With increasing industrialization, using heavy onsite equipment and machines is very important to achieve productivity and efficiency (sciencedirect.com, CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF SUSTAINABLE ONSITE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, 2014).

Heavy machinery and other similar instruments are regarded to be necessities at most construction sites, without which it can be very difficult to carry out specific tasks and construction-based activities. Now, in case of high rise buildings and other structures, workers need to lift such machinery at great heights, so that the machines can be used via an in-situ basis. Hoisting up of these machines can be efficiently done by using different types of heavy lifting equipment. Few examples of such machines are rod climbers, strand jacks, building cranes, elevator systems. Using this equipment can prove to be highly beneficial to businesses, and would definitely ease the pressure on workers while they operate complex machines. The following points briefly few factors, which should be considered by businesses before investing in heavy lifting equipment.

Requirement

Before selecting and buying any specific heavy lifting equipment, businesses need to properly gauge the exact requirements and other similar factors. Requirement depends on the type of load handled, weight, accessories used, and so on. For example, to build tall structures made out of wood, one does not need to make use of specialized heavy lifting machines, which are meant for lifting materials that have more weight than wood. Instead simple crane lifting equipment may suffice for this job. In contrast, while building complex and huge structures such as bridges, skyscrapers, and towers, etc., there may be times when machines made from metal need to be lifted at great heights. In this case, lifting equipment such as strand jacks and rod climbers are the most appropriate ones to use.

Exposure to External Elements

There might be times when businesses need to construct structures in remote faraway places, where there might not be normal and conducive weather conditions. Most machines are made up of metals, metal alloys, and few may partly or wholly consist of wood. If such machines are exposed to harsh weather elements, they may start to get deteriorated due to development of effects such as rusting, sagging, cracking, denting, etc. These ill-effects may be caused due to increase in moisture and humidity and other similar aspects, as a result of bad weather conditions. To avoid such issues, businesses should invest in heavy lifting equipment that comes with protective measures such as powder-coated machine surfaces and rust-resistant plating, etc. Proper protection of sensitive lifting equipment with the help of external items such as tarpaulin covers, water-repelling covers, and others also needs to be carried out. Businesses should also avoid conducting extensive construction activities that require use of heavy lifting equipment, when harsh weather conditions are active around the construction site. Before buying heavy lifting machines from jacking equipment suppliers, businesses should check whether such equipment comes with resistance characteristics.

Overall, these are some of the basic factors which businesses should keep in mind before investing in heavy lifting equipment for construction activities.

“The above opinions are purely a reflection of the author’s point of view. They do not reflect the position of Bygging Uddemann.