Vent: Had to choose between a crane and a big rigging job on a tight city lot

Last Thursday in Portland, we had a massive dead elm in a backyard with maybe 10 feet of clearance from the house. The choice was a 50 ton crane for $2,500 or a full day of complex rigging with my 5 man crew. I went with the rigging to save the client money. We got it down safe, but it took us 9 hours and my foreman's arms were jelly by the end. Anyone ever regret NOT calling the crane when you had the chance?

3 comments

3 Comments

felix8241mo ago

Man, that's the kind of call that haunts you halfway through the job. My back hurts just reading about it.

sammoore1mo ago

Haunts you? Come on, it's just moving some boxes. People make a big deal out of basic labor.

spencerm4614d ago

You ever tried one of those harness lifts that takes the weight off your lower back? I had a similar call a couple years back, moving an old piano up three flights of stairs. We rented one of those strap setups and it saved my spine. Felt silly strapping in at first, but halfway through I was thanking whoever invented it. Might be worth looking into if you get more of those heavy jobs.