Transport and erection
Preparing the site for crane erection
Written by The FORTZA team Published:
The short answer
What must be prepared on site before a crane is delivered and erected?
Before erection, agree the crane position and the pre-erection documentation, prepare the base or foundation (for a tower crane), make sure trucks and the mobile crane have access and there is stable ground for unloading, have the power and earthing connections ready, and check the site rules: other cranes, slewing over the street or neighbouring buildings, and the permits required.
A crane delivered to an unprepared site means days of rent paid without work. Erection starts long before the trucks arrive: with a checklist that the client and the supplier go through together.
1. Crane position and pre-erection documentation
The crane position is chosen on the site plan so that the jib covers the working areas and loads can be taken to the radii needed. The pre-erection documentation describes the crane configuration, its position, the requirements for the base or foundation and the erection conditions. Preparing it is one of the costs that should appear in the offer.
2. Foundation or base
- A tower crane needs a foundation or base sized for the chosen configuration. The foundation is built and must reach the required strength before erection. It is a very important item and a significant cost.
- A self-erecting crane needs no poured foundation; it stands on a base with counterweights, on level, stable ground.
The supplier gives you the slab dimensions and the steel parts that must be fixed.
3. Access for transport and the mobile crane
The components arrive on dedicated trucks. Check:
- the access route to the crane position, including gates, bends and any weight or city-access restrictions;
- stable ground for unloading, where the truck can stand;
- room for the erection mobile crane, for a tower crane.
The FORTZA transport team sends clear instructions on preparing the unloading area.
4. Power and earthing connections
The crane must be connected to the power supply, at the power the model requires, and to the earthing system. The connection must be ready for erection, otherwise the tests cannot be carried out.
5. Site and neighbourhood rules
- Are there other cranes on site? Their working areas must not overlap dangerously.
- Does the jib slew over the street or neighbouring buildings? Check whether this is allowed.
- Which permits are needed for erection and for occupying public space?
6. Erection day
The erection team unloads and positions the components, assembles the crane and runs the operating tests. Careful planning gets the crane working in the shortest time. See a complete erection in the tower crane erection video.
Short checklist
- Crane position agreed on the plan, with pre-erection documentation
- Foundation or base ready, according to the requirements received
- Clear access for trucks and the mobile crane
- Stable unloading area
- Power and earthing connections ready
- Site rules and permits checked
Frequently asked questions
Who sets the size of the foundation?
The size and reinforcement of the foundation follow from the manufacturer’s documentation for the chosen configuration and from the ground conditions. The supplier gives you the requirements, and the foundation is designed and built by the contractor before erection.
How long does crane erection take?
It depends on the type and configuration: a self-erecting crane goes up much faster than a tower crane, which needs a mobile crane and the assembly of its sections. We give you the exact duration when we plan the erection.
Sources
- Crane erection – FORTZA.RO SRL
- Crane transport – FORTZA.RO SRL
- Crane rental – what you need to know – FORTZA.RO SRL
Useful links
General, indicative information. Crane erection, operation and inspections must be carried out only by authorised staff, following the manufacturer’s documentation and the applicable regulations (ISCIR in Romania).