100 removals this year without a single crane job.

Everyone around here acts like you need a crane for big work. We just finished a huge silver maple in a tight city lot. Old growth, maybe 80 feet. Did it all with rigging and a bucket. Took three days, but the bill was half what a crane would cost. The homeowner saved a ton. I think cranes get pushed too hard. They are not always the answer. Sure, they are fast. But the skill is in the rigging. Anyone else feel like cranes are overused for removals now?

3 comments

3 Comments

aaronlee2mo agoMost Upvoted

Exactly. That old school rigging skill is becoming a lost art. Feels like some companies just default to the crane for the billable hours, not because it's the right tool.

claire9582mo agoTop Commenter

My buddy's crew had to move this huge old printing press last year. The boss wanted to bring in a crane, but their lead rigger took one look and said they could walk it out with pipes and jacks. Saved the client a fortune. Took all day and some real sweat, but they did it. That guy just retired and they don't have anyone who can do that stuff now.

gracejohnson2d ago

Blew out my back just watching a video of that printing press move. Makes me appreciate those old timers even more while I ice my spine.